How to Say ‘Thank You’ Professionally (2024)

The phrase ‘Thank you’ is so simple, yet so meaningful. It embodies one of the most powerful sentiments we can feel — gratitude.

But, is there a fancier way of expressing our appreciation for someone? How do we say ‘Thank you’ in a professional way?

We explore these questions, as well as why it’s important to express gratitude at work in great detail in the following blog.

• Writing a thank you note can come after receiving helpful advice, a new opportunity, when you want to recognize someone’s great work, etc.
• Some helpful thank-you phrases for different situations include: “Thank you for your valuable advice”, “I really appreciate your help”, “I applaud you for your excellent work”, “I am forever grateful for this opportunity”, “I greatly appreciate your time”.
• Expressing gratitude in the workplace boosts well-being, reduces stress, and improves job satisfaction.
• When showing your appreciation, make sure to do it promptly, consider the level of formality, and keep it concise.

How to say “Thank you” professionally in different situations

If you’re not sure how best to express your gratitude professionally, don’t worry — we’ve got you covered.

Here, you can find thank-you phrases for various communication situations at work.

“Thank you for your advice” phrases

We often take our colleagues’ or managers’ advice for granted — but taking a moment to acknowledge this advice will mean the world to them.

Here are some phrases you can use to express your gratitude for a piece of advice:

“Thank you for your valuable advice.”

“Thank you for taking the time to speak with me.”

“I am grateful for your valuable insight.”

“I truly appreciate the advice you gave me.”

“Your advice has been most helpful — thank you!”

“I’m beyond grateful for the advice you gave me.”

“I appreciate the advice you have shared.”

“Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me.”

Here is an example that shows a coworker expressing her gratitude for helpful advice.

“Thank you for your help/support” phrases

Thanking coworkers for their help or support builds a positive work environment and makes them more likely to help us again in the future.

Here are some phrases you can use to give people at the workplace your thanks:

“I really appreciate your help.”

“I wanted to express my gratitude for your help and support today.”

“Your support means the world to me!”

“I appreciate the way you supported me.”

“Your help is greatly appreciated.”

“I’m forever indebted to you for your support.”

“Thank you for all the help!”

Below you can see an illustration of our thank you note examples in Pumble, a team communication app.

“Thank you for your great work” phrases

This section is particularly important for managers. Thanking your employees for a job well done takes little time and has a major impact on their performance and engagement.

Here are some phrases you can use to acknowledge someone’s great work:

“Thank you for a job well done.”

“You continue to exceed my expectations — thank you for the hard work you put into everything.”

“My special thanks to you for doing a great job on the project.”

“I applaud you for your excellent work this week.”

“I have to give credit where it’s due — great work today!”

“I would like to extend my gratitude to you all for your excellent work.”

“Thank you for consistently delivering outstanding results!”

“Grateful for the consistent excellence you bring to our team.”

Below is an example of a manager praising their employee for their excellent work on Pumble, a team chat app.

“Thank you for your consideration” phrases

Thanking someone for considering you for a job or a new role shows you value their time and attention and makes them more likely to choose you.

Here’s how you can thank someone for their consideration:

“Thank you for considering my request.”

“I appreciate your taking the time to consider my application.”

“My deepest thanks for your consideration.”

“Your consideration is greatly appreciated.”

“I am truly grateful for your consideration.”

“My thanks and appreciation for your consideration.”

“I appreciate your time in considering my application.”

“I greatly appreciate your thoughtful consideration.”

Explore the illustration below for reference on how you can express your appreciation for being considered for a new role.

“Thank you for this opportunity” phrases

Sometimes, a single opportunity someone has granted us can open many doors and propel us into the future. So, it’s essential to give credit to those who open the first door for you.

Here are some phrases to thank someone for an opportunity they gave you:

“I cannot express how grateful I am for this opportunity.”

“Many thanks for giving me the opportunity.”

“I am forever grateful for this opportunity.”

