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The Perfect Thank-You Note

Showing appreciation for an interview in a timely formal manner can make a strong impression.

When you have just finished a job interview and you are certain that you are perfect for the position. Take one more step to increase your chances of landing the job- send the interviewer a well written and effective thank-you letter.

A thank-you note should be sent within 24 hours after any interview. It shows the potential employer that you are a serious candidate with excellent follow-up skills.

An effective thank-you letter is a brief, well-written reminder that you are the best candidate for the position. Thank-you notes should be thought of as “influence letters,” which unlike a basic thank-you note, should do a lot more to influence the interviewer. It should remind the interviewer about your strengths, and also answer any potential objections.

A potential objection is anything the interviewer might think of that would keep you from being viewed as the best candidate for the job. For example, a hiring manager could object to your lack of experience in an industry. You can use your thank-you note to point out other professional and educational experiences that can compensate for the lack of industry experience and refute the objection. If anything surfaces that can seem like a weakness, you need to address that in your letter.

Your letter should also include specific details that will remind the interviewer of your meeting, and of what you can do for the company. You should mention points discussed during the interview and how you feel you will contribute to the success of the organization.

Each person you meet during your interview should get a separate and personalized thank-you letter. Any one of those people could have a say in your status as a job candidate- don’t miss an opportunity to impress them by not sending a thank-you letter.

If you were on a panel interview, than every person on the panel gets a thank-you note. Make sure you get the business card of each person who interviews you so that you will have the correct spelling and title of each person. It is also a good idea to jot down notes immediately after the interview so that if you need to write three different thank-you letters, you will have something unique to put in each letter.

When it comes to clear and accurate writing, a thank-you letter is just like your cover letter and resume- even the smallest error can hurt your chances of making a good impression. If you have handwriting that is not legible, or if you are a poor speller, type out the thank-you note and spell-check it. Make sure you have someone else proof it.

E-mail thank-you letters and hard copy letters are both acceptable.

Your letter should be brief- it should not exceed one page- and should be delivered immediately after your interview while you are still fresh in the interviewer’s mind. You want to be the person they think of when they go to hire!