Thank You for the Reference Letter and Email

Sending a thank you for the reference letter or writing a thank you for your recommendation email is an excellent way to highlight your appreciation for the individual's efforts and to maintain your professional connections. Thanking the individual for your reference is a reflection of your professionalism and sets you up for any future references or recommendations you may need.

Should I send a thank you for your reference letter or email?

Consider how you have communicated to date with your reference. If your communication has been via email, then this is probably the best option. If your relationship is more formal and you know that a handwritten letter or card would be appreciated and promptly opened, then consider using this format.

When should I send my thank you letter or email?

 If you have requested a letter of recommendation then respond with a thank you letter or email for the reference as soon as possible after you have received it.  If the person has provided a verbal reference to the potential employer, then you can thank them once you have completed your job interview and you have some feedback. 

What should I include in my thank you note for the reference?

Your basic thank you for the reference should include:

• the appropriate greeting
• your expression of gratitude for their time and effort
• the value and importance to you of their recommendation
  
• an update about your job search
• a polite closing statement
  

Subject line for a thank you for the reference email

Write a clear and concise subject line that identifies your reason for the email.

Subject: Thank you for your reference - Your Name

Subject: Thank you for your recommendation - Your Name

Sample thank you for your recommendation letter

You can use this example when you have been provided with a general letter of recommendation to use in your job search.

Dear Mr Green

Thank you for taking the time to write a letter of recommendation to support my job search. I greatly appreciate your efforts and feel confident that your recommendation will assist me in securing the right position.

I have submitted a number of job applications and hope to receive feedback in the next week, I will keep you updated on my progress.

Thank you again for writing such a considered recommendation letter. It means a lot to me that you took time from your busy schedule to help me in this way.

Best regards

Your Name

Sample thank you for the reference for a specific job opportunity

Example 1

Dear Mr/Mrs Name

Thank you for providing me with a reference to support my application for the Sales position at XYZ Company. I appreciate the time and effort you put into my recommendation and feel confident that it will be of significant assistance in securing the right job.

I am preparing for my job interview which is next week and I will keep you updated regarding my progress.

Thank you again for your endorsement.

Sincerely,

Your Name

Example 2

Dear Ms Fletcher

Thank you for providing me with a reference for the position at Trust Retail. My interview with the store manager went well and I expect to get an answer regarding the job soon.

I appreciate your time and effort and I am confident that your recommendation was one of the main reasons I was invited to the job interview.

Thank you again for your support and I will keep you updated regarding my progress.

Sincerely,

Your Name

Thank you letter for reference after receiving a job offer

Dear Mr Rogers

I am very grateful that you took the time and effort to provide such a comprehensive reference to support my job application at XYZ company. 

I am very excited that I have been offered the job and I have no doubt that your recommendation played a pivotal role in this.

Thank you again for your help and support, it means a great deal to me.

Best regards,

Your Name

Thank you email for agreeing to act as a verbal reference

Dear Alex

Thank you so much for agreeing to be one of my professional references. I know you have a busy schedule and I appreciate that you are taking the time to speak with potential new employers on my behalf.

Your support and assistance during my job search means a great deal to me.

Sincerely,

Your Name

How to request a reference

Find excellent sample emails and letters asking an individual to act as a professional reference for you.

How to Request a Reference

What is a professional reference?

Who can act as a professional reference and how do job seekers use professional references to successfully support their job application?

What is a professional reference?

All about references

Find out everything you want to know about employment references, character references and background checks.

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