The thank you note to an intern is a professional courtesy, one that will continue to pay you back with some goodwill and future professional relationships.
A well-written thank-you note would not only be the act of thanking but also reaffirm in their minds the value brought into the business. Here’s a detailed breakdown of how to create an impactful thank-you note.
Personal Touch
Personalization makes the note sincere and tailored, not general. This tells him that you are valuing him as a person and not just as an employee who is going to be there for a few months. Start the note with a friendly salutation mentioning his name. You could also mention specific projects or tasks that he/she was part of.
For Example, “I particularly appreciated how you handled the market research project. Your insights were so critical to our strategy.”
Emphasize Their Strengths
It makes them know that their skills and abilities have not gone unnoticed, and such a reinforcement of their confidence will go a long way in ensuring that they are aware of all the good things they did during their time with you.
Take note of the intern based on their skills, whether in teamwork, creativity, or problem-solving. Add specific examples to demonstrate areas where they did well.
For Example, you could say, “The highlight of your internship was your ability to collaborate with the team and bring on board fresh ideas.”
Express Appreciation
A clear ‘thank you’ gives the feeling to the intern that his services are valued and appreciated, thus enhancing the experience.
Be direct in your thankfulness by saying something like, “Thank you for the hard work” or “I appreciate your efforts.” Acknowledge the time and effort that they put in by saying something like, “Your meeting deadlines and learning so much more has made a huge difference in our projects.”.
It will, therefore, enhance the intern’s self-esteem and encourage him to press on with a recommence in his job career.
This, in essence, fosters a positive relationship that may lead to future networking opportunities. Offer suggestions or advice from experience, for example, “Keep in mind as you continue in your career, the highest resources you have are curiosity and the desire to learn.
” Then reassure them of their potential by saying, “I do not doubt that you will excel in whatever path you choose.”
Keep It Brief But Meaningful
A lean note is more likely to be read and appreciated. It does respect the time of the intern while delivering a poignant message.
Be sure to just have a few structured paragraphs that will get your point across without you rambling on in your thoughts. Only express the major elements of your gratitude and encouragement to facilitate lucidity.
Handwritten Or Typed
The impact of the note can be moderated by its format. Most of the time, a handwritten note may appear to be more personal, while a typed note exudes professionalism. Choose the format according to the situation; if the culture in the company is formal, then a typed note will do.
On the other hand, a handwritten note may make things a bit more personal where the atmosphere is informal. In any case, the note should be legible and free from typos or other errors.
