Writing a Memorable Thank You Note

When you attend a job interview, it's important to give the interviewer a reason to remember you. Sending a heartfelt thank you note is a good way to do this. A thank you note can make you seem professional, polite and friendly. Here are some tips to help you write a more memorable thank you note.

The most important thing to remember when writing a thank you note is that it pays not to delay. You should try to send or deliver your thank you note within 24 business hours of the interview. However, don't rush the composition of your thank you email or letter. A note that you hastily dash off is likely to contain errors, which might make you memorable for all the wrong reasons.

Your thank you note should acknowledge everyone who interviewed you. If you have everyone's contact details, send an individual email to each person. If you only have contact details for one member of the team, ask him to pass your thanks along to the others.

The best way to make your thank you note memorable is to personalize it. Make the note more than simply a list of the people you want to thank. Mention some details from the interview to remind the interviewers of the time they spent with you. For example, if you discussed a particular project that you are working on or an idea you had for your new role, bring it up in your note to remind the interviewers why you are such a good fit for the job. This is also a good time to reiterate your enthusiasm for the role.

It almost goes without saying that you should double check your thank you note for errors before you send it. Pay particular attention to the spelling of people's names. Most people find it very annoying to receive a note addressed to a misspelled version of their name.

A thank you note can be handwritten or typed. A handwritten note can make you stand out from other applicants, but you need to consider whether you can deliver a handwritten note within 24 hours of the job interview. A handwritten note that arrives late isn't likely to impress anyone. One option is to give the note to the receptionist on your way out of the interview building. Just be sure to remember to check the note for errors before you hand it over.

A timely and thoughtful thank you note can make all the difference when applying for a new job. By following these guidelines for writing and delivering thank you notes, you can ensure that interviewers remember you and think of you in a positive light when they are considering candidates for the open position.

Photo courtesy of gubgib at FreeDigitalPhotos.net