“This opportunity has been a blessing for me — thank you from the bottom of my heart!”

“I can’t thank you enough for this opportunity.”

“I cannot stress enough how much this opportunity means to me.”

“Heartfelt thanks for this invaluable opportunity!”

Here’s a demonstration that displays an employee expressing their gratitude for a given opportunity.

“Thank you for your time” phrases

We’re all well aware of how precious time is, especially in today’s fast-paced business world. Taking a moment to thank someone for the time they carved out for you is a must in business communication, as it shows the other person you’re a true professional, considerate of others.

Here’s how to thank someone for their time professionally:

“Thank you for taking the time to meet with me.”

“I greatly appreciate your time.”

“Thank you for carving out time for me in your busy schedule.”

“I appreciate you taking the time to help me do this.”

“Many thanks for your valuable time.”

“Your taking the time to do this means the world to me!”

“Grateful for our meeting – your time is truly appreciated.”

“Thank you for dedicating your time to assist me with this.”

Refer to this example to better understand how to thank a coworker for their time.

“Thank you for connecting with me” phrases

The larger your professional network, the more opportunities open up for you.

Use one of these phrases to thank someone for connecting with you, whether on LinkedIn or elsewhere:

“Thank you so much for connecting with me. It’s an honor!”

“Thank you for adding me to your network — I look forward to learning more about your business!”

“Thanks for accepting my connection request.”

“I’m very pleased to have you as part of my network.”

“It’s a pleasure to connect with you on LinkedIn.”

“Many thanks for your connection request.”

“I sincerely appreciate being part of your network.”

“It means a lot to have access to a network of other professionals from my field.”

Below is an illustrative example of expressed gratitude for a new professional connection.

7 Tips on how to say “Thank you” professionally

Saying “Thank you” professionally doesn’t mean you need to pull out a thesaurus to find a fancy way to phrase it. No need to be weird about it — the phrase “Thank you” is as good as any.

However, there are some practices to help you express your appreciation in a business setting without worrying about any of the what-ifs.

Tip #1: Check your motives

Gratitude works only if it’s genuine. The only valid reason for expressing it is actually feeling it.

Otherwise, it will sound inauthentic and phony.

Ensure your expression of thanks comes from a sincere place, avoiding any hidden or ulterior motives that may compromise authenticity.

Ask yourself: “Is there something I want to achieve with this thank-you note, or am I really being appreciative?”

You may be surprised by what you find out. After all, we all want to stand out at work, and you may be unintentionally kissing up to your boss.

Tip #2: Elaborate with context

Sometimes, our brains can interpret an unexpected compliment as a surprise attack and trigger a defense mode.

In practice, when we ambush a person with a compliment, especially in a business setting, they may instantly set their guard up and stop to think: “Wait a second, what does this person really want from me?”

Prevent any misinterpretation by providing context before expressing thanks.

For example, if you want to thank a colleague for their help on a project, you can say something along the following lines:

“I was reflecting on my last project and how tightly I escaped missing the deadline, and I realized I truly couldn’t have done it without your help. So I just wanted to thank you — you saved me!”

Tip #3: Choose the right medium

You can hardly go wrong when choosing the appropriate channel of communication for expressing gratitude. As the saying goes — it’s the thought that counts.

However, there are a few things you might want to consider when deciding on the medium.

For instance, it might be better to send a well-crafted message, so that the recipient can revisit the note whenever they need a little pick-me-up.

You can send:

• An email,
• A text message, or
• A DM in your team communication app.

Of course, you also need to think about the nature of your relationship. A text message is much more appropriate for a colleague, whereas email may be a better choice for a client.

It’s not a bad idea to consider a handwritten note either, since it adds a personal touch. Tailor your choice to the nature of your relationship.

Tip #4: Don’t delay giving thanks

The longer you wait, the more awkward it will feel when you chime in with a “Thanks”. The best time to give thanks is always now.

