What is a letter of congratulations?
A letter of congratulations contains a message to formally congratulate someone you know for achievement. Letters of congratulations are an excellent tool to build and strengthen your network.
Why write a letter of congratulations?
When you take any action that provides value to another person, it strengthens your relationship. People will remember this small act of kindness and may help you when you need assistance in your career in the future.
How do you send a letter of congratulations?
When you want to send a letter of congratulations, you can choose between sending a handwritten letter and a well-written email. Bear in mind that people tend to perceive handwritten letters as more personal.
When do you send a letter of congratulations?
It’s a good idea to send a letter of congratulations to a colleague or acquaintance when they change jobs, get a promotion, start a new business or complete an important project. You can also send a letter of congratulations when a colleague reaches a career milestone, such as an exceptional work anniversary (for example, ten years at the same organisation) or retirement.
What can you include in a congratulations letter?
When you decide to send a physical letter, write your name, postal address, phone number and email address at the top of the letter. Do this even if you know the person well as it provides your most recent contact information. Add the date to your letter. It’s also common practice to include the recipient’s title, name, organisation and mailing address to ensure it reaches the correct person.
After that information, mention the milestone you are congratulating them for. List the qualities you admire in them to make them feel special. Thank them for their past assistance.
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Sample letter of congratulations
The following are examples of a formal letter, email or short messages of congratulations:
Example of a formal letter of congratulations
Mia Smith
Worldwide Organisation
1234 Equity Street
Dear Frank,
I recently discovered that you had been promoted to the position of Senior Financial Analyst! I know this is a goal you have been working towards for several years and I want to congratulate you on your achievement.
I remember seeing you at the office after hours, working hard gathering information, analysing it and writing detailed reports. Your hard work, perseverance and patience have contributed to you being promoted. I’m very happy for you.
Congratulations!
Best regards,
Mia Smith
Example of a congratulations email
Subject: Congratulations!
Dear Frank,
I was so excited to read about your promotion to a Senior Financial Analyst position in the organisation’s internal newsletter.
Congratulations on your promotion! You are an excellent example of how those who work hard achieve their goals. You have the drive and leadership skills to do well in your new role. Best of luck in your new position!
Sincerely,
Mia Smith
Examples of short messages of congratulations
Here are some examples of short messages to congratulate colleagues or acquaintances:
- For a work anniversary: “Happy anniversary! I am proud to be in your team. Thank you for your thoughtful contributions to the team.”
- For a promotion: “Congratulations on your recent promotion. Your hard work and patience have paid off. I am confident that your leadership will improve the team’s productivity and success! I am very happy for you!”
- For a retirement: “Congratulations on retiring! Thank you for your motivation and leadership of the team over the years. Your patience and hard work have made our team very successful! Best wishes for your retirement.”
Letters of Congratulations Templates for PDF & Word
Use these templates to help you write a thoughtful and professional letter of congratulations.
*Indeed provides these examples as a courtesy to users of this site. Please note that we are not your HR or legal adviser, and none of these documents reflect current labor or employment regulations.
