The Power of a Simple Thank-You Note

So you went in for an interview, did an awesome job, and now you’re ready to thank your interviewer. And yes, you should always write thank-you notes. Here are some tips on what to write in a thank-you note after an interview.

Very often, as recruiters, we hear from managers about the one thing that a candidate does that separates them from all the others; they remembered a seemingly small step during the interviewing process; they sent a thank you note after the interview.

It seems amazing, but it’s true: A simple thank-you note after a job interview can wield considerable power and influence, and reflect very favorably on your candidacy for the position. Why? Several reasons:

By sending a thank-you note, you show your interviewer common courtesy and respect.

• Unfortunately, in our busy and often impolite world, we simply don’t acknowledge each other’s time, efforts and commitments. So in sending a thank-you note, you tell your interviewer in no uncertain terms that you appreciate the time he has given you. After all, he had to give up part or all of the day to be with you, and expend effort learning more about you and what you have to offer.

So few job applicants send thank-you notes that you automatically stand out if you do.

• It’s shocking, but the majority of job applicants fail to send thank-you notes after their interviews. Why? Who knows? But the bottom line is that you wind up in a position to shine simply by putting forth the effort of sending a note. Strange, but true.

A thank-you note gives you an opportunity to reiterate the points you made during your interview.

• Have you ever left an interview wishing you’d more strongly emphasized a certain skill or experience the employer seemed to be looking for? A thank-you note gives you the chance to do just that. After using the first paragraph of your note to thank your interviewer, you can use a brief second paragraph to touch again upon the key points you made in your interview. You can also use a similar strategy to clean up any interview rough spots you might have had -- i.e., to expand upon or clarify responses you felt were weak or shaky.

A thank you note lets you make points you forgot to make in your interview.

• Sometimes after an interview, as you walk out to your car, you smack yourself on the forehead and say to yourself, "Why didn’t I talk about _____?" Frustrating? You bet. But you can take care of the problem to some degree in your thank-you note. Again, perhaps in the second paragraph, you can say something to the effect of "After our discussion, it occurred to me that I forgot to tell you about _________."

A thank-you note demonstrates your written communication skills.

• In receiving and reading your thank-you note, your interviewer will see firsthand how you handle yourself on paper. You’ll be using similar skills every day with the company’s potential clients, customers, and vendors -- so the interviewer will be reading carefully to see how you come across in print.

Make sure to check your spelling and grammar carefully.

Per this sample, the template I recommend working with is this: [thank the person for their time] + [mention something about your conversation that you found interesting or helpful] + [reiterate your interest in the job and company] + [emphasize what about your experience would make you good at the job]. 

Now to elaborate…

Thank you note section 1 – Thank them for their time for interviewing you

• After all, this is the original reason you are even sending a thank you note. Someone has taken the time out of their day to get to know you and evaluate you for a job. A sincere thank-you is one of the most important components of the note. State your enjoyment at meeting the manager, or recruiter, and your interest in the company.

Thank you note section 2 – Mention something from your interview that you found interesting or helpful

• This shows your interviewer that you were actually listening and absorbing information during your interview. It’s important to connect with your interview during the interview but also show them that something resonated with you. Three sentences on some specific aspect of the conversation you had and that you feel qualified for the position.

Thank you note section 3 – Reiterate your interest in the job + company

• Hopefully, you did a good job during the interview explaining why you are interested in the job and why you are interested in the company. These are things that almost every interviewer is looking for. It’s always a good idea to re-emphasize these two things in your thank you note, just in case there is any doubt.

Thank you note section 4 – Remind the interviewer that you are perfect for the job

• Another thing that you hopefully did during the interview was to let the interviewer know why you are suitable for the job and how your skills enable you to do the job. Definitely, worth throwing one line into the thank-you note to remind them of your biggest strengths and skills that will make you a great fit for the job.

While no one ever got hired solely because of a thank-you note; lots of candidates have lost ground because they didn't write one, or because the letter was poorly written. 

A few more parting thoughts on interview thank-you notes:

Should it be handwritten or typed?

Basically it depends on your handwriting and how for-mal the culture of the company is. The employer believes a person who really wants the job is likely to perform better on the job. Your note should be a notecard with the words "Thank You" gracing the card's opening page in a professional business-like style. Handwritten notes (print if your writing is not legible) are personal communication.

Snail mail or email, it’s the message that counts!  A lot of people get hung up on how they are going to send their thank you note but really it’s the content that is important. Also, take a cue from the company and industry. If you are interviewing at minted.com, you’ll probably want to send a hand-written note. If you are interviewing with a paperless post, probably not! If you are having trouble deciding, you can do both. Send the email right after the interview and follow up with a hand-written note starting with “I just wanted to thank you again for…”

Don’t let too much time pass by. This is an opportunity to demonstrate the extra effort you put into your work, and set yourself apart. There is really no excuse to wait more than 1 or 2 days to write an email. Some people won’t care but others might hold it against you. The polite thing to do is write your notes/emails right away so the interviewer knows that you appreciated their time and that you are really excited about the job.

You are sending the note to say “thank you” but also to say “remember this about me!” Write a thank-you note that makes an impact. It’s another chance to impress your interviewer and give them something to remember you by. If there is anything you forgot to emphasize in the interview (and it makes sense in context) include it in the note. An example might be “I know my years of experience doing X will allow me to make a meaningful impact on your team.”

Remember that part of preparing to write a great thank-you note is really getting to know your interviewer and asking thoughtful questions. Connecting your conversation to the thank-you is what makes the note the most impactful as it further connects you to your interviewer. 

A good thank-you goes a long way and isn't terribly difficult or time-consuming, so start writing yours now. It can make a much bigger difference than you might think - perhaps even the difference between the job going to you or someone else.

Follow-up letters are noticed more by their omission…So, Make Sure You Stand Out From The Crowd!

Learn more about your next career with a purpose: https://lnkd.in/dwAXn4R  

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