Why Are Thank You Notes Important
You should send professional thank you notes for a few reasons:
-
Its common courtesy. While people may not always expect it, receiving a thoughtful thank you note makes your business contacts feel valued and can strengthen working relationships.
-
It shows professionalism. Taking a few moments to express gratitude communicates respect. It also shows that you know how to be attentive and conduct yourself politely in professional relationships.
-
It sets you apart. A well-written, timely thank you note gives you the chance to make a lasting impression. Sending a thoughtful message especially one with specific details or points of conversation ensures you wont be forgotten.
-
It encourages a gratitude-oriented mindset. Practicing gratitude can help you be happier overall, in addition to leading to increased work performance.
Related: 7 Tips for Thinking Positively at Work
Close With Next Steps
End your note with a forward-looking statement. Either that you look forward to hearing from them, discussing next steps, or that you will be following up. You can also mention that they should feel free to contact you with additional questions, or if there is anything they would like to discuss with you in more detail.
Keep It Short And To The Point
Hiring managersare busy, so you want to make sure your thank-you email is quick and easy to read. So keep it brief the career coaches interviewed for this article all said a few short paragraphs is a commonly prescribed length.
That said, make sure the reader can tell you put time and effort into the email. Even though its short, it shouldnt read like it was dashed off as an afterthought.
Read Also: Interview Questions For A Cfo
Why You Should Send A Thank You
What Is The Preferred Method Of Sending A Thank
Amanda Augustine, career advice expert for TopInterview and TopResume, said that email is the most common method for sending a post-interview thank-you note “because of its immediacy and ability to attach materials or hyperlink to additional information that can help advance their candidacy to the next interview round.”
On the flip side, if the company seems more old-fashioned and stays to the more traditional side of things, a handwritten note mailed to the office might get you further.
“I prefer handwritten notes,” said Rachel Sutherland, founder of Rachel Sutherland Communications. “Everyone loves getting mail, especially something you’re not expecting. It’s kind of funny to think of snail mail as being special, but in this case, it works.”
If you’re doing a handwritten note, your method of delivering it depends on the timing of the hiring process. Smith said that if you know they’ll be making their decision the next day, write the note as quickly as possible. In that instance, Smith suggests writing the thank-you note in the lobby and asking the receptionist to deliver it as soon as possible.
“The content of the message is more important than the method of delivery, be it email or a handwritten note,” said Beverly Friedmann, content manager at MyFoodSubscriptions. “That said, a handwritten card is certainly a nice gesture that you don’t typically see these days.”
Also Check: Women’s Outfit For Job Interview
How To Write An Effective Thank You Letter After A Law Firm Interview
Here are 5 steps for to following-up after an interview at a law firm with a legal thank you letter to make the best impression on employers.
- 5 Steps to Writing an Effective Thank You Letter Post-Interview
- 1. Always send a thank you letter within 24 hours of the interview.
- 2. Thank the interviewer for their time.
- 3. Reiterate your interest in the position and law firm.
- 4. Remind the interviewer of qualifications you bring to the position.
- 5. Express your desire for a follow-up meeting.
Video advice: How to Write the Perfect Thank You Email After an Interview
What Is A Thank You Letter And Why Do You Need One
A thank you letter is a follow-up email you send after the job interview. It should be briefonly three or four paragraphs and never more than one page in length.
A good interview thank you email demonstrates your strong interest in the position. You can also reiterate the case you made for why the company should hire you. And frankly, it shows that you know how to follow up after an important meeting.
You May Like: Questions To Ask Cfo During Interview
Why Write A Thank
There are multiple surveys and research that support why sending one is key:
- TopResume: A survey by TopResume showed that 68% of employers and hiring managers say writing a short thank-you note post-interview matters. In addition, they mentioned 16% of interviewers rules out a candidate if they didn’t send a thank-you email.
- CareerBuilder: In a survey by CareerBuilder, only 57% of candidates sent a thank-you note after their job interview.
- Robert Half: 80% of hiring managers agree that receiving thank-you emails after an interview is helpful in the hiring process.
This means that 31% of qualified candidates didn’t send any type of follow-up email after their interview.
It takes about 5-minutes to complete this note. It’s clear job seekers should spend a few minutes to send one once the interview is complete.