Delayed thanks may raise questions about motives, so it’s best to acknowledge and appreciate promptly.

Of course, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t thank the person later if you’ve only just mustered the courage to do so. Just make sure to follow our second tip, i.e. set the context before you give thanks.

Tip #5: Consider the level of formality

Depending on who you’re thanking and what your professional relationship is like, it’s wise to think of the different levels of formality you can employ in your thank-you messages.

Tailor the level of formality and tone you use in your thank-you message based on the professional relationship.

Let’s break it down roughly into three levels of formality:

• Casual,
• Semi-formal, and
• Formal.

Casual “Thank you” — You can be casual when giving thanks to coworkers and even managers, depending on the way you communicate in general.

Some phrases you can use include:

“You’re the best.”

“Thanks a million!”

“You rock!”

“Appreciate you big time!”

“You’re a lifesaver!”

Presented below is an example of a casual “Thank you” between close coworkers.

Semi-formal “Thank you” — You can use semi-formal expressions with your boss, people from other teams within your company you don’t know well, and anyone with whom you have a respectful but distant work relationship.

Semi-formal is often “formal enough” for all occasions in many companies that embrace a more casual work culture.

Some phrases you can use include:

“I truly appreciate…”

“I’m grateful for…”

“I just want to acknowledge…”

“Your help/assistance is truly valued…”

Here is another illustrated example, this time of a semi-formal gratitude expression.

Formal “Thank you” — Depending on the nature of your job, you may need to take out your top hat and monocle when writing a professional thank you message for appreciation to your clients, business partners, other third parties, or higher-ups.

Here are some phrases you can use:

“Please accept my deepest gratitude.”

“I stand in recognition…”

“I sincerely appreciate…”

“I extend my profound appreciation…”

“I wish to convey my utmost gratitude…”

Below you can see a formal “Thank you” towards a generous donor in Pumble, a team communication app.

Tip #6: Personalize your message

This one is especially important if you’re sending out a lot of thank-you notes, e.g. to job interviewees.

Getting a generic thank-you note is worse than getting none whatsoever.

So if you’re going to send them, make sure to add a little something that will tailor the thank-you note to each recipient.

Highlight a specific detail or aspect about the individual or their contribution to show genuine appreciation.

For example, you can add something as simple as “We really appreciate the enthusiasm you showed for the role by sending in your test assignment 2 days early.”

Tip #7: Keep it concise

It’s one thing to write your oldest friend an epic poem on everything you want to thank them for, and quite another to send a coworker a simple thank-you note.

In gist — keep it to the point.

Avoid lengthy expressions of gratitude, to make it easy for recipients to absorb and appreciate your message amidst their busy schedules.

How do you write a thank-you email professionally?

If you follow our top 7 tips, writing a professional thank-you email will be a piece of cake, since thank-you emails aren’t that different from thank-you messages.

You just need to:

• Include all the standard elements,
• Keep the message short and sweet, and
• Proofread before you send.

The standard elements of a thank you email are the:

1. Subject line — It can be as simple as a “Thank you” followed by their name or a brief reason for expressing gratitude.
2. Salutation — Tailor your greeting based on your relationship with the recipient. Choose from formal options like “Dear” or “Good morning” or opt for a more casual “Hi” for close collaborators.
3. Gratitude — This is where you give your thanks, followed by the specific reason for your appreciation.
4. Connection reinforcement — Optionally, express your willingness to reciprocate or offer something in return, like taking them out for a coffee.
5. Closing paragraph — In the closing part, you basically restate your gratitude to the person.
6. Exit — Use any of the standard closing phrases, such as “Sincerely”, “Best regards”, or even “Appreciatively”.

When you get a hold of these elements, you can use them to formulate any type of thank-you email, whether you’re thanking a colleague for their support or a job interviewer for their time.

A professional thank-you email sample

You can get a professional thank-you email template here and tailor it to your specific needs:

⬇️ Professional thank-you email template

Why are people reluctant to say “Thank you” in a business setting?

