A Thank You Note Can Help You Land a Job

I know that it might sound old fashioned, but every time you go to an interview, you need to send a thank you note. A simple thank you note only takes a few minutes, but it's a gesture that makes you look like a professional and shows that you appreciate someone taking the time out of their day to help you out or allow you to make your pitch.



For maximum effectiveness, a thank you note needs to be sent out within 24 hours of your interview. Personally, I think it's a good idea to keep a stack of thank you notes in your car or bag. Be sure to stash some stamps along with them. Immediately after your interview, write the note while the information is still fresh in your mind and get it in the mail.



When you're writing your thank you note, here are a few tips to get the most bang for your buck:



Be enthusiastic - Before you begin writing, think about the reasons that you want the job. Find your enthusiasm and hold on to it while you write. Just like a smile can be heard on a telephone, enthusiasm comes through on paper. You want your note to remind the interviewer that you are the right person for the job and that you are interested and enthusiastic about the position.



Mention anything your forgot - If there was something important that you forgot to say, you can include it in the thank you note. Personally, I only do this if it was something that I think could be a deal breaker or something that will boost my appeal to the employer. Otherwise, the space is better used for marketing yourself.



Be sincere - Be genuine in your gratitude. An interview is a very important meeting and you should appreciate the time you were given. If you aren't sincere, the thank you note can come across as phony or just a formality. Make it personal by expressing your sincere appreciation.



Make it personal - Mention something that was discussed during the interview that makes you stand out. The goal is to make sure that the interviewer remembers who you are and connects your face to the thank you note. If there was something that the interviewer talked about or a shared interest, mention it. Many job seekers send thank you notes, the goal here is to make yours not feel like a form letter.



Keep it short - It's a thank you note, not a thank you letter. Keep it short and to the point. I know it's difficult to put everything in a short note, but the maximum length for a thank you note is three short paragraphs.



Do you send a thank you note after every interview? Why or why not?