Tips For Writing An Effective Thank
To write a subject line that works in the thank-you email you send after an interview, consider the following tips:
- Be positive: Use an upbeat tone for the subject line that maintains the energy of the interview.
- Be polite: Make sure to use friendly, respectful language and avoid being sarcastic, humorous, or overly informal even if you have developed a relationship with the hiring agent.
- Be punctual: Ensure the recruiter receives the subject line in a thank-you email that is sent as soon as possible after your interview.
Don’t Miss: Prepare For System Design Interview
Printed Thank You Notes
A word-processed note printed by a computer printer is usually acceptable in most organizations today. Its also usually much more legible.
Choose the format that seems most appropriate for the organization unless your handwriting is illegible. If no one can read your writing, use your computer to send the printed version.
See the sample printed and handwritten thank you notes below on this page or the Sample Job Interview Thank You Email for comparison.
After The Thank You Note Is Sent For A Bad Interview
They may respond and reschedule, or they may ignore you.
Let them decide if they want to give you another chance. Another opening with different interviewers may happen with them in the future, so just chill after you send this message. And, be extremely well-prepared for that next interview, if it happens!
If this is a small organization and you really want to work there, give them a call a week or so after you have sent the message to respond, particularly if you sent this message on a Friday or just before a holiday. Dont be a pest.
Your best strategy may be to wait until they have another appropriate job open .
Read Also: What To Wear To An Interview Women
Be Your Best Self On Paper
Your cover letter and resume were all about representing the best version of your professional self, and this thank-you note should be no different. Dont resort to overly familiar language just because youve met someone in person, but also dont suddenly become cold and dispassionate. Keep the same tone you would in any other email to the recruiter or hiring manager, and if theres a place to remind them of your passion for the role, go for it!
The only thing you should avoid in a thank-you is trying to sell yourself once again. Youre writing this note to show you appreciate someones time, not to tell them youre awesome. Remember that.
Template For A Thank You Email After A Job Interview
An in-person job interview is a huge opportunity. And employers tell us that the way candidates follow up is an important indicator of their interest in the position. Candidates who go silent after the interview come across as disinterested. So if you really want the job, take the time to write a sincere, customized email immediately after you end the interview, and send it the same day.
Subject Line: Thank you from ] ]
Dear ],
Thank you, again, for the time you spent with me today. I really enjoyed meeting you and exploring how I might be able to assist ] as the new ].
After our conversations, I am even more confident that this position is a job I would enjoy, as well as one where I can be successful and make a valuable contribution.
I am particularly excited about ]
You mentioned that the decision on this position will be made in ]. In the meantime, if there is any additional information you need from me please let me know and Ill get it over to you!
Again, I appreciate the chance to interview with ] and am grateful for the time you spent with me.
Sincerely,
There you have it! Follow these templates, and make extra sure to customize them to your own voice and situation. Before you know it, youll be perfecting your interview follow-up and hearing back after more interviews. Ill wish you luck with your next interview, because I know youve got the thank you email covered.
Recommended Reading: What To Wear To An Interview Women
Tips For Writing An Email Thank You
As with any thank-you note, this message gives you an additional opportunity to share relevant qualifications and experience. This letter is also where you can highlight any skills you neglected to mention during the phone call, or clarify an answer to a question that you did not respond to as well as you might have.
Be sure to express in the letter your appreciation for the interview and for their consideration. And as you’re writing your letter, keep in mind your main goal: to move on to the next step in the interview process. Include details that will support this goal.
End with a statement of your continuing enthusiasm for the job and your hope that you will have the opportunity for further consideration for the position or a second interview, if the employer plans on continuing the process.
Example Interview Thank You Email #:
Hi Daniel,
Thank you for your time yesterday. I enjoyed the interview and it was interesting to hear about how the team is expanding and the new types of customers youre trying to attract.
Im confident that I can take what Ive learned at < Current Employers Name> and step into your role and be successful, so Im eager to hear your feedback when you have a chance.
Dont hesitate to contact me in the meantime if you have any questions or concerns.
Best regards, Biron Clark
However, if youre in a more traditional or formal industry, or if you want to send a thank you note in the mail rather than email, one of the next two thank you note examples will be better.
You May Like: Best System Design Interview Prep
What You Should Cover In Your Thank You Email
Kelleher recommends, The first thing a candidate should do is express your thanks to the interviewer. After that, Cheung states you must outline what makes you believe that you will be the best candidate for the position. Think about what professors, other employers, and/or fellow students said made you unique and incorporate that information into the letter.
