How To Thank Someone For Their Time & Support (Examples)

Thanking someone for their time is not only courteous, but it also makes a great impression.

But it’s not as easy as it seems.

This guide will teach you how to thank someone for their time and support in a way that’s effective and concise.

Why You Should Always Thank Someone for Their Time

There are many reasons to thank someone for their time. For starters, it’s just common courtesy!

You must remember that people are busy, and the time they take out of their day to meet with you or provide assistance is a big deal. In the context of your job search, it takes time for companies to decide who to bring on, and many hours of behind-the-scenes work goes into moving you up through the hiring process. And while that is the job of talent acquisition, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be appreciative.

Giving thanks to the people involved in job search process is a common courtesy. It’s the right thing to do and a great way to begin building lasting relationships for your career. Always express your appreciation and gratitude.

Thanking someone for their time can also help you in the long run. Put yourself in a hiring manager’s shoes. After meeting person after person, who do you think will be the one that stands out most? In most cases, it’s the one who went out of their way to say “Thank you.”

Companies aren’t just looking for people who check all the qualification boxes. They want individuals they like being around and who mesh well with the company culture.

And if you’re networking, thanking someone for their time is important as well. As you work to build new connections and relationships with individuals in your field, others will be taking time out of their day to chat with you.

Showing gratitude by saying thank you will help move that relationship forward. We all want to help others who are appreciative and make time for us, so thanking someone for their time is not only the right thing to do, but it’s smart for your career.

No matter what situation you’re in, getting into a habit of thanking people for their time and support can have long-lasting impacts on your career.

How to Thank Someone for Their Time

There are many ways to express your gratitude, and a variety of situations that call for you to do it. Typically, it’s best practice to reach out with an email or phone call within 24 hours after the interaction.

Here’s how to thank someone for their time in a variety of different situations.

General

Sometimes, you may get unexpected help from someone or feel the need to show thanks for small gestures. Acknowledging the time and effort of someone who helps you in any way says a lot about you as a person. It shows you recognize and appreciate others. These situations usually don’t call for a lengthy email or long explanation, but you can provide a general statement of gratitude.

A general thank you is best used in everyday situations. For example, you can use these examples when someone helps you with a random task in the office, or when a manager finds an open slot that meets your busy schedule. They’re universal statements that work well in any situation.

• Thank you so much for your help.
• Thanks. I appreciate your time and assistance.
• You’ve been a great help. I appreciate it.
• Thank you so much. I couldn’t have done this without your help.
• I must sincerely thank you for helping me come up with a solution to this problem.
• I thank you for being a tremendous help in this situation
• Thank you, I’m so grateful to have your help in this.
• Thank you for your time; it made a big difference.
• Thank you for your assistance and cooperation.
• You’ve been a great help, and I thank you for taking time out of your day to lend a helping hand.

Work

The best situation to thank someone for their time is during work-related scenarios. For example, you might get help from colleagues or managers. Alternatively, you may get considered for a promotion or gain a career-boosting opportunity.

Whatever the case, showing thanks in those moments makes a difference. It’s a professional courtesy that can help to maintain working relationships and make it easier to build your professional network. It also makes it more likely for people to help you in the future. 

• Thank you for your assistance today. I truly appreciate it.
• I sincerely thank you for your help with the project today. Your contributions made a big difference.
• Thank you for considering me for this promotion. It means a lot to me.
• Thank you for being such a great example of leadership.
• Thank you for helping me accomplish my goals this last quarter.
• Thanks for helping me get the materials I needed today. You’re a lifesaver!
• I appreciate the way you supported me in our meeting today.
• Thanks for providing the feedback you gave at our performance review. I appreciate the honesty and the opportunity to grow.
• Thank you so much for doing the research for our project. I can’t understate how much of a difference your work made.
• Thank you for the bonus. I’m incredibly grateful.
• Thanks for giving me the opportunity to attend this workshop.

Job Interview

Sending a short thank-you email after a job interview is always a good idea. It establishes a good rapport with the interviewer and leaves a lasting impression that could help you stand out from the pack.

