Best Examples of Thank You Email Templates for Advice

Short, punchy examples of thank you email templates for advice

Let’s start with what you probably need right now: wording you can send today.

Here’s a short, to‑the‑point example of a thank you email after a quick advice call:

Subject: Thank you for your advice today

Hi [Name],
Thank you again for taking the time to speak with me today. Your advice about [specific topic, e.g., transitioning into product management] gave me a much clearer picture of what to focus on next. I especially appreciated your suggestion to [specific action, e.g., build a small portfolio of case studies].
I’ll follow up once I’ve taken those next steps. I really appreciate your time and honesty.
Best,
[Your Name]

Notice how this doesn’t gush, but it is specific. The best examples of thank you email templates for advice always mention at least one concrete takeaway so the note feels real, not generic.

Longer examples of thank you email templates for advice after an informational interview

When someone gives you 30–60 minutes for an informational interview, your thank you email should show that you were listening. Here’s a fuller example of a thank you email template for advice in that situation:

Subject: Thank you for sharing your experience at [Company]

Hi [Name],
Thank you for taking the time to speak with me yesterday and for being so open about your path into [field/role]. Hearing how you moved from [previous role] into [current role] helped me see a realistic path forward.
I’ve already started looking into [specific resource they mentioned, e.g., product management bootcamps and case study examples], and I plan to [specific action, e.g., volunteer for cross‑functional projects at my current job] as you suggested.
I also appreciated your perspective on [specific topic, e.g., how hiring managers evaluate junior candidates]. It made me rethink how I’m positioning my experience on my resume and LinkedIn profile.
Thank you again for your time and generosity. I’ll keep you posted as I make progress, and I hope we can stay in touch.
Best regards,
[Your Name]

Many of the strongest examples of thank you email templates for advice have this pattern: gratitude → specific insight → concrete next step → light touch about staying in contact.

Casual examples of thank you email templates for advice after a coffee chat

If the conversation was informal—maybe a coffee meetup or a quick chat with a friend‑of‑a‑friend—you can keep your tone lighter.

Subject: Really appreciate the coffee & advice

Hey [Name],
Thanks again for meeting up for coffee yesterday and sharing your perspective on [topic, e.g., breaking into UX design]. It was refreshing to hear such a honest take on what the day‑to‑day actually looks like.
I’m going to take your advice and [specific action, e.g., start a small redesign project to build my portfolio and join a local UX meetup].
If you’re ever up for another coffee or need a sounding board on [something you can offer, e.g., marketing ideas, editing, student outreach], I’d be happy to return the favor.
Thanks again,
[Your Name]

Even in relaxed settings, the best examples of thank you email templates for advice still do three things: name the topic, name the action you’ll take, and offer something back, even if it’s small.

Follow‑up examples of thank you email templates for advice (weeks or months later)

Most people send one thank you email and then disappear. That’s a missed opportunity. A quick progress update is one of the best examples of how to keep a networking relationship alive.

Subject: Quick update since our conversation in [Month]

Hi [Name],
I hope you’ve been doing well. I wanted to send a quick update and another thank you for the advice you shared back in [Month] about [topic].
I took your suggestion to [specific action, e.g., enroll in a data analytics course and complete a capstone project], and I’m excited to share that [result, e.g., I just accepted an offer as a junior analyst at X Company].
Your guidance played a big part in helping me focus my efforts and stay motivated. Thank you again for being so generous with your time.
Best,
[Your Name]

These kinds of follow‑up notes are some of the best examples of thank you email templates for advice because they turn a one‑off conversation into an ongoing relationship.

Examples of thank you email templates for advice after a LinkedIn message or DM

Sometimes the advice comes in a short LinkedIn exchange, not a full meeting. You still want to acknowledge it.

Subject: Thank you for your advice on [topic]

Hi [Name],
Thank you for taking the time to respond to my message about [topic, e.g., transitioning from teaching to instructional design]. Your suggestion to [specific tip, e.g., highlight curriculum design projects as portfolio pieces] gave me a new way to position my background.
I’ve updated my LinkedIn profile and resume to reflect that, and I already feel more confident about my story.
I appreciate you sharing your experience—it really helped.
Warmly,
[Your Name]

Short, sincere, and specific. These bite‑sized notes are great examples of thank you email templates for advice when the interaction itself was brief.

Examples of thank you email templates for advice when you didn’t take their suggestion

This is a tricky one. Maybe you got advice, thought about it, and chose a different route. You can still send a thoughtful thank you email without pretending you followed their recommendation.

Subject: Thank you for your thoughtful advice

Hi [Name],
I wanted to thank you again for speaking with me about [topic] last month. I really appreciated your honest perspective on [specific point].
After considering your suggestions and talking with a few other people, I decided to [what you did instead, e.g., stay at my current company for another year while I build more project experience]. Your advice helped me think through the trade‑offs more clearly, even though I ended up taking a slightly different path.
I’m grateful you were willing to share your experience so openly.
Best regards,
[Your Name]

Real‑world relationships are nuanced. The best examples of thank you email templates for advice make room for that nuance instead of pretending you followed every piece of guidance word‑for‑word.

