Writing a thank-you message to your business mentor shows that you appreciate the time, energy, and expertise that your mentor has dedicated to helping you grow and succeed in your career.
We’ll cover some tips for composing your message to your mentor, and then provide several example messages for you to customize.
How to write effective thank-you messages to your mentor:
- Be specific about the ways in which they have helped you and how their guidance has impacted your professional growth, from advice on a specific project or career move to general insights and wisdom that you have gained from working with them.
- Share your successes your mentor has helped you achieve, and let them know how much their guidance has contributed to your achievements. This will not only show your appreciation but also give your mentor a sense of satisfaction and pride in the work they have done with you.
- Let your mentor know how much their guidance and support have meant to you and how grateful you are for the time and effort they have invested in your professional development.
- Express your gratitude in a personal way but avoid overly emotional or familiar language and stick to a respectful and courteous tone.
- End your thank-you message on a positive note by expressing your continued commitment to your professional growth and development, and that you look forward to continuing to learn from them and working together in the future.
There are many specific things you could thank your mentor for after a coffee meeting, depending on what was discussed and what you gained from the conversation. Here are a few ideas:
- Their time and willingness to meet with you
- Their insights and perspective on your career goals and challenges
- Any specific advice or guidance they provided
- Any introductions or connections they made on your behalf
- Any resources or materials they shared with you
- Their encouragement and support
It’s also a good idea to mention any specific actions you plan to take as a result of your conversation, as this shows that you value their input and are taking their advice to heart.
For example:
“I really appreciate the suggestion to [take action] and I plan to [follow through with specific action] as a result. Thank you for your guidance.”
An even better thank-you note is to explain the actions you have already taken right after meeting with your mentor, showing your commitment to taking massive action and making the most of your mentor’s imparted wisdom.
Examples of Thank-You Messages to Mentors:
- Thank you for your invaluable guidance and support over the years. Your advice has helped me grow both professionally and personally, and I am grateful for the time and effort you have invested in me.
- I wanted to take a moment to thank you for being such an amazing mentor. Your expertise and wisdom have been invaluable to me, and I am grateful for the opportunity to learn from you.
- Thank you for accepting me as your mentee. Your guidance and support have been instrumental in my growth and development, and I feel lucky to have you as a mentor.
- I am grateful for the time and energy you have invested in my professional growth. Your guidance and support have helped me achieve so much, and I look forward to continuing to learn from you in the future.
- Thank you for your mentorship and leadership. Your insights and guidance have helped me navigate some of the toughest challenges of my career, and I am grateful for the opportunity to work with you.
Business thank-you letter / follow-up letter (for advice)
This is an effective follow-up email to send to a mentor or business colleague for their investment of time and energy in you. They will be pleased to know how much you value their time and suggestions, and they will know you DO value their time, because you have taken action on their suggestions.
You could also consider writing your words of appreciation as a formal letter and mailing it to emphasize its importance.
Memorandum
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT: Thank You for January Coffee Meeting
Ms. Robbins, thank you for giving me so much of your limited time last Monday afternoon and for your actionable suggestions for my career advancement.
I did follow up on both of your suggestions. Grant Billows has asked me to come to work on his new start-up project; I’ll be assuming those new responsibilities after the first of the month. Also, I notified Training of my interest in the upcoming programming course — and, due to a last-minute cancellation, I am enrolled to attend next week. The ball is rolling!
Please know how much I appreciate your interest in my studies and career advancement.
Sincerely,
Miranda
A general thank-you note to a business mentor for their career advice and guidance over the longer term:
Dear [Mentor],
I wanted to take a moment to thank you for the valuable career advice you have given me over the past [time period]. Your guidance has been invaluable to me and has helped shape my professional path in a positive way.
I am especially grateful for the [specific advice or support they provided] that you shared with me. It has had a significant impact on my [career development/job search/etc.]. Your insights and perspective have been incredibly helpful, and I feel much more confident and prepared as a result of our conversations.
Again, thank you for being an amazing mentor and for your ongoing support and guidance. I truly appreciate everything you have done for me.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Examples Galore of Thank-You Emails to your Mentor
Example 1:
Subject: Thank You for Being My Guiding Light (and Saving Me from the Dark Side)
Dear [Mentor’s Name],
I wanted to take a moment to thank you for being an amazing mentor and guiding me on my path to success. Without your help, I’m pretty sure I would have stumbled into the dark side of business and been devoured by the Sith. But thanks to your wise counsel and guidance, I’ve been able to stay on the right path and achieve some pretty amazing things.
