After a productive and hard-working internship, you’re eager to run into the labor field to land your dream job. But wait! Before leaving the company, you should send an intern thank-you letter to your mentor, supervisor, and those who have helped during your time there.
A simple thank-you note makes you stand out more than you can imagine. Let me walk you through how to craft an effective letter!
Internship is the precious chance to put your knowledge into practice and gain valuable hands-on experience that will benefit your future career. A great way to show your gratitude for what you have learned to those giving you a helping hand is to send them a thank-you letter.
Doing so is not only a basic social courtesy but also demonstrates your professionalism, leaving a lasting positive impression on the company. This is an effective way to keep in touch, expand your professional connection, and open more job opportunities for future collaboration.
You might not know this, but here at Uni Global Union, I’ve worked with hundreds of interns. Those who express their appreciation and respect through their words always have a higher chance of collaborating with us again in the future.
There is always more than one way to express your gratitude to others. A personal email, a formal letter, or a handwritten note, you name it. Regardless of your choice, they all carry the same weight. The most important thing is to choose a method that feels comfortable for you. Too shy to give an intimate card? Just shoot them a message or email.
The first part of your letter should include your contact details, such as your name, address, and phone number. This will make it easier for the recipient to reach you in the future.
No more introduction is needed! Right in the first paragraph of your letter, articulate your gratitude to your mentor or colleague. In this part, you can clarify how the internship helps with your personal and professional growth. Otherwise, you can state that the internship has further confirmed your passion for the industry.
The second paragraph should be dedicated to specific experiences during your internship. For example, mention a successful project that you took part in or any value that you achieved during that time.
In the last paragraph, it’s wise to demonstrate your interest in working with the company in the future. Remember to thank the recipient again and give your best wishes for the company’s success. Finally, end the letter with “Best regards” or “Warmly,” followed by your signature.
The first thing you should do is to show your gratitude through a genuine “thank you.” Don’t beat around the bush; simply say thank you to the recipient and briefly explain why.
Writing a lengthy letter might potentially take away from your gratitude. I know you want to mention all the details about your experience at the company, but a short note goes a long way. Mentioning one specific detail is enough to remind the recipient of your shared experience. And let’s be honest: they might be too swamped to read your letter from end to end.
It’s best to write about 2 to 3 paragraphs, each comprising 3-4 sentences. You will want your thank-you message to shine through, not to get lost in your ranting about past experiences.
A generic thank-you tends to go in one ear and out the other. If you want to elevate the letter’s impact, discuss some specific learning experiences for which you feel grateful. This will make the recipient appreciate your letter more.
However, don’t go overboard and bombard the recipient with a lengthy list of details! Simply mention a project you’ve joined, a lesson you’ve learned from someone or an incredible experience that helped you grow both professionally and personally.
Another thing to keep in mind is to personalize your notes. If you want to send letters to various recipients, ensure you tailor each one to make them feel respected and appreciated.
Was your internship filled with disappointments and frustrations? Even so, using the letter to vent your anger is never a wise choice. Don’t bring up negative feelings about the internship experience, the company, or your colleagues. Doing so only turns you into an immature and unprofessional worker.
Offering suggestions for improvements or constructive feedback is also a no-go. Instead, set a positive and warm tone for the letter, and most importantly, express your gratitude no matter what happens.
Adding a touch of humor to your letter will make it meaningful and memorable. For example:
I will miss you and the coffee you give me every Monday. It really boosted my mood a lot to kick-start the workweek. I hope I can bring you my coffee the next time I’m in town,
However, this approach is a double-edged knife. You should consider your relationship with the recipient before cracking any joke in the thank-you note. If it’s your boss or mentor, you’d better play it safe by maintaining a neutral tone.
Don’t forget to show interest in keeping in touch with the recipient to expand your professional networks. You should provide not only your personal email address and phone number but also other social media accounts, like LinkedIn and Facebook.
If necessary, you can tell them that you are open to work as a full-time worker in the company. Trust me, networking is paramount as you proceed on the career path. Maybe you will work with them again someday down the road.
While showing your availability and interest in a full-time position at the company is acceptable, you won’t want to ask them explicitly for a job offer. A thank-you letter should only focus on your sincere gratitude. Don’t take advantage of it as a chance to land a job at the company.
Don’t wait until the last minute to write the letter. At the end of the internship, you might be busy with loose ends and uncompleted projects. So, it’s recommended to craft a touching thank-you note in advance.
Also, proofread your it to ensure it’s error-free and typo-free. Also, rewrite any phrases that can potentially make the recipient misunderstand.
Dear [Your mentor’s name],
I am writing this to express my genuine gratitude for your mentorship and guidance during my internship at [the company’s name]. Your profound knowledge and expertise have helped me expand my understanding of [the industry].
I am grateful for your advice and support on [a project you’ve taken part in]. Thanks to your prompt feedback and willingness to answer all of my queries, I’ve successfully completed my internship and gained invaluable and practical experience. It is my true honor to work with you, and I hope we can stay in touch in the future.
Thanks again for your time, support, and guidance. I wish your team a lot of success.
Hi [your supervisor’s name],
Thank you so much for being my supervisor during my time as an intern at [the company’s name]. After the internship, I am confident that your supervision and guidance have helped me grow this far.
I am grateful for your constructive criticism and feedback on the [a project you’ve joined], which further inspired me in this industry. Your close supervision kept me on the right track in the project.
I want to say thank you again for all the patience and effort you made during my internship. I hope we can stay in touch as I pursue my career in this industry.
Hi [the recipient name or the team you worked with],
My internship at [the company’s name] has finished, and I want to express my gratitude to you (all of you) for your support over the past [your internship length].
It’s my honor to work in such a supportive and positive environment, which taught me how to fit in a team and reach mutual goals. Your willingness to share your valuable experience and knowledge with me has made my internship more valuable.
While I will not be part of your team anymore, I hope our paths cross again in the future. Thanks again, and wish you all the best.
Note: The recipient can be your senior colleagues or anyone who supported you during the internship.
Hi [The recipient’s name],
My internship at [the company’s name] has come to an end, and I really want to say thank you for being such a supportive colleague/friend during my time here.
I truly appreciate your patience and effort to teach me about [a certain topic]. I’ve learned a lot from you, which I will carry through my career in the future.
I hope we can keep in touch and connect with me on LinkedIn (or other platforms). I look forward to meeting you again for drinks whenever I am in town. Take care!
Wishing you all the best,
Crafting a simple thank-you letter after your internship won’t take much time, but it will leave a lasting effect. Expressing your gratitude for the support and guidance of your mentor, supervisor, or colleague shows your professionalism. This also opens the door for networking in the future, which might be beneficial as you advance in your career. Reach out to me if you want more assistance in writing a touching letter!
