How to Write a Thank You Note to Your Boss

Everybody needs a little appreciation every now and then, and that certainly includes your boss too. Writing a thank you note to your boss can be a great way to express your gratitude with professionalism, while strengthening your professional relationship.

But how do you do that? How long should your note be? How can you be thankful, friendly, and professional all on the same page? We bet these are just a few of the questions that might be bubbling away in your head right now. Writing a thank you note to your boss might seem like a difficult task, but it really isn’t. In this article, we show you how easy it is and provide you with a few examples to get started.

Why Would You Send a Thank You Note to Your Boss?

The real question is, why wouldn’t you? Recognizing someone’s positive impact on our lives and showing gratitude for it is one of the pillars of emotional intelligence. When you’re busy drowning in tasks it’s easy to forget about that, but you should make it a priority. Gratitude fosters healthy and long-lasting relationships. And that’s exactly what you should want from your work connections as well, your boss included. You spend at least eight hours a day at work after all.

Expressing appreciation in the workplace helps to:

• build teams in which people feel valued
• create a positive working environment
• motivate everybody to do better

Gratitude has positive personal outcomes too. It rewires your brain to produce more dopamine. This neurotransmitter makes you feel good, improves your energy and happiness levels, and leads to overall better well-being.

We live in a world that moves fast at the rhythm of quick calls and hurried instant messages. Taking the time to write down an actual thoughtful thank you message to your boss by email or even a handwritten letter, can show even more consideration than the message itself.

Thank You Note to Your Boss: Should You Write an Email or Letter?

When it comes to choosing the medium for your boss’s thank you message, an email, a printed letter, or a handwritten card are all equally appropriate. It’s really up to you. It’s true, though, that the last option certainly shows you put in extra effort to convey your gratitude.

Plus, paper and ink still hold a certain charm for many people and adds elegance to a well-crafted message. However, if you work remotely or you don’t have the chance to personally drop a letter to your recipient, there’s no need to rush to the post office, an email will work just fine.

Template for a Thank You Message to Your Boss

Not sure how to arrange your message? You don’t need any specific layout, a simple and clean structure like the following is perfect:

[email subject - pick one that is nice and short such as a simple “Thank you”.]

Dear/to [Your Boss’s Name],

[Here begins the body of your email. You could start with something like “I cannot thank you enough for...”, “I wanted to thank you for…”, or “I wanted to express my gratitude for…”]

[Closing - use “Sincerely”, “Best wishes”, or “With appreciation”.]

[Your name]

If you opt for a printed or handwritten formal letter, remember to also add the date, your boss’ full name, role, and company name at the top.

Top Tips for Writing a Thankful Note to Your Boss

Whether you’re going to write a thank you email or a thank you letter to your boss, there are a few guidelines you should keep in mind to deliver your message effectively and maintain your professionalism at work:

• Send it within an appropriate time. Whatever the reason you’re sending a thank you note to your boss don’t let weeks pass by before showing your appreciation. Send that letter or email as soon as possible or within a couple of days after the event.
• Be sincere. Don’t write things you don’t mean. Your letter shouldn’t have any ulterior motive than expressing gratitude.
• Keep it short. You don’t need to write pages and pages. Two to three sentences in a paragraph are enough. Go for a simple and light tone.
• Be specific. Make sure your letter clearly explains the reason you are thanking your boss.
• Proofread. Always double-check your work before sending in it. The last thing you want is to come off as sloppy and hasty.

Examples of Times You Might Want to Thank Your Boss

There are so many occasions in which you might feel like sending a thank you note to your boss. It could be a thank you note to your boss when leaving a job, when you receive a pay raise or bonus, your team contribution is recognized and appreciated, you are given the opportunity to prove yourself or they grant you a personal favor. Here are the most common reasons with a couple of ideas for each on what to write specifically:

You Got a Raise or a Promotion

• “Thank you for believing in me with this promotion to regional account manager. I’ve been working hard over the last few years to prove my worth, and your help and guidance were essential in supporting me to reach this milestone. To a bright future!”.
• “Thank you so much for the raise. I am grateful that your trust in my talents and skills is recognized and rewarded so generously. It only encourages me to do even better.”

Your Boss Is Leaving or Retiring

• “Before you leave, I wanted to thank you for being an extraordinary leader and mentor. Your constant encouragement and advice have made all the difference in my professional development. Your new company is lucky to have you.”
• “I cannot thank you enough for the impact you have had on my professional growth. I’ve learned so much by your side over the years and wish one day to become the leader you are. Congratulations on your retirement. You’ll be truly missed!”.

They Helped You with a Project or a Personal Favor

• “I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciated your support while I was working on my last project. Your guidance has been extremely helpful in successfully completing my tasks. As always, I feel very lucky to work with you.”.
• “Just a quick note to say thank you for stepping in and coordinating with the partners and the rest of the team to take care of my work while I was out. I was able to look after my father’s health without worrying about my work and I owe it to you. I am looking forward to returning to the office on Monday.”

Your Boss Offers You a New Opportunity

• “I wanted to express my gratitude and thank you again for letting me shadow you during the last quarter. Your suggestions and guidance were invaluable. I can’t wait to put into practice what you taught me. Thank you!”
• “Thank you so much for assigning me the development of Johnson’s account. Your trust in me means a lot. I can’t wait to start working on the project. Thank you for being a supportive boss and mentor.”

Find a Job that Gives You Reasons to Send a Thank you Note to Your Boss

Find good companies and good bosses with help from Monster. Go ahead and set up a free candidate account, upload your resume and activate the customized alerts. We’ll send you the latest job openings that reflect your search criteria. Plus, being a Monster member, partner recruiters and companies will be able to find and contact you with new opportunities.