A thank-you note could make the difference between getting the job, the client, or the contract and being passed over in the business world. An interview thank-you note can solidify the impression you left with the interviewer and make you stand out from the competition. Here are some of the best words and phrases to use to say thank you and show your appreciation to the recipient.

Words and Phrases to Use to Say Thank You

What’s the best way to show your appreciation? When you’re writing a thank-you note, choose a phrase that fits the reason you are saying thank you. If someone has helped you at work, on a project, or with a problem, let them know you appreciate the assistance. If you are sending a job interview thank-you note, thank the interviewer for his or her consideration. When people give you career advice or a tip on a job opening, tell them you appreciate the guidance or the suggestion. When you’re sending a personal thank-you letter or message, simply stating your thanks and appreciation is often all you need to do—your note does not need to be lengthy.

General Thank-You Phrases

These general thank-you phrases can be used for all personal and professional communications:

Thank you so much.Thank you very much.I appreciate your consideration.I appreciate your guidance.I appreciate your help. I appreciate your time.I sincerely appreciate ….My sincere appreciation.My sincere gratitude.My sincere thanks.My thanks and appreciation.Please accept my deepest thanks.Thank you for your assistance.Thank you for your consideration.Thank you for your encouragement.Thank you for your guidance.Thank you for your support.Thank you for your thoughtfulness.Thank you for your time. 

Business Thank-You Phrases

Sending a business thank-you note is not only professional, it’s a way to build a relationship with your professional business contacts.

I appreciate your assistance and look forward to your continuing to work on our account.Many thanks for giving me this opportunity.Thank you for referring [individual name] to me for [services provided].Thank you for referring us to [company name].Thanks very much for the assistance you provide my business. I sincerely appreciate it.

Personal Thank-You Phrases

Use these phrases to let someone know how much you appreciate what they have done for you:

I am grateful for your support.I appreciate you.I appreciate your taking the time.I value the insights and guidance you provide.I wanted to thank you as soon as possible.I truly appreciate the confidence you showed in me.I very much appreciate your help.It was very thoughtful of you.Thank you for your assistance.Thank you for everything you do.You are always so helpful.You are the best.You have been most helpful.You have my gratitude.

It’s always a good idea to thank everyone who has helped with your job search and your career or provided other professional advice or assistance.

I am so very thankful for your time.I appreciate the information and advice you have shared.I sincerely appreciate the assistance.Many thanks for your assistance.Many thanks for your time.Thank you for accepting my connection request.Thank you for connecting with me. It’s an honor!Thank you for the assistance you have provided me with during my job search.Thank you for all the help you have given me with my job search. Thank you for taking the time to talk to me. I very much appreciate the time you spent discussing career options with me.Thank you for providing me with advice.Thank you for sharing your expertise.Thank you for speaking with me. Your insights were truly helpful.Thank you for spending time with me.Thank you for taking time from your schedule to talk to me.

Thank You for Your Consideration

When you’re requesting something from an individual or an organization, be sure to add “thank you for the consideration” or one of the following options to your email or letter:

Thank you very much for your consideration.Thank you for your consideration and forthcoming response.Thank you for your consideration and attention to this matter.Thank you for considering my request.I am very grateful for your consideration.I appreciate your consideration and look forward to hearing from you.I sincerely appreciate your consideration.

Thank You for Your Help and Support

Has someone helped you out? Be sure to take the time to relay your gratitude.

I appreciate your help.I am grateful for your help.I am so very grateful for your time.I greatly appreciate your help.Thank you for such a wonderful contribution.Thank you for taking the time.Thank you for taking the trouble to help me.Thank you for all the help!Thank you for your assistance with this matter.Thank you so much for the help. Please let me know if I can return the favor.I am grateful for your help.I very much appreciate your support.Thank you for your support.

Thank You for a Job Interview

Thanking the interviewer after a one-on-one interview not only shows your appreciation. It’s also a reminder that you’re a strong candidate for the job.

I appreciate having the opportunity to speak with you today about the [job title] position at [company name]. I appreciate the time you and the [company name] team spent interviewing me.I appreciate your time and consideration in interviewing me for this position.I enjoyed speaking with you about the opportunity to work with your company.I greatly appreciate the time you took to interview me.I sincerely appreciate the time you took to interview me.I sincerely enjoyed meeting with you to discuss the [job title] opening.I would like to thank you and your staff for the opportunity to meet with you.Many thanks for the opportunity to meet with you.Thank you for speaking with me about the [job title] position at [company name].Thank you for the courtesy you extended to me during my interview.

Thank You for Providing a Reference or Referral

Reference writing can be labor-intensive, and it can also take time to refer someone for a job. Your connections will appreciate receiving a thank-you email or message. Also take the time to let them know when you’ve obtained a new position.

I appreciate your taking the time to write a reference for me.I really appreciate the reference you gave to [company name] on my behalf.Thank you for taking the time to provide me with a reference.Thank you very much for recommending me for the position.Thank you for referring me for the job at [company name].Thank you so very much for referring me for the [job title] position at [company name]. Thank you so much for putting me in touch with [individual name] at [company name].Thank you so much; I really appreciate it!

Workplace Thank-You Phrases

Bosses and employees love to be thanked, especially when they do something extra.

I really appreciate the effort you have contributed to your team’s project. I sincerely appreciate your flexibility and willingness to help.I wanted to express my personal gratitude for the effort and extra time you have contributed.Thank you for your confidence and support.Thank you for your help. I’m thrilled to have you on our team.Thank you for always going above and beyond.Thank you for showing what it means to be part of a team.Thank you so much for meeting with me yesterday regarding the project I’m working on.

How to Close Your Message

How you end your message or note is important, too. A professional closing such as “Sincerely,” “Best regards,” or “With appreciation” will add a nice finishing touch to your communication.

How and When to Say Thank-You

When you’re job searching, you’ll have many different opportunities to say thank you to those who assist you and to prospective employers. In the workplace, a timely note of appreciation is a good way to recognize those who have taken the time to help you out.

Types of Thank-You Notes

Thank-you notes can be handwritten, typed, or emailed, depending on preference and circumstances. Thanking someone for acting as a reference for you, providing a referral, or for letting you shadow them at their job, for example, doesn’t require the swift delivery that an interview thank-you would for a role where the hiring process is going to move along quickly, requiring you to send your thanks immediately after your interview. If the job you’re interviewing for isn’t for an immediate hire, a handwritten thank-you note can help you stand out from the competition. A handwritten note will give the reader a tangible reminder of your appreciation. A small business or a colleague may look kindly on a handwritten note, while a corporate contact will probably expect, and prefer, an emailed note. A typed letter is a formal way to show your appreciation and a way to document the details of why you’re writing. In the workplace, appreciation letters may be included in an employee’s personnel file.

When to Send a Thank-You Note

Timing is almost as important as what you say. An email will make an immediate impression. That’s key if you’re in contention for a job, especially at a medium-sized to large company. An interview thank-you note should be sent within 24 hours of the interview. For other types of thank-you correspondence, you don’t need to write it immediately but don’t wait too long. It’s important to relay your thanks while it’s still relevant to you and the recipient.

Review a Thank-You Note Example

Here’s an example of a thank-you email from a manager thanking an employee for their support. Dear Janine, Thank you so much for all your assistance as we restructured the marketing team. Your help and insight were greatly appreciated as we stepped through the process. I’m so glad to have you as a part of this team. In the time you have been here, you have helped to make things run smoothly and made our organization more efficient. I genuinely appreciate your willingness to contribute wherever needed. This kind of flexibility and dedication will help this company grow to its full potential. Sincerely, Carlos SanchezHuman Resources Manager