Here's how you can craft a successful interview thank-you note.

Keep it simple, show you are excited for the role, were listening during the interviews, and highlight your fit for the role. Send it as soon as you can, and make sure to keep it short, clear, and concise. Overall, make sure you send a thank-you note. Oftentimes you won't hear anything back, but it's another opportunity to stand out.

If you can send the thank you the same day, that would be ideal while the interview is still fresh in your mind. You are able to use the mental or written notes to strengthen your message. Thank you messages go a long way when you gave a meh ok interview and they are on the fence. I know because this has helped me several times in my career and many of the 300+ professionals I have supported over the years. An email is most appropriate nowadays but hand written notes are nice if you are internal with the organization. This meaning you have access to the physical mailroom for the office you interviewed with.

In the age of AI, make sure to provide your personalized inputs about yourself as well as the company during the interview. Engage in meaningful conversations by asking and answering questions that challenge you to think. Clear up any misunderstandings that may arise and express your gratitude for their time.

Crafting a successful interview thank-you note is all about showing your sincerity and personalization. Express your gratitude for the opportunity immediately and mention specific details from the interview. Reiterate your interest in the position and the company, aligning your skills with the role. Make it personal and authentic to reflect your personality. Stand out by being genuine and show them why you're the perfect fit!

Sending a thank you note is such an easy way to rise above the competition; you should send one every single time, without exception. People sometimes delay because they don't know what to write, but just a few sentences will do the job. Say thank you, write a sentence or two about what you learned or enjoyed, and say you're looking forward to hearing from them again. Short and sweet is better--by far!--than no note.

It is crucial in the age of AI and copy and paste that you personalize your message to the specific people you met with during the interview. Again, I coach my clients who are more introverted to ask if they can take notes during an interview (where they are visible), this way they can keep a record of anything that was said by the interviewer that stood out. You can also remember the questions that were asked which will give you a bank of questions that you can use to practice from for future reference in the event that you do not move to the next round. You want to make direct mentions of what was said. This is what will make you stand out and establish rapport after the interview has ended. You will have a lasting positive effect.

I advise clients to think about a point in the interview when you felt you really connected with the interviewer: mention of similar viewpoints, the fact that you both like Earl Gray tea, etc., and include that reference in your note, even briefly. It will remind them of the connection you had when you were together, which reminds them of your skills.

At some point in the interview, you are asked if you have questions. One of the questions you ask would be about the qualities or characteristics of the top performers on the team. You want to share HOW you exemplify those characteristics in a succinct but clear way. You want to show your enthusiasm for the role in an authentic way that stands out from the other typical cut and paste thank you messages that the interviewers receive. As a former executive recruiter, I understand the thought process of the hiring manager and often they will prefer someone they perceive as they'd know, like and trust. Sure bias is real but reiterate your fit for the role. Most candidates don't do that..

If you have concerns, be sure to frame these inquiries in a way that does not take away from your thank you message. If you have several questions, I'd recommend sending a separate email or requesting a time for a quick call. Do not make your thank you too long. Be respectful of the interview's time and understand that they often have so much to do between their interviews and their work. You also want to manage your expectations as it can take some time (a week or two is typical in most industries) before they follow up with you.

Using ChatGPT or AI tools to assist with writing your thank-you note can be a time-saving strategy! 😉 Crafting a successful interview thank-you note is crucial for leaving a lasting impression on potential employers. Keep it short, sincere, and personalized to express genuine gratitude for the opportunity. Mention specific points from the interview that resonated with you, and reiterate your interest in the position. However, remember to avoid sounding desperate or overselling yourself. The key is to showcase professionalism and courtesy while staying concise and sincere.

You want to round out your thank you message by sharing your highlights and how you fit the role. It is great to have a CTA reminding them how to get in contact with you and if more information is needed, where they can reach you. Of course, the information is already on your resume but you want to make it as easy as possible for an employer to follow up with you by including your name, number and email. You can even include your LinkedIn url as well.

When polishing your thank you letter, you might find it helpful to focus on one thing at a time. For example, review it first for coherence before moving on to spelling, followed by grammar, etc. In addition, you might find it helpful to read it going backwards to forwards, sentence by sentence. This can help you focus on the sentences and individual words which can help you spot mistakes you might otherwise skim over. Finally, once you think it's perfect, take a break from the document before sending it. After you've taken a sufficient break from it, go back to it and have one more look before sending.

Subject line: Stand out! Include your name, the job title, and "Thank You." Open with gratitude: Thank the interviewer(s) by name for their time. Reiterate your interest: Briefly mention why you're excited about the role and company. Highlight a specific point: Reference something interesting you learned or discussed. Reiterate your qualifications: Briefly remind them why you're a great fit. Close professionally: Thank them again, express interest in next steps, and provide your contact information. Proofread: Ensure it's error-free and professional.

Thank you notes serve to remind the interviewer of the time you spent together, which means you move to the top of her mind. So few people send thank you notes these days that they automatically give you a leg up.

Determine if such a note will even be received in a positive light. While it seems counterintuitive, some interviewers prefer to not have prospective hires seek them out post interview. If you sense that may be the case, ensure you take a moment at the end of the actual interview to sincerely thank the panel members for their time and the opportunity to be considered. It is generally a good way to close off the interview and makes the thank you note a bit redundant. If however you believe such a note would be appreciated, it may be best to address it to the person who coordinated the interview for you from the company. Keep it brief but sincere and request that your gratitude be extended on your behalf to the panel.