Thank you email template for advice from a professor, mentor, or coach

If you’re a student or early‑career professional, you might be thanking a professor, career counselor, or coach.

Subject: Thank you for your guidance this semester

Dear Professor [Last Name],
I wanted to thank you for the guidance you’ve given me this semester, especially our conversation about [topic, e.g., applying to graduate programs in public health]. Your advice on [specific point, e.g., how to evaluate program fit and funding options] has been incredibly helpful as I plan my next steps.
I’m currently [specific action, e.g., shortlisting programs and drafting my personal statement], and I’m using your suggestions to highlight [specific strengths].
Thank you again for your time, support, and encouragement. I truly appreciate it.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]

If you’re in the U.S., your school’s career center may have more real examples of thank you emails and networking messages. Many university sites, like Harvard’s Office of Career Services and MIT Career Advising & Professional Development, share sample wording you can adapt.

How to customize these examples of thank you email templates for advice

You don’t want your note to sound like it was pulled from a random website five minutes ago. A few small tweaks can make any example of a thank you email template for advice sound like you:

Anchor it in a specific moment. Mention when and how you met: “during last week’s virtual panel,” “at the [Conference Name] session on AI,” or “through [mutual contact].” That tiny detail reminds them who you are.

Call out one or two concrete takeaways. Instead of “Thanks for all your advice,” try “Your suggestion to track my wins in a simple spreadsheet so I’m ready for performance reviews was incredibly helpful.” Specifics make your note memorable.

Name your next step. Even if your next move is small—updating your LinkedIn headline, signing up for a webinar, reading a recommended article—write it down. It shows you’re not just collecting advice; you’re acting on it.

Keep the timing tight. Aim to send your thank you email within 24 hours. If life happens and it’s later than that, still send it. A late thank you is better than none.

Match their tone. If they were very formal, lean slightly formal. If they were relaxed and conversational, you can be too. Just keep it professional—no slang that could read as disrespectful.

For more guidance on professional communication and networking etiquette, you can explore resources from the U.S. Department of Labor and university career centers, which often share updated advice based on current hiring trends.

2024–2025 trends: How expectations around thank you emails are changing

A few shifts in the last couple of years are worth noting as you adapt these examples of thank you email templates for advice:

Virtual networking is normal now. Zoom coffee chats, online panels, and LinkedIn audio events are standard. Mention the format briefly ("after today’s virtual panel") so they can place you.

Short is respected. People are juggling inboxes, Slack, and DMs. A concise, specific thank you email is often more appreciated than a long, flowery one.

Follow‑ups matter. In a crowded job market, people remember the person who circles back with a quick update months later. That’s why follow‑up examples of thank you email templates for advice are so powerful.

Boundaries are clearer. Many professionals are more protective of their time. Showing that you listened and took action on their advice is one of the best ways to honor that time and keep the door open.

If you’d like to read more about current job‑search and networking norms, organizations like the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) regularly publish data and guidance on early career trends.

FAQ: Real‑world questions about thank you emails for advice

How long should a thank you email for advice be?
Most of the best examples of thank you email templates for advice fall between 3–6 short paragraphs or 120–200 words. Long enough to show thought, short enough to respect their time.

Is it okay to use a template?
Yes—templates are starting points, not scripts. Use these examples of thank you email templates for advice, then customize 20–30% of the wording so it sounds like you and fits your situation.

Do I need a subject line that says “thank you”?
It helps. Clear subject lines like “Thank you for your advice today” or “Appreciate your guidance on [topic]” make it easy for them to remember what this is about.

Can you give an example of a very short thank you email for advice?
Here’s a tight version:

Subject: Thank you for your advice

Hi [Name],
Thank you for taking a few minutes to share your thoughts on [topic] today. Your point about [specific takeaway] really stuck with me, and I’m going to [specific next step].
I appreciate your time and insight.
Best,
[Your Name]

Should I send a thank you email even if the advice didn’t directly help?
If they gave you their time in good faith, yes. You can thank them for their perspective and explain briefly how it helped you think through your options, even if you chose a different direction.

Is it ever too late to send a thank you email for advice?
It’s almost never too late. You can acknowledge the delay (“I’ve been meaning to thank you for our conversation in March…”) and still share how their advice shaped your thinking.

If you’re looking for more etiquette examples beyond email, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management and university career offices often publish guidance on professional communication that you can adapt to your own style.

Use these examples of thank you email templates for advice as a starting point, not a script carved in stone. The goal is simple: show that you noticed their effort, you valued their insight, and you’re doing something with it. If your email does those three things, you’re on the right track.