You should try and spread positivity wherever possible. Whether it’s the last time you’ll see a former colleague or if you have to reject someone’s job application. Positivity will go a long way.
So, you might want to write a phrase like “I wish you the best.” But is it the best phrase to use professionally?
This article will explore that questions.
It is professional to say “I wish you the best.” In fact, it’s a really popular way to end a formal email when saying goodbye to someone you don’t think you’ll see again.
The implication is that you wish them luck in their future. So, it’s a positive way to say goodbye while knowing someone will pursue other avenues.
This example will help you understand it better:
Thank you for applying, but you were not successful.
I wish you the best,
Sam Wallace
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“I wish you the best” is clearly a great phrase professionally. However, that doesn’t mean you don’t have options to help you spice things up in your writing.
Keep reading to learn how to say “I wish you the best” professionally. We’ve gathered some great alternatives to help you.
“Best of luck” is a great formal alternative to “I wish you the best.” It works well as an email sign-off phrase. We highly recommend using it to keep the recipient’s spirits high.
For instance, you can say “best of luck” when wishing a colleague well. If they’re moving to a new job, this is a great phrase to show that you’re happy they’re moving on.
Also, it shows that you believe in them. So, they can take “best of luck” positively at the end of your email.
The best part about the phrase is that it’s generic enough to work well, regardless of the recipient. You can use it whether you’re good friends or simply acquaintances.
You should also review this email example:
I wish you well in everything that comes in the future. You deserve all the luck in the world.
Best of luck,
Alex Mockaitis
Another way to say “I wish you the best” is “all the best.” It’s one of the most common formal ways to sign off an email.
We recommend using it when emailing anyone in a professional context. It’s a useful sign-off that isn’t limited by who you speak to.
For instance, you could just as easily write “all the best” when emailing your boss or a new customer. It’s a great one that remains impersonal yet polite.
Here’s a great email sample to show you how it works:
I hope things go well in your new role. Please stay in touch to let me know how you’re getting on.
All the best,
Carl Harris
If you’re trying to sound a bit more friendly in your email, you can write “I wish you well.” It’s an excellent phrase to include in most emails when rejecting an applicant.
You should use it when you liked someone’s application but they were still unsuccessful. It’s a great way to remain positive and tell them to keep trying.
We highly recommend it if you hope to stay in touch with the applicant. After all, a positive phrase like this will tell them that there might still be a chance for them.
The following example is also here to help you:
Unfortunately, you were not successful at this time. However, I do hope you’ll apply for one of the other positions.
I wish you well,
Bradley Bartram
If you’re looking for something completely different, you could try “I hope this isn’t the last I hear from you.” It’s a great phrase to say goodbye to former employees.
However, the reason it’s different is that you can’t use it as a sign-off in your email. It does not directly replace “I wish you the best” at the end of an email. Instead, you can include it as the last sentence of an email before a sign-off.
Either way, it’s still a polite phrase that shows you wish someone well. If they’re moving to a new job, this is a great way to say farewell.
Review the following sample email:
Good luck in your new future career. I’m certain that they’ve picked the right man for the role.
I hope this isn’t the last I hear from you,
All the best,
Michael Keane
Another great email sign-off is “good luck in your future endeavors.” It’s a common option when someone has found a new job or when rejecting an application.
We highly recommend it when emailing failed applicants. It allows you to remain polite and empathetic, even though you probably won’t see them again.
You should use it in these cases because it shows you care about people’s feelings. Nobody wants to receive a rejection letter from any job they apply for. So, we recommend using this phrase to keep things friendly and fair.
Check out this email example as well:
At this time, you do not qualify for what we’re looking for. However, we hope you find something that’s more suited to your abilities.
Good luck in your future endeavors,
Steve Mitchell
We’ve already touched on “all the best” as an email sign-off. You can add a little more to it and say “all the best for the future.”
We recommend this when emailing an applicant. It shows that they were unsuccessful in their application, but you still want them to succeed in life.
It’s friendly and polite. So, you really can’t go wrong with it.
Also, since it uses “all the best,” it’s quite common and generic.
While it’s best for failed applicants, you could easily use it in other situations. For instance, it works if someone has found a new job and you want to wish them well.
Perhaps this sample email will also help you:
It’ll be strange without you in the building going forward. However, it’s clear that this is for the best.
All the best for the future,
Roger King
An interesting alternative to use is “have a good life.” It works well because it’s a very abrupt and final farewell. It shows you will not see someone again, but you still want to wish them the best.
Generally, this phrase works when saying goodbye to an employee. It shows you do not plan on keeping in contact (or maybe they don’t plan on keeping in contact with you).
Whatever the case, this is a great way to wish them well.
However, you should be careful with it. It could easily be misconstrued as rude if you use it incorrectly. It might sound sarcastic or disinterested if you use it in the wrong tone.
We also recommend the following email example:
I wish you the best of luck with your job search. Please contact me if you ever change your mind.
Have a good life,
Dolph Whittaker
So, someone is moving away. It’s unlikely that you’ll see them again, but you still want to wish them well. That’s where “I wish you good health” works instead of “I wish you the best.”
It’s a great phrase for emailing employees you had a good relationship with. It shows you respect the work they put in and want to be the first to wish them the best in their new endeavors.
Also, this sample email should help you:
It’s not often that an employee as diligent as you comes along. Everyone here will miss you when you leave.
I wish you good health,
Benjamin Burton
Nobody wants to receive a rejection when applying for a company. However, not everyone can succeed.
When rejecting an applicant, it’s important to remain positive and friendly. That’s why we think “I wish you every success” is a great email closer.
It shows you believe in someone and think they will succeed with what comes next. It’s incredibly useful after a rejection because it encourages the recipient not to feel down about the rejection.
Here’s a great example showing you how it works:
I’m so sorry, but we have decided to go with someone else here. We still think you’re a great candidate, though.
I wish you every success,
Jon Risby
