You’ve just finished a job interview and you’re feeling confident and excited. You think you’ve made a good impression and you’re eager to hear back from the employer. But before you sit back and relax, there’s one more thing you need to do: send a thank you note.
A thank you note is a simple but powerful way to express your gratitude for the opportunity and to reinforce your interest in the position. It can also help you stand out from other candidates and show your professionalism and communication skills. In fact, according to a survey by CareerBuilder, 57% of employers said they are less likely to hire someone who doesn’t send a thank you note after an interview.
So how do you write a thank you note that can make a positive impact on the hiring decision? Here are some tips and examples to help you craft the perfect message.
When to Send a Thank You Note
The ideal time to send a thank you note is within 24 hours of the interview. This way, you can show your enthusiasm and appreciation while the interview is still fresh in the employer’s mind. It also gives you a chance to address any questions or concerns that may have arisen during the interview.
If you wait too long to send the note, you may risk losing the employer’s interest or attention. You may also miss the opportunity to influence their decision before they make an offer to someone else.
Who to Send the Note To
You should send a personalized thank you note to each person who interviewed you or was involved in the hiring process. This may include the interviewer, the hiring manager, the HR manager, or anyone else who helped arrange or facilitate the interview.
To make sure you don’t forget anyone, it’s a good idea to ask for business cards or contact information at the end of the interview. You can also check the company’s website or LinkedIn profile to find the names and email addresses of the people you met.
What to Include in the Thank You Note
A thank you note should be brief and concise, but also specific and meaningful. Here are some elements that you should include in your message:
- Express gratitude for the opportunity. Start by thanking the person for their time and consideration. Mention the position you applied for and the date of the interview.
- Reiterate your interest in the position. Explain why you are excited about working for the company and how your skills and qualifications match their needs and goals.
- Reference specific topics discussed during the interview. Show that you were attentive and engaged during the conversation by bringing up something that stood out to you or that you learned from them. This can also help you highlight your strengths or address any weaknesses or concerns that may have come up.
- Include a call to action. End by expressing your eagerness to hear from them and inviting them to contact you if they have any questions or need any additional information from you.
How to Format the Thank You Note
The format of your thank you note depends on whether you choose to send it by email or by mail. Both options have their pros and cons, so you should consider what is most appropriate for your situation.
An email thank you note is more convenient and faster than a handwritten one. It can also ensure that your message reaches the recipient in time, especially if they are making a quick decision. However, an email thank you note may also be less personal and more likely to get lost in their inbox.
A handwritten thank you note is more personal and memorable than an email one. It can show that you put extra effort and care into your message. However, a handwritten thank you note may also take longer to deliver and may not arrive before they make an offer.
Regardless of which option you choose, here are some tips on how to format and structure your thank you note:
- Use a professional tone and language. Avoid slang, jargon, or abbreviations that may sound informal or unclear. Use proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
- Use a clear and concise subject line (for email). Include your name, the position title, and the word “thank” or “thanks” in your subject line. For example: “Thank You – John Smith – Marketing Manager Position”.
- Address the person by name. Use their formal title (e.g., Mr., Ms., Dr., etc.) unless they told you otherwise during the interview.
- Keep it short and sweet. Aim for no more than three or four paragraphs, with each paragraph consisting of three or four sentences.
- Sign off with your name and contact information. Include your full name, phone number, email address, and LinkedIn profile (if applicable).
Examples of Thank You Notes
Here are some examples of well-written thank-you notes for different scenarios. You can use these as templates or inspiration for your messages.
Example 1: Thank You Note After a Phone Interview
Subject: Thank You – Jane Doe – Accountant Position
Dear Mr. Lee,
Thank you for taking the time to speak with me yesterday about the accountant position at ABC Company. I enjoyed learning more about the role and the company, and I appreciate your insightful questions and feedback.
I am very interested in joining your team and contributing to your success. I believe that my skills and experience in accounting, auditing, and tax preparation would be a valuable asset to your organization. I was especially impressed by your innovative approach to streamlining the accounting processes and reducing costs.
Please let me know if you have any questions or need any additional information from me. I look forward to hearing from you soon and discussing the next steps in the hiring process.
Sincerely,
Jane Doe (555) 555-5555 jane.doe@email.com [LinkedIn Profile]
Example 2: Thank You Note After an In-Person Interview
Subject: Thank You – John Smith – Marketing Manager Position
Dear Ms. Jones,
Thank you for meeting with me today to discuss the marketing manager position at XYZ Company. It was a pleasure to talk to you and your colleagues, and I appreciate the opportunity to learn more about your company and culture.
I am very excited about the possibility of working with you and leading your marketing team. I believe that my skills and experience in developing and executing effective marketing strategies, managing projects and budgets, and collaborating with cross-functional teams would be a great fit for your needs and goals. I was particularly impressed by your recent launch of the new product line and the positive feedback you received from your customers.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or need any additional information from me. I look forward to hearing from you soon and hearing about your decision.
Best regards,
John Smith (555) 555-5555 john.smith@email.com [LinkedIn Profile]
Example 3: Thank You Note After a Group Interview
Subject: Thank You – Lisa Chen – Software Engineer Position
Dear Mr. Patel, Ms. Lee, and Mr. Khan,
Thank you for inviting me to participate in the group interview for the software engineer position at DEF Company yesterday. I enjoyed meeting all of you and hearing about your experiences and perspectives on working at DEF.
I am very interested in joining your company and working on challenging and innovative projects. I believe that my skills and experience in software development, testing, and debugging would be a strong addition to your team. I was especially intrigued by your current project on developing a new app for smart home devices.
I appreciate your time and consideration, and I hope to hear from you soon. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or need any additional information from me.
Sincerely,
Lisa Chen (555) 555-5555 lisa.chen@email.com [LinkedIn Profile]
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Writing a thank you note after a job interview may seem simple, but it can also be easy to make mistakes that can hurt your chances of getting hired. Here are some common mistakes to avoid when writing your thank you note:
- Sending a generic or copy-pasted message. Sending the same message to everyone or using a generic template without personalizing it can make you seem lazy or insincere. Make sure to tailor your message to each person and each interview, and include specific details that show that you paid attention and care.
- Sending a late or no message at all. Sending a thank you note too late or not sending one at all can make you seem uninterested or unprofessional. Make sure to send your message within 24 hours of the interview, or as soon as possible.
- Sending a message with errors or typos. Sending a message with errors or typos can make you seem careless or incompetent. Make sure to proofread your message carefully before sending it, and use a spell-checker or grammar-checker tool if needed.
- Sending a message that is too long or too short. Sending a message that is too long or too short can make you seem unfocused or rude. Make sure to keep your message brief and concise, but also specific and meaningful.
- Sending a message that is too negative or too positive. Sending a message that is too negative or too positive can make you seem unrealistic or desperate. Make sure to strike a balance between expressing gratitude and interest, but also being professional and confident.
A thank you note after a job interview is an important step in the hiring process that can help you make a lasting impression on the employer. By following these tips and examples, you can write a thank you note that can boost your chances of getting hired.
Remember, a thank you note is not only a courtesy but also an opportunity to showcase yourself.