In these cases, it’s good to recognize the time interviewers take out of their schedules to meet with you. Show your gratitude and thank them for the time they gave you during your discussion.

• Thank you for meeting with me today about the open position. I hope our paths cross again in the near future.
• Thank you for reaching out. I appreciate the opportunity to get to know you and learn more about this opportunity.
• I wanted to say thank you for the time you spent meeting with me today. I’m grateful for the chance to learn more about your company.
• Thank you for interviewing me today. I appreciate your time and attention.
• It was nice finally meeting you in person. Thank you for the meeting, and I appreciate the chance to speak with you.
• I sincerely enjoyed our conversation about the open position today. Thank you for your time.
• I appreciate the way you supported me in our meeting today.
• Thank you for considering me for the open position. I’m grateful for your time.

Referral

Referrals can do a lot to further your career. Whether you get a referral from someone in your network or a former boss, it’s always a good idea to thank them for their support. Getting introduced or referred to someone is an act of trust. The gesture of letting you know about an open position or even putting a good word for hiring decision-makers is not something anyone has to do. It’s a very big deal.

The person who makes the referral for you gets nothing out of the act, but it can be life-changing for you. Here are several ways to say thanks.

• Thank you for your referral. I will check it out as soon as possible.
• Thank you so much! I’ve been looking for a new opportunity for a while, and this is a fantastic lead.
• I’m eager to explore this position; It looks like the perfect fit for me. Thanks so much! I appreciate it.
• Thank you for this. It means a lot, and I’m going to look into it now.
• I appreciate your referral. It means a lot to me and helps out more than you can imagine.
• This is a great opportunity, and I’m going to jump on it as soon as possible. Thank you for the heads-up!
• Thank you for referring me to the job at your company today. I’m grateful for your help and the faith you have in me for this job.
• I appreciate you putting in a good word for this position at your company. Your help means so much to me, truly!

Personal

Here’s a great way to build connections with the people in your life and career. You can never take someone’s kindness for granted. When someone does something that means a lot to you or makes a difference in your life, show your appreciation!

In these situations, a message thanking someone for their time holds more weight and can forge lasting relationships.

• I just wanted to say thank you for all you’ve done these past few weeks. I’m so lucky to have you in my life.
• I value all the time and help you’ve given me lately. I appreciate it more than you’ll ever know.
• Thank you so much for being there for me at work this past week. It’s been stressful, but your help has made it a lot easier for me to get through.
• Thanks for everything you do. I appreciate your kindness. You’re the best!
• I cannot thank you enough for helping me out on such short notice. I wouldn’t have met my deadline without your help. Words can’t express how grateful I am.
• I can’t say this enough, but I truly appreciate how much you stand up for me at work. It means so much.
• Thank you for being someone I can always count on
• Thanks for lending a huge helping hand with this project. We did it, and it’s all thanks to your contributions!

Internship

Internships are often the first official step in your career. Whether you’re working for a small business or shadowing a professional in a large corporation, it’s important to thank everyone involved in your success during that time.

When you express gratitude toward the people you worked with during your internship it creates a positive, lasting impression. A simple message of appreciation can kickstart your professional network and even help you land new opportunities in the future.

• Thank you so much for this opportunity. I’ve learned more than I could have ever imagined, and I’m grateful for you taking a chance on me.
• It’s been an amazing experience working for this company during my internship. I appreciate everything you’ve taught me, and I will carry those lessons with me in my career.
• This experience has done more for my professional development than I thought possible. Thank you so much for your time working with me.
• This internship was a life-changing experience for me, and I wanted to express my undying gratitude for the opportunity to shadow you.
• I’ve been incredibly lucky to work for such an understanding team these past few months. I’m grateful for everything I learned. Thank you all, and I hope our paths will cross again.
• Thank you for letting me be a part of this organization. I’ve learned so much and am truly thankful for your patience and guidance.
• It’s been a huge pleasure to work for you these past few months. I can’t say “thank you” enough. I appreciate everything you’ve done, and I hope you recognize how much of an impact your lessons have on me and my career. Thank you!

