Thank You Note for Coworkers

Wondering how to write a thank you note for coworkers and what's appropriate? If you have helpful work peers who exhibit teamwork and cooperation, there's a good chance they often go above and beyond what is required by their job descriptions. When someone you work with goes the extra mile to help you with a project or provides you with some other type of assistance, it is not only appropriate but a good idea to recognize the individual's actions with a thank you note.

Writing a Thank You Note for Coworkers

Rules that apply to drafting any form of business related written communication also apply to writing a thank you note for coworkers.

Tone and Language

When writing thank you notes for people you work with, it's important to maintain a tone of professionalism. Even if you and the coworker have a friendly relationship, all work related communications must be written using language and style appropriate for the office. Avoid using slang, terms of endearment, and other types of terminology considered inappropriate for professional communication.

Keep in mind that someone who is your coworker today could very well be your supervisor, client, or competitor tomorrow. Make sure the finished note you write is one you would feel comfortable sending to your boss under similar circumstances. If not, that's a good sign that the tone you used to draft the document is too informal for a business correspondence.

Style and Format

In many situations, hand written thank you notes are the best option. Use an attractive, professional looking thank you card with matching envelope. Hand written thank you notes send a positive message, assuming they are written with an appropriate tone. When you send a hand written thank you note, the recipient knows that you were appreciative enough to take the time to create a personalized message for him or her.

In other situations, such as when you want to make sure the person you're thanking gets additional recognition for his or her efforts, you may want to type a thank you note and copy it to his or her supervisor. By drafting a thank you note that goes to the person's boss, you'll have an opportunity to express your appreciation while at the same time letting your coworker know that you're interested in making sure he or she gets recognized for extra effort.

When your goal is to formally express appreciation to a coworker, don't send a thank you note via email. Electronic communication is such a common part of daily interaction in most offices that sending this type of thank you doesn’t generally have the same impact as a handwritten or typed expression of gratitude. An email thank you comes across as more of a "by the way" comment, whereas a handwritten note or typed letter sends a message of true appreciation.

Content

When drafting a thank you note, don't lose sight of the fact that the purpose of the document you're writing is to let the person who is receiving it know that you recognize and appreciate what he or she did for you. Make sure the content focuses on the other person, not on you. If you write a thank you note that focuses on yourself, you'll come across as sounding arrogant.

A good structure to follow is:

• State that you are writing to say thank you.
• Specify the action the coworker took that you appreciate.
• Acknowledge that it was above and beyond what was required.
• State how it was helpful to you.
• Express appreciation.
• Close professionally.

About Work Related Thank You Notes

Sending a thank you note for coworkers is warranted in a number of situations. It only makes sense to let your peers know that you recognize and appreciate their special efforts. When you make a point of expressing gratitude to the people you work with, you'll likely find them much more willing to continue offering a helping hand in the future.

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