Your wisdom, insights, and perspective have been invaluable to me, and I feel incredibly grateful to have you in my corner. You’ve helped me to see the light (both figuratively and literally), and I can’t thank you enough for that.
Thank you for being an amazing mentor and for all the ways you’ve helped me grow and succeed. May the force be with you!
Sincerely, [Your Name]
Example 2:
Subject: Thank You for Being My Yoda (and Teaching Me to Use the Force of Business)
Dear [Mentor’s Name],
I wanted to send you a quick note to express my gratitude for all the amazing guidance and support you’ve provided me over the years. You’ve been a true mentor in every sense of the word, and I feel incredibly lucky to have you as a guide.
Your insights, wisdom, and experience have helped me to grow both personally and professionally, and I feel like I’ve learned so much from you. You’re like my own personal Yoda, teaching me to use the force of business to achieve my goals and overcome obstacles.
So thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for being such an incredible mentor and friend. You’re a true inspiration, and I’m honored to know you.
May the force be with you (always),
[Your Name]
Example 3:
Subject: You’re My Yoda, and I’m Your Jedi Apprentice
Dear [Mentor’s Name],
As I reflect on the success I have achieved in my career, I realize that I wouldn’t be where I am today without your guidance and support. You have been my mentor, my sounding board, and my go-to person for everything business-related. And for that, I am incredibly grateful.
You’re like my Yoda, teaching me everything I need to know to become a successful Jedi in the business world. You’ve been my rock during the tough times, and you’ve always had my back when things got rough. And for that, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
I hope this email finds you well and that you know how much you mean to me. Thank you for being an amazing mentor, and I look forward to our continued journey together.
May the Force be with you!
Best regards, [Your Name]
Example 4:
Subject: Mentor, You Deserve a Trophy for Putting Up with Me!
Dear [Mentor’s Name],
I’m writing to express my sincere appreciation for all the time and energy you’ve invested in me. I know I can be a handful, but you’ve always been patient and kind, and I am truly grateful for that.
Your guidance has been invaluable, and I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to learn from you. You’ve taught me so much about business and life in general, and I feel more equipped to handle whatever comes my way because of your mentorship.
I think you deserve a trophy for putting up with me! But in all seriousness, I am deeply grateful for your support and guidance. Thank you for being an incredible mentor, and I look forward to continuing to learn from you.
Sincerely, [Your Name]
Example 5:
Dear [Mentor’s Name],
I wanted to take a moment to thank you for all the guidance and support you’ve given me over the past few years. When I first started my business, I was overwhelmed and unsure of where to turn for help. Your wisdom and experience have been invaluable, and I’m so grateful for the time you’ve taken to mentor me.
One of the things I appreciate most about our mentor-mentee relationship is the way you’ve challenged me to think outside the box and push beyond my comfort zone. Your encouragement and belief in me have helped me achieve things I never thought were possible.
For example, your advice on how to streamline my business operations has saved me countless hours and helped me increase my revenue. And your insights on how to develop stronger relationships with my clients have led to some of my most successful partnerships.
So thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for being an incredible mentor and friend. I couldn’t have done it without you.
Sincerely, [Your Name]
Example 6:
Dear [Mentor’s Name],
I can’t thank you enough for the guidance and support you’ve given me as my mentor. Your insight and wisdom have been a game-changer for me, both in business and in life.
When I first approached you about being my mentor, I was impressed by your accomplishments and the way you carried yourself with such grace and confidence. But what I’ve come to appreciate even more is your willingness to share your knowledge and help me grow as a person.
Your advice on how to navigate difficult conversations and handle tough situations has been invaluable. I’ve put your guidance into practice time and time again, and it’s helped me build stronger relationships with my clients and colleagues.
But even more than that, I’m grateful for the personal support you’ve offered me. When I’ve felt overwhelmed or unsure of myself, you’ve been there to listen and offer encouragement. And that’s meant the world to me.
So thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for being an amazing mentor and friend. I feel lucky to know you and to have had the opportunity to learn from you.
Warmly, [Your Name]
Related:
Thank-You Note After Interview
Thank-You Note for the Personal Reference
