What is an alternative for “thank you”?

Question

So...

I am seeking a new job and several recruiters are helping me. Instead of saying 'Thank you', should I say 'I appreciate'? Which one is more polite?

Could someone please tell me how to express one's gratefulness to someone else in English?

Answer 1

"Thank you" is serviceable in all contexts. Since it is so common, though, it may not feel like enough. In that case, you can say "I appreciate your help" or "Thank you so much" or "I'm very grateful" — there are many ways to express gratitude.

Nevertheless, remind yourself that recruiters are getting paid for their work, so you shouldn't feel you have to be too effusive in your thanks. A simple "thank you" will probably suffice.

Answer 2

The best one is:

I am honored.

Longer ones describing what you are honored by are even better:

I am honored to be graced by your presence.

It reminds me of Tolkien and Paolini. :)

---

If you don't like being a hobbit, there's always "Thanks", which makes everyone but elves comfortable.

(Sauron doesn't like being thanked either.)

Answer 3

In addition to @Robusto's answer, which I agree with almost completely, note that there may be regional differences in how effusive (or not) you might want to be with recruiters. It is their job, and you probably don't want to sound puppy-dog-like in your enthusiasm, but it is often generically expected to provide at least pro forma thanks (which may at least bias the recruiter towards suggesting some of the better bad jobs to you).

Definitely use at least "I appreciate it," instead of just "I appreciate" .

A few variations on "thanks", from most enthusiastic to least:

• Thanks!

• Thanks,
  [your familiar name, or first name, nickname, etc.]

• Thanks,
  [your full name]

Some other variations I consider appropriate and acceptable:

• Thanks for your efforts
• Thanks for your help
• Thanks for you time
• Thanks for your assistance

Less formal:

• Appreciate [it, your help, your time, etc.]

• Thanks, [recruiter's name]

Compound endings.

• That's great. Thanks.
• Sounds great, thanks.

Special use, for when you've already used "thanks" six times:

• Always appreciated, [your name]

or more familiar,

• Always appreciated, [recruiter's name]

The "it" or "your help" is implied here, though you could also explicitly add it.

Answer 4

I like to use obliged in these types of situations, although thank you really is sufficient.

Answer 5

I tend to use thank you kindly a lot.

Answer 6

In Romanian, "thank you" is: "mulţumesc", the literal translation of which is simply: "I'm happy".

So I guess "I appreciate" is another way of expressing that you are happy.

"I appreciate..." is in my opinion more elegant than "I'm grateful" because "grateful" is closer to "I'm indebted".

However, I'd also consider "I enjoyed..."

I would rank things like this

1. "I enjoyed..." which conveys a sense community of thought and possibly a convergence of interest.
2. "I appreciate..." which is a less strong but could be misinterpreted as a "refusal" (as in "I appreciate the effort but..."). Consider that this phrasing is probably what you would use for instance if the offered opportunity came only as a second choice for you.
3. "I'm grateful..." could sound like as "I didn't think I could make it !".
4. "I'm indebted...". Use this and they will slash half of your wages off.

That's my 2cts of course. I any case you've probably finished that letter by now ;-).