Did your colleague just secure that long-sought promotion?
Or, maybe your manager has received a much-deserved award?
Did a team member welcome a new addition to their family?
Whatever the case may be, a heartfelt congratulations is in order.
This seemingly simple gesture can:
- Boost team morale,
- Cultivate stronger relationships, and
- Create a positive work culture.
In this post, we’ll cover everything you need to know about how to say congratulations professionally, with ideas and examples of messages you can use to say congratulations.
Let’s start!
- Example of a best general and simple congratulations message: “Congratulations! Sending my best wishes!”
- Example of a best ‘congratulations on a new job’ message: “Congratulations on the new job! The new team will be lucky to have you on board. Best of luck!”
- Example of a best ‘congratulations on a promotion’ message: “Huge congratulations on your promotion! Wishing you success as you take on these new challenges and responsibilities.”
- Example of a best congratulations message to your superior: “Dear [boss’ name], on behalf of the team, I want to extend our heartfelt congratulations on your recent accomplishment. We wish you all the best in the future!”
- Example of a best congratulations message for winning an award: “Huge congratulations on your award! It’s an impressive achievement and truly well-deserved. Can’t wait to see what else you’ll achieve in the future!”
Table of Contents
What makes a good professional congratulations message?
First of all, the overall tone of your congratulations message should be positive.
Now is not the time to mention a problem at work or a skill your coworker should improve upon.
Focus on their accomplishments, and keep it cheerful.
Also, make sure to be specific and include relevant details concerning their accomplishment.
For example, if your coworker got a promotion, you can include the skills they mastered to climb the ladder.
Furthermore, it’s a good idea to include a personal touch to make the message more sincere and thoughtful.
Maybe a funny anecdote or an inside joke can find its way into your congratulations message to make your coworker smile, like in this example:
Last but not least, always remember to:
- Keep it professional,
- Use appropriate language, and
- Be polite.
With that in mind, let’s go over some examples of congratulations messages.
Examples of congratulations messages
Keeping in mind the general rules mentioned above, let’s go over some examples of good congratulations messages.
In any of these examples, feel free to add or omit anything, or just use them as inspiration while writing your own congratulations message.
General and simple congratulations messages
Here are some examples of congratulations messages that are great for any occasion.
These are short and sweet, so you’ll probably use them for colleagues you don’t know very well.
“I’m delighted to hear the news. Congratulations! You did it!”
“Well done! I’m so happy for you.”
“This is great news! Congratulations!”
“Congratulations on your admirable success!”
“Sending my warmest congratulations!”
“Congratulations! Sending my best wishes!”
“Bravo! Your hard work has paid off. Congratulations!”
“Cheers to your success! Congratulations!”
“Congratulations on your amazing achievement!”
“Well done! You’re truly deserving of this success.”
Congratulations messages for a new job
If your coworker has started a new job, congratulations are in order.
Make sure to let your coworker see how proud you are of their accomplishments and that this is a great step for them.
In this example, we have Nina congratulating her coworker Joan on her new position:
Here are a few more examples of how that might go:
“I will surely miss you around the office, but I’m incredibly happy that you have this new opportunity to grow. You’re nothing short of amazing! Congratulations!”
“It’s been amazing to see your growth for the last couple of years. I’m sure this new position will help you further your career, and let you shine even brighter. Congratulations!”
“You getting this new job is great news to everyone in the office who has seen your potential. Your skills and hard work are unmatched. Congratulations!”
“Although I will miss you on our team, I’m delighted to hear about your new job. This opportunity will be great for your career. Your new team is so lucky to have you. Congratulations!”
“Great news about your new job. I’m thrilled to see you grow with this new opportunity. I wish you a lot of success in your new role!”
“It’s great to see you follow your dreams. I’m sure you’ll be amazing in this new role. Congratulations!”
“Great news about your new job! I remember you saying that this position would be your dream job. It’s great to see you living your dream! Congratulations!”
