How to thank your boss when leaving a job (with examples!)🤝-
What we're covering..
Introduction 👋
Leaving your job can be an exciting but uncertain time, where you might find yourself leaving behind some professional relationships, and starting to develop new ones. 🤝
One of the most important relationships to leave on a high note is with your manager. 🫅
Managers can have a huge impact on your career through things like:
- acting as a reference
- helping you gain a positive reputation 🌟
- introducing you to their networks
- giving you advice and career guidance 🗺️
With this in mind, it can be particularly difficult to decide how to thank your boss when leaving your job.
Today we’re explaining the best ways that you can thank your boss, and giving examples of what you can say to them when you leave. 👋
1. A handwritten thank you note or card ✍️
A handwritten thank-you note can go a really long way in expressing your genuine appreciation to your boss.
If you can, it can be really helpful to take the time to personalize the message, talking about examples where their guidance or support made a difference in your career. 💖
You could say things like:
- “Dear [Boss’s Name], I wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for your guidance and support during my time at [Employer Name].”
- “Thank you for believing in me and providing opportunities for growth and development throughout my time here.”
- “Your leadership and mentorship have been instrumental in shaping my career, and I am truly grateful for the wisdom and insights you’ve shared.”
- “I will always value the memories and experiences I’ve gained while working under your leadership.”
- “Your dedication to fostering a positive work environment and empowering your team has left a lasting impression on me.”
- “I am proud to have been part of a team led by someone as inspiring and dedicated as you.”
- “Thank you for your unwavering support and encouragement, especially during challenging times.”
- “Your commitment to excellence and passion for [industry/field] have been truly inspiring, and I am grateful for the opportunity to have worked alongside you.”
- “As I move on to new opportunities, I carry with me the invaluable lessons and skills you’ve imparted, and for that, I am profoundly thankful.”
- “Please know that your impact on my professional growth and development will be remembered and appreciated for years to come. Thank you for everything.”
2. Thank them in your exit interview 🤝
When you leave a job, you’ll often be invited to an “exit interview”. 🎤
Exit interviews are meetings with employees who are leaving a job to gather feedback about their experience. 👂
Employers use exit interviews to find out things like:
- why you’re leaving the job 🚪
- what you liked about the job 👍
- what you didn’t like about the job 👎
- suggestions for improvement 📈
This can help employers to make changes and keep future employees happy.
Thanking your boss in your exit interview can be a great way to show appreciation before leaving. 🤝
A lot of the time, people will use exit interviews as an opportunity to complain, often leaving the role on a negative note. 👎
If you thank your boss in your exit interview, you give them the opportunity to log your positive feedback in their employee records as a manager. ✍️
Positive feedback like an exit interview could even help your boss to secure promotions or pay rises in the future. 🏅
3. A small gift 🎁
Giving your manager a small gift isn’t just a nice gesture- it is also a way to give your manager a way to remember you as a person for the long term, and not get lost in the crowd on the list of their past employees. 🧠
Long-lasting gifts that your boss uses or keeps for a long time can help keep you in their mind, and encourage them to contact you if they come across any useful opportunities for you. 📱
You could consider getting your manager things like:
- High-quality pens 🖊️
- Personalized notebooks or planners
- Desk plants 🪴
- Desk organizers
- Customized coffee mugs ☕
- Elegant picture frames
- Personalized stationery sets 📒
- Wall art or motivational posters
- Business card holders 📇
4. Take them for coffee ☕
Taking your manager for coffee to say thank you can be a great gesture to say thank you, because it’s more personal and relaxed than saying goodbye in the office. 🤝
Plus, it gives you both a chance to talk in a comfortable setting and leave things on a positive note as you move on.
5. Offer them a LinkedIn recommendation ✅
Offering your manager a LinkedIn recommendation is a nice gesture because it shows your appreciation publicly. 🔊
Plus, it helps boost their professional profile, which can be helpful for their career in the future. 🔮
It’s a great way to keep things positive even after you’ve moved on to your next job.
6. A thank you email 📧
An email to say thank you to your boss on your last day can be a nice gesture, especially on a day where people are likely to be sending you good wishes. 🤝
If you can, personalize the email to share specific examples of how their leadership impacted your professional development.
You could say things like:
- “Subject: Expressing Gratitude as I Move On”
- “Dear [Boss’s Name], I wanted to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt thanks for your support and mentorship during my time at [Employer Name].”
- “I am truly grateful for the opportunities you’ve provided me and the guidance you’ve offered along the way.”
- “Your leadership has been instrumental in shaping my professional journey, and I am honoured to have had the chance to work under your guidance.”
- “I have learned so much from you, and I will carry the lessons and skills you’ve given me as I start this new chapter of my career.”
- “Thank you for your unwavering belief in my abilities and for pushing me to strive for excellence every day.”
- “I will always look back fondly on my time at [Employer Name] and value the memories of working alongside such a dedicated and inspiring leader.”
- “Please know that your support and encouragement have made a significant impact on my career, and I am grateful for the opportunity to have been part of your team.”
- “As I prepare to move on to new opportunities, I am filled with gratitude for the role you’ve played in my professional growth and development.”
- “I look forward to staying in touch and hope to have the opportunity to cross paths again in the future. Thank you once again for everything.”
7. Thank them in group meetings 🧑🤝🧑
Thanking your manager in group meetings when you’re leaving a job can be a good idea because it allows you to express your gratitude in front of your colleagues.
Being thanked in a public setting can leave a lasting, positive impression with your manager and other colleagues. ☀️
This helps create a positive atmosphere as you say goodbye and shows your manager that you appreciate their efforts.
8. Send a follow-up thank you 📨
Sending another thank you note to your boss after leaving a job can be really helpful because it establishes a relationship with them outside of work. 🤝
It also keeps good relations and might help you in the future for references or new connections.
It’s a nice way to show respect for your boss’s time and guidance, and it leaves a lasting good impression about you as a professional. ☀️
You could say something like:
“Dear [Boss’s Name],
I hope this message finds you well. As I reflect on my time at [Employer Name], I am filled with gratitude for the opportunities I’ve been given and the experiences I’ve had. I wanted to take a moment to again express my sincere appreciation for your leadership, guidance, and support throughout my time with the organisation.”
Conclusion 👍
So that’s it!
You can thank your boss when leaving a job by doing things like:
- Sending a handwritten thank you note or card ✍️
- Thanking them in your exit interview 🤝
- Giving them a small gift 🎁
- Taking them for coffee ☕
- Offering them a LinkedIn recommendation ✅
- Sending a thank you email 📧
- Thanking them in group meetings 🧑🤝🧑
- Sending a follow-up thank you 📨
Hopefully this article has helped you to understand more about how to thank your boss when leaving a job.
If you know any friends or family members who might benefit from learning about how to thank your boss when leaving a job, share this post with them!
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