If you think of something you forgot to cover in the interview, you can discuss it in the thank you email. Also be sure to send any additional information the prospective employer requested from you.
Skalka notes, Having their most recent work helps me understand their incoming skill level.
Mention A Highlight From The Conversation
Again, you want to keep this short and mostly focused on how grateful you are for their time and consideration. But to really stand out and remind the hiring manager of how wonderful the interview was , and remind them of who you are , briefly mention a highlight from the conversation or something you know they really enjoyed hearing or talking about.
For instance, if their eyes lit up and their ears perked when you talked about your excellent communication skills, touch on that again in your thank-you note. If you bonded over having graduated from the same college, a simple P.S. Go Wildcats! might put a smile on their face.
Read Also: Mailscoop Io
Use Correct Spelling And Grammar
One of the fastest ways to disappoint the recruiter is bad spelling and grammar. Not only is this sloppy and lazy, but it also shows the recruiter you don’t care and aren’t willing to take the time to ensure mistakes are avoided. Yes, we all make mistakes, but there is no excuse for language mistakes in a thank-you letter. Microsoft Word has an excellent proofreading tool and should be utilized. After writing the letter, check it using your computer’s proofreader. Next, read the letter out loud to catch any mistakes missed by Word. Keep in mind, Word often misses similarly spelled words and usage. For example, manger is mistaken for manager, and to is mistaken for too. Double check your information as well. Hiring managers take offense to misspelled names and incorrect addresses. Make sure it’s Stevens and not Stephens.
Example : Handwritten Note
Dear ABC Company Team,
Can you believe its officially been five years since ABC Company and XYZ Creative started working together? I wanted to take a moment to thank you for a wonderful five years and celebrate everything weve accomplished. Please enjoy this gift basket as a token of our appreciation.
It has been a pleasure getting to know you all. Heres to many more years of successful partnership!
Best,
Recommended Reading: Questions To Ask A Cfo During An Interview
What To Write In A Second Thank You Note
A second thank-you note is also a chance for you to enthusiastically reiterate your interest in the position and in the company. Be sure to mention something unique and specific that you and your interviewer discussed the organization, their company culture, or their mission, as they likely have interviewed several people.
Don’t Listen To Boring And Repetitive Advice Online
If you search “Follow up email after interview” in Google, you’ll come across incredibly boring email templates, such as this one:
Dear ,
Thank you so much for taking the time to interview me yesterday. It was such a pleasure to learn more about the team and position, and Im very excited about the opportunity to explore a career with your company.
I look forward to hearing back from you about the next steps, and please let me know if I can provide any additional information.
Regards,
So, what’s wrong with it?
- It’s incredibly boring.
- The same thing could be written to any other interviewer.
- Fails to mention any personal connection or topic of conversation that occurred during the interview.
- Conveys a lack of interest in the company.
- Provides no added value to the interviewer.
If I sent this as my follow-up thank you email, I might as well not have sent one at all. I needed to prove that I deserved the job. That I was the person this team needed.
Also Check: Top 10 Behavioral Questions
Write Your Draft Immediately After The Interview
As soon as your phone interview is complete, you should begin typing your email while the events of the interview are still fresh in your brain. You can type out the email and return to it the next day. This helps your brain revisit this content after it has had a few moments to refresh. You should send this email within 24 hours after your interview to help the interviewer remember who you are and to show your promptness.
Writing A Winning Interview Thank
Many aspects of the job search process have changed over the years. However, one thing has remained unchanged, and that is the importance of sending an interview thank-you note after meeting with a prospective employer.
You might think that a thank-you note is old-fashioned and a minor part of the job search process. But thats where youd be wrong. Most employers still expect to receive oneand they usually appreciate and take note of the gesture.
The act of writing an interview thank-you email is fairly simple, takes little time, and canmake a huge impact. It can help you stand out from the competition and show that youre willing to go above and beyond what is required of you in an interview.
Read Also: What To Wear To An Interview Women
Keep Your Message Brief
Since the interviewer may quickly scan your email, you should keep the content brief and simple. As you reread your email, try to delete any unnecessary information that may not be relevant to the interview or to your qualifications for the position. This will make it easier for the interviewer to quickly read your email and return to their work.
