Thank You Note Overview

Statistically, less than 10% of interviewees ever follow up with thank you notes. Imagine how positively that 10% will be viewed. A thank you note can make a candidate stand out from the rest of the pool.

How to Write a Thank You Note
Thank you notes should be sent as soon as possible after the interview. If you want the thank you note to have the most influence, it must be sent before the hiring decision is made. Thank you notes should not just say thank you. Here are some elements to include:

  • Express Enthusiasm
    Convey your continued interest for the position. Remind the interviewer that you are a good fit for the company.
      
  • Answer Unresolved Issues
    Answer and expand upon any useful questions raised in the interview. If you did not get a chance to mention certain points, the thank you letter can address those items. The thank you note is your last chance to make a positive first impression.

  • Express Sincerity
    It must be genuine, sincere, and recognize the importance of the meeting.
     
  • Personalize It
    Highlight a key point from your meeting that was unique and meaningful for the interviewer. This will refresh the interviewer's memory of you. In addition, if you met with several people, make sure you slightly vary the content of each thank you note.

  • Keep It Short
     Choose three points you want to stress about yourself which might include skills, knowledge and personal traits. Ideally, these three points should be presented in the resume, reflected in the cover letter, discussed in the interview and then re-presented in the thank you letter.

  • Typed vs. Handwritten
    For more conservative firms, you may want to consider typing your thank you note. Typing it conveys that this meeting was important enough to take the time to present yourself in a professional manner. However, people you know may prefer a handwritten thank you. This assumes careful preparation, legible handwriting, and nice stationery.

  • E-Mail Thank You Notes
    If the employer has an e-mail address on their business card or is a technology-based employer, then a well thought out e-mail thank you note may be appropriate. A word of caution: do not make the note overly friendly. Also, try to keep your note to one screen's length. Choose this method wisely, some employers may prefer the traditional approach.