“Congratulations on the new job! Your talent and hard work will be an amazing addition to your new team. I wish you all the best in the next chapter of your career.”
“Huge congrats on your new role! I have no doubt you will excel in this new position. Best of luck!”
“Congratulations on the new job! The new team will be lucky to have you on board. Best of luck!”
Congratulations messages for a promotion
A promotion is a big accomplishment, and your coworkers will be over the moon to share the news with you.
Make sure to share their enthusiasm — as Nina did in this congratulations message to her coworker:
Here are some more examples of how to congratulate someone on a promotion:
“I want to congratulate you on your promotion. You’re so committed and diligent, which only shows you have so much more potential. I’m so proud of you!”
“You are the right fit for this promotion. Your empathetic side truly shines in this position, and I’m sure you will be delighted to expand your skills even further. Congratulations!”
“You set a great example that if you want something and work hard enough for it, you will get it. I admire your dedication and hard work. Congratulations on the promotion!”
“You have been an amazing coworker, and with this promotion, you will be an even more amazing leader. Congratulations on your success, and I’m looking forward to working with you in a new capacity.”
“Congratulations on your well-deserved promotion! Your hard work and dedication have paid off. Wishing you continued success!”
“Well done on your promotion! I’m so excited to see you grow and further your career. Let’s celebrate later!”
“Warmest congratulations on your promotion! This opportunity is well-deserved, and I’m so excited to see where your career takes you next. Wishing you all the best!”
“Great news about your promotion! You should be very proud of yourself and everything you have accomplished so far. I wish you even more success in the next part of your career!”
“Congratulations! Your commitment to our team and the leadership skills you have cultivated have led you to this great opportunity. I can’t wait to see how you continue your path, and how we’ll work together in the future.”
“Huge congratulations on your promotion! Wishing you success as you take on these new challenges and responsibilities.”
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Congratulations messages for a personal achievement
If your coworker has hit a new milestone in their personal life, such as buying their dream house or welcoming a child, now is the time to congratulate them.
If you aren’t close to your coworker and you don’t want to blur the line between your professional and personal life, a simple message from the list of general messages above is more than enough.
This way, you uplift your coworker but still preserve a good balance between professional and personal life.
However, if you are close to your colleague and want to make it more personal, here are a few examples:
“I’m so happy to see your family grow. I’m positive that you will be an amazing parent, and I’m wishing you all the best for this new chapter in your life. Can’t wait to celebrate!”
“I remember talking to you about your dream house a couple of years ago. This is just how I imagined it to be. I’m so happy that you have accomplished your dream. Congratulations!”
“I know you love cars, and this new one is amazing. I’m thrilled for you and hope you can give me a ride around the block after work. Congratulations!”
“Congratulations to the newlyweds! Wishing you a lifetime of love, happiness and beautiful moments together. Here’s to the beginning of your new journey!”
“I want to congratulate you on your win in the finale of the season. I know how much you love to play football in your free time and I’m happy to see you and your teammates are the champions this year. Congratulations!”
Congratulations messages to your superiors
Even though upward communication can be nerve-racking, you shouldn’t shy away from congratulating your boss on appropriate occasions.
Your boss is no different from the rest of us — they still like praise and recognition.
And no, congratulating your boss and being nice doesn’t mean you have an ulterior motive.
So, here are some examples of how you can say congratulations to your superiors:
“Congratulations on your well-deserved success! Your leadership and vision inspire us all. Here’s to many more accomplishments in the future!”
“Huge congratulations on this achievement! It’s been a pleasure working with such a dedicated leader. Wishing you all the best!”
“Dear [boss’ name], I want to congratulate you on this amazing achievement. Wishing you continued success!”
“Dear [boss’ name], on behalf of the team, I want to extend our heartfelt congratulations on your recent accomplishment. We wish you all the best in the future!”
“Congratulations on your outstanding achievement! Your dedication and tireless effort are irrefutable. Wishing you even more success in the years to come!”