Thanking colleagues, associates, clients, and other people in our business environment can feel like a slippery slope.

Why?

There are several reasons:

• Perceived competition — Work is often regarded as a competitive arena, and some worry that sharing words of appreciation to their higher-ups can sound like kissing up or masking an ulterior motive.
• Fear of misinterpretation — Concerns arise about the potential misinterpretation of appreciation for a colleague, with some fearing that a simple acknowledgment might be misunderstood as a romantic advance.
• Avoiding unintended impressions — Others don’t want to risk choosing the wrong words and sounding unprofessional and even pathetic.
• Discomfort avoidance — Ultimately, some professionals just don’t want to make their colleagues uncomfortable. Studies show that a surprise compliment triggers the same pathways in our brains as a sneak attack (thanks, prehistoric ancestors).

However, the benefits of thanking people far outweigh our discomfort — we just need to be thoughtful about how we do it.

Why is it important to say “Thank you” at work?

Giving thanks is not just a nice gesture. Research suggests that it’s so beneficial that it can improve your physical health and help you feel more positive in the long run.

So not only is it good for the recipient of your appreciation, but it’s also great for you.

Everybody wins!

Let’s take a look at some compelling reasons to start unabashedly giving thanks at work.

Reason #1: Giving thanks boosts our general well-being

Interestingly, in positive psychology research, gratitude has been strongly correlated with greater happiness, as well as strong interpersonal relationships.

So, if work tends to wear you down a bit, try expressing thankfulness whenever you have the opportunity — and see how it lights up the mood.

Reason #2: Giving thanks reduces work-related stress and health issues

In the midst of the ongoing burnout pandemic, giving thanks emerges as a simple yet effective tool to combat work-related stress and health problems.

Taking a moment to reflect on the things you’re grateful for at the end of each workday decreases stress and improves overall health in the long run.

So, next time you feel stressed out at work, take a moment to focus on the good things and express appreciation by sending out some thank-you notes to your coworkers.

Reason #3: Giving thanks improves job satisfaction

Some research suggests that organizations can improve overall job satisfaction among employees by institutionalizing gratitude into their work culture.

Managers, we’re looking at you. By thanking your employees for a job well done, you boost their morale and motivation.

Likewise, a culture of mutual appreciation, where employees express thanks to one another, creates a positive and safe work environment.

Reason #4: Giving thanks at work drives better employee performance

Studies show that one of the defining traits of high-performing teams is showing and receiving appreciation.

Employees who feel valued almost unanimously report feeling more motivated and engaged at work, suggesting that employee recognition is a key driving force behind high performance.

Reason #5: Giving thanks instead of apologizing can help shift perspective

If you’re a chronic apologizer, we’ve got a pro tip for you — stop apologizing and start thanking people in your professional life instead.

Whatever your mistake, thanking people for their patience, understanding, or other merits in regard to the error can help reframe their mind about it and see you in a more positive light.

For example, research indicates that saying “Thank you for your patience/understanding” is a much more effective recovery strategy than apologizing when dealing with dissatisfied clients.

By thanking clients, you put a spotlight on their merit instead of your mistake and drastically shift their perspective.

You can try the same in internal communication with your colleagues.

For instance, if you are late to a meeting, instead of saying “Sorry I’m late”, thank everyone for their patience and see what happens.

However, some situations, such as workplace conflict, do require you to say you’re sorry — which doesn’t mean you can’t also thank the other person for accepting your apology.

Cultivating workplace appreciation with Pumble

In the fast-paced and dynamic landscape of professional interactions, expressing gratitude is not only a courteous gesture but also a powerful tool for fostering positive relationships.

As you embark on this journey of gratitude in the workplace, consider leveraging Pumble, a team communication app designed for seamless collaboration.

With its user-friendly interface and instant messaging features, Pumble eliminates communication barriers, allowing you to convey thanks directly and efficiently.