How to Write Interview Thank You Notes

After you have had an interview, it is customary to send interview thank you notes. Writing a thank you note after an interview doesn't have to take a long time or be difficult. Although it is helpful to plan ahead so that once the interview is complete, you can send an interview thank you note immediately.

It has become common that people send thank you emails after an interview, but sending a physical thank you note via snail mail shows the employer that you are willing to go the extra step and your interview thank you note will certainly stand out from the rest.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Computer
• Word Processing Software
• Printer
• Nice Paper and Matching Envelope
• Stamp(s)

1. First, you should know who and where you are sending the interview thank you notes.
   
   While you are at the interview, always ask for a business card of the person with whom you are interviewing with. By asking you are also showing an interest in the company and an interest in the person who may become your future boss.
   
   If you were unable to obtain a business card, politely call the company and ask the receptionist the correct spelling and mailing address for the person whom you interviewed with.

2. Use the business card to correctly address the interview thank you note. Begin the letter by addressing the person the way they preferred to be addressed during the interview.
   
   If the woman preferred to be called 'Carol,' then address the letter 'Dear Carol.' Or if the interviewer preferred 'Mr. Martin' then address the letter 'Dear Mr. Martin.'

3. Start the first sentence by thanking the person for the interview and state which position you were interviewing for - the interviewer may have been interviewing for multiple positions so don't assume that they will recall the position you were interviewing for right off the bat.

4. Then write a short paragraph, 2-3 sentences, about what you learned about the company and the position that interested you. Try to keep this mainly about the company, this will show that you were listening and were interested beyond the paycheck.
   
   Write something such as 'It was interesting to learn that XYZ company has ...' Make it something memorable so that the interviewer will be able to remember.

5. Conclude by thanking the interviewer again and write that you look forward to hearing from them.

6. Proofread and print out your interview thank you note on nice linen paper.
   
   If you interviewed with more than one person, then you need to send each one an interview thank you note. Simply go back over the letter you just wrote and change the name and write something different that you were able to take away from the interview.
   
   The multiple people who interviewed you may end up comparing interview thank you notes so make sure that they are slightly different.

7. If your handwriting is not that great, consider using your printer to address the envelope. If you can, use an linen envelope that matches your letter.

8. Stamp and deliver it to the post office as soon as you can. With hope, you will be able to deliver the interview thank you notes before the cut off time for mail so that the interviewer will receive it either the very next day or the day after that. Timing is crucial in writing interview thank you notes, do not delay.