Writing a thank you note after a job interview is an important part of the job interview process. While many employers are often satisfied with an emailed thank you, a hand-written thank you note (mailed at the Post Office) shows commitment, courtesy, and professionalism.
Don’t Wait!
Sending a thank you note immediately after an interview is very important. If you have the interviewer’s email address, send them a thank you note shortly after your interview is over. It’s also a good idea to send a unique email or thank you note to anyone else who sat in on the interview.
It’s good practice to send a handwritten thank you note within 24 hours after the interview. Because it can take a few days for the letter to arrive, it’s important that you send the note as soon as possible. It’s best to put the letter in the mail, the same day as the interview. If you forget, send it as soon as you remember.
It’s important that you send the note soon after the interview so details of the day are still fresh in your mind. Delaying writing and sending the note only increases the likelihood you’ll forget details of the interview, or forget to write the note altogether.
Why Send a Thank You Note?
Sending a thank you note after your interview has several benefits. Besides the fact that it’s the polite thing to do, it shows the potential employer that you care about their time and you appreciate them spending their time in an interview with you. Showing them you value their time is a great way to start a relationship with them.
Writing a thank you note also reminds the interviewer of your name. It brings your name up in conversation again, and gets the interviewer thinking of you and leaves one last positive impression.
Thank you notes also give you the opportunity to revisit parts of the interview. If they asked you a question you struggled to answer during the interview, you can address and answer the question in the thank you note. You also have the opportunity to highlight one or two more things about your qualifications for the job that didn’t come up in the interview.
It’s also important to show gratitude toward the interviewer. Everyone appreciates a thank you note, and it goes a long way. If you don’t get the job, you’ve built a personal connection with the interviewer, which could lead them to call you for another job, or they may recommend you to someone else hiring in your field. Thank you notes build connections.
Helpful Tips
When sending a thank you note to an interviewer, it’s important to remember a few key things. First, make sure you have the correct address. Writing a thank you note that gets delivered to the wrong address or person doesn’t anyone any good. When checking the address, look for things like suite number (if they’re in a building or office park), correct street address, and the appropriate zip code. It’s also important that you spell street names correctly and use appropriate spelling and abbreviations.
When addressing the letter, make sure you address the interviewer with the appropriate name and title. Spelling is really important here, so double check everything.
Using quality paper or thank you notes not only helps your note stand out, but it looks more professional. Use standard stationary, not anything fancy, unless appropriate for the job. Thank you notes are usually folded in half, with “Thank You” written on the front, and the note written on the inside.
Don’t write the exact same thing in the email and handwritten thank you note. Both notes should be original and heartfelt.
Sample Letter
Mr./Mrs. Last Name (use first names ONLY if the interviewer asked you to),
I really enjoyed our meeting today and appreciate the opportunity to talk with you about the (job) position at your company. I also enjoyed meeting other members of your team and learning why they enjoy working with your company.
Interviewing at your company helped me see exactly why I wanted to work for you. I was treated nicely by everyone I met and felt immediately welcomed into the workplace. Having the opportunity to work in that kind of environment would be great, and I know I can perpetuate that feeling in the office.
I feel confident that the experiences I’ve had with (past work, school, etc.) have prepared me to succeed in this job. I know that I have skills and experience that I can add to your team, but I also know I can learn a lot from working with you.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have. I appreciate the time you took to meet with me, and I look forward to discussing this position more with you in the future. Thank you again for the interview.
Sincerely,
(Signature)
Your Name
Contact The Computer Merchant today or call (800) 617-6172 for one of our representatives to assist you.