“Congratulations! It’s an honor to learn from the best. Wishing you continued success!”
💡 Pumble Pro Tip
Leadership doesn’t come naturally to most. It’s a skill that needs to be worked on. If you’re a leader and you want to better your leadership communication skills, read our blog post:
Congratulations messages for an award
Another big cause for celebration is winning an award. If a team member has recently won an award, here are a few examples of messages you can use to congratulate them:
“It’s remarkable to see you win such a prestigious award in this field. Congratulations!”
“Heartfelt congratulations to the most decorated member of our office. You truly deserve it.”
“Congratulations on the award! No one deserves this award more than you. Wish you all the best!”
“Wow! This award perfectly symbolizes all of your hard work and dedication to the success of our team. Congratulations!”
“I can’t wait to celebrate this award with you! I remember us talking about this a few months ago, and how excited you were to be nominated. You truly deserved it!”
“I’ve seen you work so hard this year, so this award is definitely in the right hands. Congratulations!”
“I’m so proud to have such an amazing professional on our team. Congratulations on this award and here’s to many more!”
“Huge congratulations on your award! It’s an impressive achievement and truly well-deserved. Can’t wait to see what else you’ll achieve in the future!”
“It’s great to see you get recognized for your outstanding talent. Congratulations on the award and here’s to many more!”
“Congratulations on the award! Your dedication to being the best in your field has paid off. Wishing you even more success and many more accolades in the future!”
Congratulations messages with a compliment
Instead of saying congratulations, you can compliment the skills and knowledge that led your colleagues to their achievements.
Here’s how Nina complimented her coworker while congratulating her on a promotion:
Below are a couple more examples of congratulations messages with a compliment:
“You are amazing. The way you’re dedicated to your work is an admirable quality. Way to go!”
“You’re a homeowner now. I’m sure the empathy and open-minded spirit you have in the office will translate into building a warm home for you and your family. Keep being great!”
“Your contribution to the team is invaluable, and this accomplishment is only proof of that. Keep up the great work and let’s celebrate later!”
“You’ve earned this success. Your work ethic and willingness to learn are praiseworthy. Keep it up!”
“I’ve never doubted you and your skills. You’re amazing at what you do. Just keep at it!”
By complimenting your teammates, you avoid the usual congratulations message, but still compliment your colleagues’ competence and send warm wishes.
Short congratulations phrases
If your company uses a team communication app, you most likely have group chats with coworkers.
In this case, your congratulations message doesn’t have to be long and complicated.
A short phrase like the examples below will suffice, and in some cases, a simple reaction to their original message is enough.
Here are some examples of short congratulations messages you can use:
“Good job! Congratulations!”
“Keep up the good work!”
“Congratulations! It’s well-deserved.”
“Impressive. Hats off to you!”
“Bravo! Excellent job.”
“You did a great job. Congrats!”
“Congratulations! Well done.”
“Impressive work! Congratulations!”
“Way to go!”
“Kudos to you!”
These phrases are suitable for group chat conversations or replies in threads — when you don’t want to clutter the chat with long messages.
But, be wary of using phrases this short and impersonal if you are in a 1-on-1 conversation, as it may come across as stand-offish.
Congratulations messages with a quote
If you’re writing a congratulations message to your coworker, an inspirational quote can be an interesting way to congratulate them.
This way, you can be creative and stand out, but you don’t have to rack your brain crafting a professional congratulations message.
Here are some inspirational quotes you can use:
“Success is the sum of small efforts repeated day in and day out.”
– Robert Collier
“Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do.”
– Pelé
“Success is a state of mind. If you want success, start thinking of yourself as a success.”
– Joyce Brothers
“All who have accomplished great things have had a great aim, have fixed their gaze on a goal which was high, one which sometimes seemed impossible.”
— Orison Swett Marden
“Congratulations! Today is your day. You’re off to great places. You’re off and away!”
