Effective Interview Thank You Letters
Sending a thank you note following a job interview is a powerful technique to help you land a job. Think of it as a marketing tool. It's a reminder to your interviewer of who you are and what skills you've got. Done well, thank you letters also give you an edge over the competition. And a thank you letter is more than a polite gesture --- close to 15 percent of hiring managers surveyed in CareerBuilder's "How to Get in the Front Door" survey said they would not hire someone who didn't send a thank you note and 32 percent said they would think less of an applicant who did not send one.
Other People Are Reading
-
Nuts and Bolts of a Thank You Letter
-
Thank you letters don't have to be difficult. They just need to be a highly personable way to reconnect you with the person who interviewed you. They need only contain three paragraphs at most---one to express appreciation for the interviewer's time and for the opportunity to learn more about the position; another to creatively describe why you are right for the position or to build on something that was said during the interview; and a final paragraph to let your interviewer know you welcome an offer to join the team or a second interview if that is the appropriate next step. The second paragraph is the critical one. You need to determine the "meat" or substance of this section based on how the interview went.
Demonstrate Fit
-
During the course of the interview you may have determined that the hiring manager was particularly interested in hiring someone who would fit in. This could be because the organization is very small or you would be working in a high-stress environment, for example. Seize the opportunity in your thank you letter to assure your interviewer that you are a team player and that you pride yourself on working well with others.
If you are certain the interview went well, you could also use a paragraph in the letter to make a personal connection with the hiring manager. Did she indicate you had something in common during the interview or in the small talk before or afterward? Then perhaps your thank you letter should include mention of an article or reference or website that may be of interest.
-
Damage Control
-
Did something go wrong during the interview? Did you flub a critical question and did things become awkward? Perhaps the interviewer mentioned some unflattering concerns. If you are still convinced you are right for the job, use a section of your thank you letter to correct whatever went wrong. It may be okay to admit your nerves and say what you truly meant to convey. You want to show that the concerns can be overcome and how you are prepared to prove that.
Skills, Experience and Assets
-
A tried and true method of writing an effective letter is to spell out exactly how your skills, experience and assets match---or exceed---the needs of the company. Try illustrating your experience in a unique way. For example, create a chart mapping your experience with the required skills, duties and experience listed in the job description or ad. In one column, place the requirement, such as "bachelor's degree in graphic design" and beside it indicate your fulfillment, such as "master's degree in multimedia arts and certificates in Adobe Creative Suite products."
Forgot to Mention
-
Interviews make you nervous and it is quite possible that you will forget to mention something, some experience or skill, that would cinch the job for you. Use your thank you note to let your interviewer know what you left out of the conversation.
Choice of Format
-
Experts differ on whether is okay to email a thank you note or if a handwritten note is necessary. Some say the time and thoughtfulness of a personal note are essential but some hiring managers in the CareerBuilder survey reported a preference for email. Why not both? Send an email immediately after the interview to show your enthusiasm and express thanks quickly. Then, a well-crafted handwritten note coming in the mail a few days later will again remind your interviewer of your interest, your eagerness and your manners.
-
References
- Society for Human Resources Management: Experts: Five Tips for Writing A Tailored Thank-You
- Workforce Solutions: Good Intros, What Follows & Reference Info
- BellaOnline: After the Interview - the Importance of Thank You
- Brazen Careerist: How Saying Thanks Can Get You a New Job
- CareerBuilder: No Thank You Could Mean No Job
- CareerBuilder: Nearly 15 Percent of Hiring Managers Would Dismiss a Candidate Who Doesn't Sent a Thank-You Letter, CareerBuilder.com Survey Finds
Resources
- Photo Credit Comstock Images/Comstock/Getty Images
