Writing an appreciation letter to a company you’ve worked for can be tough. After all, you want to give appropriate thanks to the people who have helped you along the way, but there might also be some hard feelings from some of your coworkers and superiors about leaving your position.If you plan on leaving your current company, you also run the risk that your coworkers will receive the letter poorly and thwart any efforts you put towards receiving a good recommendation. If you want to show proper thanks, writing a letter of appreciation is a good way to go.Skip the hassle of writing an appreciation letter and use our letter of appreciation to a company templates. We’ll show you the best way to craft your message without hurting anyone’s feelings while showing genuine appreciation for what the organization has done for your career development.
Letter of Appreciation to a Company Template
Below is a letter Josh Walton wrote. Josh decided to leave his job because he received a better opportunity, but since he has been with his current company for several years and it was his first job out of college, he wants to be sure he shows the company he appreciates all they have done for his career development. He also wants to be sure this letter ensures his direct supervisor gives him a good recommendation as he moves forward.
Dear Bethany,
I’m writing to thank you for all you have done over the years for my career. When I first graduated, I was unsure of where my professional path would take me, and the guidance and support your company gave me over the years do not go unnoticed.
As I move on to my new position, I want to take a minute to express my gratitude to you personally for everything you have done to help me. I am grateful for the many opportunities I had to directly interact with customers, both over the phone and in-person, and develop relationships I will carry with me throughout the rest of my professional days. Thanks to the requirements of my position, I learned so much about how to interact with customers and identify client needs efficiently and to our company’s exacting standards.
In return for your support over the years, I hope you will refer any new employees in need of mentorship to me; I would be more than happy to give them tips and advice on how to be successful in their position.
I wish you the best and look forward to where Superior Consulting will go as it continues to thrive.
Thank you again,
Josh Walton
How to Write a Letter of Appreciation to Company
The purpose of your letter is to thank your former employers for what they did for you as an employee, offer something in return for their kindness, and ensure you leave without burning any bridges. As you can see from the letter of appreciation to a company template, An appreciation note should be carefully written so it comes off as sincere without emphasizing you are on to bigger and better things.
As you start your document, make sure you include your purpose for writing, which is to thank the organization for the opportunity they gave you. Keep this opening section short and concise, and do not stray far from the topic of showing your gratitude.
Second, you should mention what you enjoyed about your former position, whether you have formally resigned or not. Even if you did not enjoy every aspect of your job, find tasks assigned to you that you enjoyed or that provided you with helpful skills for the future.
Finally, close off the letter by offering something to the company in return for what they did for you. Keep who you are writing to in mind at this point, and If you cannot think of something to offer, emphasize how grateful you are to the business once again.
Showing your thanks is an important part of securing a positive reference for the future, even if you are more excited about what your new opportunity holds. Make sure you are not sarcastic and focus on the positive aspects of your former position so you do not leave on a sour note.
What to Avoid in Your Letter of Appreciation to Company
The biggest mistake you can make in your appreciation letter is to come off as insincere. Even if you believe your professional development was a result of personal efforts and not those of the company’s, you should still make an effort to show genuine appreciation for what you learned. If you have a hard time thinking of good things the company did for you, reflect on past experiences and how they bolstered your professional development.
Check to see that you do not include anything in your letter that is dishonest, but do not feel like you have to include anything negative. Also, make sure your document is clear as well as concise.
Keep the letter short and sweet, and refrain from including too much detail. A short expression of gratitude in a professional manner is all you need to encourage the company you used to work for to provide a positive reference.
How to Follow Up After Sending Your Letter of Appreciation to Company
In many cases, it is appropriate to schedule a face-to-face meeting after sending a formal letter. However, you should send a letter of appreciation after you give your formal resignation, so following up with the recipient is not required or necessary.
If you want to be sure the recipient received your letter, a quick phone call is all that is necessary. If you choose to do this, you can also use this conversation as an opportunity to request a reference. In many cases, the fact that you sent an appreciation letter secures a positive reference as you move forward with your next career step.
Top 5 Letter of Appreciation to a Company Writing Takeaways
1. Refrain from being too over-the-top
It is easy to name a number of experiences that helped you over the years, but only include one or two key instances that enhanced your career experience. This will keep your letter from being too long and sounding phony.
2. Skip the sarcasm
If you had a bad experience at your job, it is easy to sound sarcastic in your document. However, refrain from being sarcastic so you sound genuine and truly appreciative of what the organization did for you.
3. Offer something in return
While not necessarily required, it is appropriate to offer something in return for your company’s support. This can be anything from mentorship to giving future employees of the organization a positive review of what to expect.
4. Take note of the positive impact of your job
Your appreciation letter is the perfect time to mention what the business did for you professionally. For example, if the position helped you enhance your customer service skills, take a minute to mention this in your document.
5. Start off by showing gratitude
In the opening section of your letter, make sure to thank the company for what they did. Avoid going into personal experiences or examples of how your employer helped you until later on in the letter.