Volunteer

Another situation where it’s necessary to thank someone for their time is when an individual has helped you out without getting anything in return. It’s one thing for a coworker working towards the same goal as you to lend a helping hand. But when someone goes out of their way to assist you, the least you can do is reach out with a message of gratitude.

• I really appreciate all the extra work you did for this project. We couldn’t have made the deadline without you, and I owe you big time!
• Thank you for all the time you spent assisting me the other day. I can’t tell you how much of a difference your help made!
• I’m forever grateful for your help this past week. I’m indebted to you and truly appreciate your kindness.
• Thank you for your time today. It means a lot to me. Please let me know if there’s anything I can do to return the favor.
• Thank you for volunteering your time this past weekend to get the team up to speed. Your actions show that you’re an amazing person, and I’m grateful to have you on the team.
• I wanted to say thank you and show you how appreciative I am of the time you volunteered for our organization.
• It was a pleasure working with you this past week, and I’m thankful for all the extra time you spent getting things together for our presentation. Thank you so much.

Advice or Information

When someone gives you advice related to your career or job search, it’s always wise to show your appreciation. Whether it’s work-related or not, that extra guidance can impact your life and career in many ways. Here are a few ways to thank them for the support.

• I appreciate the time you spent speaking with me the other day. Your words meant a lot, and I plan to apply your advice. Thank you so much!
• Thank you for sharing your advice with me. I’m grateful to have you on my side.
• I wanted to say thank you for sharing your advice with me. It’s made a difference in my work, and I’m forever grateful.
• Thank you so much for being there for me. Your guidance means more than words can express.
• Thank you for taking some time to listen and offer guidance. You didn’t have to do that, but I appreciate you guiding me in the right direction when most people would not.
• Your support these past few weeks mean everything. Thank you for being there.
• Thank you for your helpful words yesterday. I took your advice, and everything worked out like you said it would. I’m thankful to have you in my ring.

After Receiving a Gift

Of course, you should always say thanks whenever you receive a gift. It’s common courtesy and the best way to show appreciation. Whether it’s for a silly workplace gift exchange or a surprise bonus from your boss, here are a few ways you can thank someone for their actions.

• I appreciate the time you spent speaking with me the other day. Your words meant a lot, and I plan to apply your advice. Thank you so much!
• The gift you gave was lovely. I enjoy it and appreciate you.
• This is just what I was looking for! Thank you so much for thinking about me!
• I can tell you put a lot of thought into this gift. It shows, and I’m forever grateful for it!
• Your gift was such a pleasant surprise. It means a lot. Thank you.
• What a fantastic gesture! Thanks so much for this gift.
• Thank you for the thoughtful gift. I know you’re busy, and it means a lot that you’d take time out of your day to find something perfect for me!

Common Mistakes

Thanking someone for their time and support seems easy enough, but it’s not always straightforward. Here are some things you should avoid.

Long Messages

Avoid writing long, over-wrought emails. Get straight to the point when thanking someone for their time. 

A few short lines are all you need to get your message across.

Impersonal Thank-Yous

If you’re thanking many people, you may feel tempted to send the same generic email to everyone. However, that’s not a good look. It comes off as inauthentic.

Make every message personalized for the recipient.

Waiting Too Long

Ideally, you should send thank-you messages within 24 hours. You want the situation to still be fresh in the individual’s mind. If you wait too long, you might get lost in the shuffle.

Forced Messages of Gratitude

Finally, avoid thanking someone for their time in a way that feels forced or over the top. Be enthusiastic and honest while steering clear of any forced tones. You want them to feel you’re being real, and sounding forced will only turn people off.            

Conclusion

Now that you know how to thank someone for their time, choose one that applies to you from the list above. From there, customize the message to fit your situation and address the proper recipient.

It’s as simple as that!

The post How To Thank Someone For Their Time & Support (Examples) appeared first on Career Sherpa.