Thanking Your Recommenders

Last, but by no means least, don't forget to thank each of your recommenders for his or her help. A written thank-you note is always appropriate, even if you've already expressed your thanks in person.

Remember to tell your recommenders what the outcome of your job search was. The satisfaction they will get from knowing that their recommendation helped someone advance in their career is one the nicest things you can give them in return for their support.

People often ask about giving recommenders a gift as a token of their appreciation. This can be trickier than it might seem, especially when your recommender is a current or former supervisor or professor. Your company or college might have rules that forbid people in those situations from accepting gifts from subordinates or students. If you really feel a gift is necessary, give something of modest value that your recommender can share with everyone in his or her office, like food or flowers.

Return to the Tips on Recommenders home page.