The Art of the ‘Thank You’ Letter

After completing a job interview, it is essential to follow up with a thank you note to express your appreciation for the opportunity and reiterate your interest in the position. A well-crafted thank-you note can leave a positive and lasting impression on the interviewer. On the other hand, a poorly written note may lead to elimination from consideration. Here are some tips on how to prepare an effective template to help you be prompt in sending your message of gratitude.

Personalization: If you interviewed with one person, send a note directed to them specifically. If you interviewed with multiple individuals at once in a panel setting, you can send one note to the group, but be sure to address them individually – i.e. “Dear Peter, Paul, and Mary,” If you met with multiple individuals back-to-back, you likely had different conversations with each and should write individual messages to each interviewer.

Gratitude: Begin your note by expressing your gratitude for the opportunity to interview and thanking the interviewer for their time. Emphasize how much you appreciate their consideration.

Highlight your strengths: Briefly summarize your key qualifications and highlight the skills and experiences that make you a strong fit for the role. Reinforce the connection between your abilities and the company’s needs, showing how you can contribute to their success.

Reference specific details: Reference specific topics, projects, or challenges discussed during the interview. This demonstrates your engagement and ability to recall important details from the conversation. It also shows that you were actively listening and genuinely interested in the position.

Reiterate your interest: Clearly state your continued interest in the position and your eagerness to contribute. Showcase your enthusiasm and emphasize why you believe you are the right candidate for the role.

Professional tone: Keep your tone professional, respectful, and concise. Use proper grammar and punctuation to ensure a polished and well-written note.

Proofread: Before sending the thank you note, proofread it carefully to avoid any spelling or grammatical errors. A mistake-free note reflects your attention to detail. This can be a deal breaker for some if there are errors.

Most importantly, be prompt! Prepare your template so you can send your thank you note the same day as the interview. All you should need to fill in are a few key details about what you discussed. This will show both your enthusiasm and professionalism. A timely response also ensures that your note is received while your discussion is still fresh in the interviewer’s mind. As Ferris Bueller would say, “Life moves pretty fast…” In today’s technology age, a handwritten note will take too long to arrive and your penmanship is no longer being evaluated. Send a thank you via email.

Remember, a thank you note is an opportunity to leave a positive impression and reinforce your qualifications. It demonstrates your professionalism, gratitude, and commitment to the position. By following these tips, you can have a draft email ready before you even set foot in the interview, with only a few lines to complete after you wrap up. You should be able to write a compelling thank you note that sets you apart from other candidates and leaves a lasting impression on the interviewer.

Sample:

Dear [Recipient’s Name],

I wanted to take a moment to express my sincere appreciation for the opportunity to interview for the [position title] at [company/organization name]. It was a pleasure meeting you today, and I wanted to thank you for your time and consideration.

I was truly impressed by [company/organization name]’s commitment to excellence and the positive culture that was evident throughout the interview process. The opportunity to learn more about [insert something specific] and how it contributes to the overall goals of [company/organization name] was both insightful and inspiring.

I want to reiterate my enthusiasm for the position and my belief that my skills and experiences align well with the requirements we discussed during the interview. The conversation further solidified my desire to contribute to the success of [company/organization name] and be a part of such a dedicated team.

Thank you again for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you and hope for the opportunity to contribute to the growth and success of [company/organization name].

Sincerely,

[Your Name]