— Dr. Seuss
After a quote, you can add a short phrase to congratulate your coworker, like in this example:
Why it’s important to congratulate your employees
Congratulating someone for their achievements almost always means giving praise in some way.
When you congratulate your teammates, you usually express your admiration for their incredible skills that got them the new job or praise their dedication, which led them to a promotion. So, congratulating and praising often go hand-in-hand.
In light of that, it’s beneficial to know that receiving praise will:
- Boost people’s confidence,
- Make them feel appreciated and valued,
- Motivate them to be even better, and
- Help them develop better relationships.
Furthermore, receiving feedback and getting recognition is important to employees.
According to Gallup’s State of the Global Workspace: 2023 Report, 41% of employees would love to see a change in their company’s culture and engagement. The most cited tangible change they would like to see in their workplace is for everyone to get recognition for their contributions.
- Congratulating employees for their accomplishments is one way to recognize their work.
- Additionally, building a good rapport with your colleagues is very beneficial, and one of the ways you can do that is by acknowledging and celebrating each other’s accomplishments.
- Lastly, if you are in a managing position, you should keep in mind that congratulating and praising your employees is a great way to motivate them to achieve their professional goals.
So, don’t shy away from congratulating and praising your colleagues, as it benefits everyone.
💡 Pumble Pro Tip
As we’ve covered, feedback and recognition are important for employee satisfaction. However, many employees feel intimidated to ask for feedback from their manager. To learn more about how to ask for feedback, follow the tips in the blog below:
- How to Ask Your Manager for Feedback
What to avoid when congratulating someone
It’s easy to get carried away when writing a congratulations message.
Maybe you’re trying to add a personal touch but end up typing out a paragraph about yourself.
Or, you want to compliment someone but end up insulting them.
To avoid these unfortunate situations, you want to be aware of the end goal and compose your message with your coworker in mind.
Firstly, make sure you don’t go overboard — a few sentences are enough to express your admiration and congratulate your coworkers without overwhelming them with a wall of text.
Furthermore, pay attention to your compliments. Sometimes, well-intentioned compliments can sound like an insult.
“You’re so lucky to get this promotion” may sound nice at first, but it can end up making the other person feel uncomfortable — you’re suggesting that luck is what got them the promotion, and not their knowledge and expertise.
So, make sure that you choose your words carefully to avoid conflicts.
💡 Pumble Pro Tip
If you ever find yourself in a situation where you’re not sure of your coworker’s intentions towards you, maybe you’re experiencing microaggressions in the workplace. Take a look at our blog post to learn more about microaggressions and how to deal with them:
- Microaggressions in the workplace
Lastly, if you don’t feel comfortable sending a congratulations message to a certain coworker or you don’t feel that their contribution deserves such recognition, don’t force it.
Refrain from congratulating when you aren’t sincere about it — the dishonesty can be obvious in your message.
So, to summarize, you shouldn’t:
- Talk about yourself,
- Make the message too long,
- Give backhanded compliments, or
- Be insincere.
Congratulate your coworkers via Pumble
Congratulating your coworkers on their accomplishments and acknowledging their hard work will not only make them feel great about themselves, but you will also reap the benefits.
This simple act will nourish your relationships with colleagues and create stronger bonds within your team. You too will feel better knowing that you positively impact the people around you.
If your team uses Pumble, an internal communication app, you’ll be able to sing your coworkers’ praises in many different ways:
- By sending them a direct message, outlining their accomplishments,
- By congratulating them publicly in a dedicated channel,
- By sharing a nice “Congratulations” card with them, thanks to the file-sharing feature,
- By sending them an excited voice message,
- By giving them a quick voice call as soon as you hear the good news, or
- By scheduling a video call so they can see just how happy you are for them.
Harness the power of Pumble and don’t shy away from sending that congratulations message to a coworker — it will make both of you feel better!
If you’re interested in seeing what Pumble is all about — try Pumble for free today!
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