THANK YOU LETTER How to write one

Proper Business Format  Use a proper business letter format

Make it Fresh and Friendly  Write the letter as if you were speaking with a friend.  Don’t worry about writing perfect sentences.  If it’s difficult to write or taking too long, you’re thinking too much.  Let the words flow from you. The last thing you want is for the letter to sound like it was mass produced by a bureaucracy.

Make it Personal  You never ever want to address your letter: “Dear Supervisor.” Instead, use the person’s name.  Make sure all names and addresses are spelled correctly, after all you worked there!

Show Appreciation  This one seems pretty obvious, but showing appreciation is about more than just saying “thank you.” It’s about letting supervisors know that they played a vital role in your learning.  Remind them that your wouldn’t have this opportunity without generous people like them.

Tell Them What You Learned  Tell your supervisor what you learned. Knowing this will also help them with students in the future.  Sometimes learning may not be specific skills but also work soft skills, such as learning to be punctual, that you improved your organizational skills etc.

Share Your Next Steps  What you learned, did it have an influence on you?  Are you now pursuing a career because they were good mentors? Are you going to college in hope of becoming ___?

Invite To Stay Connected  Keep the conversation going by inviting the supervisor to stay in contact or by you letting them know you will stay in touch  Supervisors will appreciate this as you are showing an interest in them and their business.

Get It Out Fast  Try to send out thank you letters within 48 hours of the last day of your placement.  Supervisors not only want to feel appreciated soon but they want to be reassured that you appreciated the opportunity.  DO NOT USE OR TEXT  Hand deliver or send in the mail

Now for you smile of the day!