Writing the Best Thank You Note After Your Interview

Many job seekers feel that thank-you notes are antiquated and unnecessary after job interviews. The truth is that a well-crafted thank-you note is an excellent opportunity to show your passion for a position and to remind the recipient of your unique qualifications for the job. For better interview results, compose your letter right away and send it within 24 hours. Here are a few tips to get you started.

1. Remember the Purpose of the Letter

The primary purpose of a thank-you note is to thank the recipient. Include the specific names of those you interacted with, and express your gratitude for the time they spent with you. There should be no doubt that this is a thank you letter and not some other type of correspondence. Check the letter over for easy-to-fix mistakes. A misspelled name is a sure-fire way to be remembered in a negative light.

2. Be Honest

Do not overdo it. If there were particular things you enjoyed during the interview, it is acceptable to point them out, but keep your thanks genuine. If the experience was mostly stressful, you disliked the interviewer and you had trouble focusing due to boredom, sticking to a simple thanks for the opportunity is enough. If your true emotions showed during the interview, the reader is likely to recognize your insincerity.

3. Connect Yourself to the Job

Add a few sentences that connect yourself to the position for which you applied. Let the thank-you note extend the interview. If you talked about an aspect of the position for which you have extraordinary capabilities, point it out in your note. If some of the material covered was exciting or interesting to you, share your emotions. These details make the letter unique and let the reader know that your interest in the position is serious.

4. Clear Up Misconceptions

If you left the interview feeling misunderstood, the thank-you note is a good place to clear up misconceptions. Without becoming defensive, simply state the facts to give the interviewer a better picture of yourself. Keep it short and sweet to form a good impression.

5. Share Something New

If possible, hold the reader's attention with a bit of new information about you. Share a hobby or interest that better connects you to the position or the interviewer. Add something about one of your past positions or your education that especially prepares you for this job. Keep this brief. A thank-you note that is longer than three paragraphs is less likely to be read.

6. Provide Follow-Up Specifics

As with all job-related correspondence, provide specific information at the end of your letter about your next planned step. State the exact date you plan to email or call if you have not heard back from the company about the position. Keep this date in line with the expectations your interviewer exchanged with you during the interview.

For better interview results, always send a thank-you note. Send your note by email or traditional mail, but keep it formal. It is also acceptable to drop the note off in person if that is most convenient. Never include gifts to avoid the appearance of a bribe, and make sure you follow up if you don't hear anything by the date given.

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