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The Importance of "Thank You" Letters

Published on: Dec 26, 2019
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You say, “thank you,” to express appreciation for lots of things, but at the end of your interview, it can be incredibly important. Studies show that recruiters and hiring managers are more likely to dismiss a candidate if they haven’t sent a thank you email after an interview, but most job seekers don’t send them. This can set you apart from the other candidates. Sending a thank you note says that you’re interested after your discussion with the interviewer and gives you the opportunity to highlight a reason or two why you’re an excellent candidate for the position.

If you’re not able to send a physical thank you note the day after your interview, sending an email is appropriate and quicker. Email the interviewers separately thanking them for their time, and you can ask about when to expect a final hiring decision. If you don’t have their email addresses, ask the HR coordinator for them to make sure you can reach out to those you met with.

Sending within 24 hours of your interview is a good rule of thumb, since they are probably interviewing several candidates and you don’t want to be forgotten. And you definitely want to send your thank you before they’ve made a decision on who to continue the interview process with.

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In your note, be sincere and restate your interest in the position. Refer to something that you discussed in the interview to personalize it. Offer to give any additional information they may need or answer any additional questions they may have in a follow up discussion.

 

For example:

Subject Line: Thank you (name of interviewer)

Hello (name of interviewer),

Thank you so much for taking time to meet with me to discuss the position of (position name) yesterday. It was a pleasure learning more about the way your team works.

Our conversation made me even more excited to join (company name). (Something you discussed in the interview) interested me in particular… In my current role as (your current role) I found that (quick explanation of how you handled a similar situation).

I’m sure my experience can translate into similar success as your new (position you applied for).

If you need any additional information or have follow-up questions, please feel free to contact me. I’m looking forward to hearing back from you on (the date established during the interview).

Thank you again for your time.

Best,

(your name)

 

If the tone of the interview was more formal, you can match that in your thank you. Also remember to proofread before sending – you want the focus to be on your qualifications, not on a misspelled word.

A brief thank you note can help you stand out from other candidates and remind the interviewers of your qualifications and enthusiasm for the position. Remember to send one to everyone you spoke with within 24 hours. Studies show that recruiters and hiring managers are more likely to dismiss a candidate if they haven’t sent a thank you email after an interview, but most job seekers don’t send them.