What Kind of Thank You Letter Should You Send After an Interview?
Regardless of your field or the position you hope to land, an effectively crafted thank you letter will help you stand out from the crowd. A thank you card, letter or email is your opportunity to thank a potential employer for her time and reiterate why you're the best candidate for the job.
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Courteous Gesture
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Just sending a follow-up letter after an interview will help you get noticed. Tom Armour, co-developer of the High Return Selection recruiting system, estimates that only 20 percent of interviewees send thank you letters. Image consulting firm Style Strategist Inc. president Tonya Seavers Evans regularly hears from executives that among equally qualified candidates, "even for an executive role...the person that sends a thank you note would get extra points for taking the time to be courteous."
Follow-up Information
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Besides being a polite way of expressing your gratitude for the interviewer's time, your thank you letter is a way of cementing your place in a prospective employer's mind. It gives you the chance to remind the interviewer of key qualities that make you a perfect fit and address any concerns that emerged during the interview. These details also personalize the letter so it's apparent you paid careful attention during the interview.
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Personal Touch
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Write a follow-up letter to each person who interviewed you when possible, adding slight variations to each note. According to Certified Advanced Resume Writer Amy L. Adler, sending the same letter to each person will make you look "lazy and disengaged" if the interviewers compare notes. "If you are working with human resources or a recruiter...forward the note to your primary contact, who will then send it along for you," says Diane Gubin, president of Tech Exec Partners, Inc.
Letter Format
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Expert opinion is divided on the ideal thank you letter format. Most agree that email is acceptable, but many suggest a hand-written note or card for a more individual touch. Have a stamped, addressed envelope ready before your interview so you can write and mail it immediately after the meeting. Your letter should ideally arrive within 24 hours of the interview; a punctual, well-crafted email is more effective than a beautiful card sent late. A sincere, informative, well-written message is sure to impress, regardless of its format.
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References
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