How to Write a Follow-Up Letter for a Job

A follow-up letter expresses thanks.

Sending a follow-up letter is a standard procedure in the job-hunting process. You should send a follow-up letter to anyone with whom you have had an interview to express your gratitude for the opportunity. The purpose of a follow-up letter is to show that you are interested in the job, that you are a professional who understands business etiquette and that you are a courteous person. Writing a follow-up letter should not be a difficult process, particularly if you follow a few simple steps.

Things You'll Need

• Computer

Instructions

1. Write the date at the top of the page.

2. Skip five lines and then write the recipient's name, followed by her address below. For example:

   Jane Doe

   123 Main St.

   Anytown, NY 01234

3. Write a salutation in your letter. You should address the letter to Mr., Mrs., or Ms., depending on which is appropriate, followed by the individual's surname. For example, "Dear Mr. Johnson."

4. Write a paragraph expressing your thanks for the interview and the opportunity which it presented. You want to show that you appreciate the time that the person took to meet with you. Be sure to thank her for anything specific that she did for you. For example, if your interviewer referred you to additional resources about employment within the firm, be sure to thank her for that.

5. Write a second paragraph that assesses your impressions of the company. Preferably this should refer to specific insights that you gained as a result of the interview or the visit to the company. The purpose of this paragraph is to demonstrate that you are thinking about the company in depth and that you have both an interest in and an understanding of the firm.

6. Write a paragraph that adds any additional information that you would like to add to your application. The purpose of this is to offer any final information that may not have come up in the interview process, but that is relevant to your application. For example, you might write that, "during my tour of the company following the interview I learned that you will be expanding your business into the Chinese market in the near future. It is worth noting that I have recently been taking Chinese language courses. I believe my Chinese language skills could benefit me in the position."

7. Write a conclusion to your letter in which you thank your interviewer again and offer a parting remark on how you would benefit the company.

8. Write a professional valediction such as, "Sincerely yours", 'Regards", or "Sincerely". Skip four lines and write your name and your address below. For example:

   Robert Roe

   123 Fake St.

   Small Town, IN 56789

Tips & Warnings

• If you had more than one interviewer be sure to send a letter to each one. You can use the same base for both letters, but customize the letter to each recipient.

• If time is of the essence, do not send your letter by mail. In such a situation you can email the letter, but you may wish to courier it if you want to grab the interviewer's attention.

References

• Purdue: Follow-up to an Interview
• Virginia Tech: After Interviews