How to Write Thank You Notes After an Interview

Sending a handwritten thank you for an interview demonstrates proper etiquette.

When seeking employment, it's important to make a good impression not only during the interview, but also afterward. One way to make yourself stand out from the other applicants who have completed interviews is to hand-write a short thank you note to the interviewer. Writing a thank-you puts you in the top 10 percent of job seekers, according to the U.S. News and World Report. Not only will you demonstrate proper etiquette by doing so, you will also likely recapture the attention of your interviewer which may work in your favor.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Pen
• Note paper or card
• Envelope
• Stamp

1. Obtain the business mailing address for the person who interviewed you. Check his business card if he gave you one or call the company and ask for the address.

2. State at the beginning of the note that you appreciated the opportunity to interview for the position. Include the name of the position for which you applied so the interviewer will remember.

3. Write something in the note that shows that you listened such as "When we discussed the employee mentoring program, I was impressed that there was such an emphasis placed on new employees."

4. State why you would be the right candidate for the interviewer to select for the position. For example: "With 10 years of experience in the marketing and research field, I believe I could offer valuable insight and expertise as marketing sales coordinator.

5. Conclude the note with a statement that you are looking forward to hearing from her. Include your telephone number and email address for convenience. Sign your name.

6. Address the envelope to the proper person and place a stamp on it before mailing. Affix a return name and address label or legibly print your name and return address on the outside of the envelope.

Tips & Warnings

• Handwritten notes are more personal than emails or typewritten notes. If your cursive handwriting is illegible, consider printing. If you print, avoid block-style print as it may appear juvenile. Instead, print in upper and lowercase letters.

• Ensure that you have the correct spelling of the interviewer's name before sending the note. You don't want to risk insulting the person who can potentially offer you a job.

References

• Kansas City: After the Interview, Write a Thank
• U.S. News and World Report: How to Write the Perfect Thank-You Note After the Interview