How to Write a Thank You After an Interview

When you have a job interview, it's all too easy to walk away thinking you're done, and all you have to do is wait to hear from the company. However, you're not done with an interview until you've written a thank you note. Many hiring managers, in fact, feel that failure to follow up after an interview can be a reason to reject an applicant whom they would otherwise consider for the position.

Write the Note Right Away

Write your thank you note as soon as you can after the interview, certainly on the same day. Writing it immediately lets you have the interview fresh in your mind as you write, so that you can refer very specifically to what happened in the room. If you take your time and write the note several days later, you inadvertently send a message that you don't manage time very well.

What to Say in a Thank You Note

Thank you notes should be brief and to the point. Start by thanking the interviewer for their time and interest. Refer to the job position and mention something specific that you discussed in the interview; if you fail to do this, your thank you note may feel generic and unfocused. If any questions were left hanging in the interview, take the time to answer them briefly and to remind the interviewer of your qualifications for and interest in the position. Acknowledge that you understand what comes next in the hiring process, whether that's waiting for the company to interview several other candidates or following up on the interview yourself within a set time frame. Also include your contact information in your thank you note.

What Not to Say in Your Thank You Note

Avoid generic phrases that sound as if you're using a thank you note template. Don't mention your "qualifications" vaguely without specifying what those qualifications are. On the other hand, don't recap the entire interview. Keep your thank you note brief, two to three paragraphs at the most. Do not send a gift, and do not strike an overly familiar tone.

Email or Hard Copy?

Most job interviewers agree that sending a thank you note by email is perfectly acceptable. In many ways, it's actually preferable than sending a traditional thank you note on paper. Because an email arrives immediately, while you're still on the interviewer's mind, it doesn't feel like yesterday's news. It also makes it very simple for the interviewer to find your contact information (which of course you included in your thank you) should they want to follow up with a few more questions. Unless you have already had contacts with the interviewer on social media, use email rather than social media to make sure your message is received promptly.

When you send a thank you after a job interview, it shows you are serious about the position and that you can be counted on to follow through with what you start. Your job interviewer may even be waiting to see if you send a thank you note before she makes a final hiring decision. Use these tips to get your thank you notes written quickly and appropriately, and good luck with the job search.

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