It seems like a simple concept, but writing a thank you note after a job
interview can set you apart among throngs of job candidates. Before the
interview, you picked out the right suit, researched the company, polished your
resume and went through all the possible questions. During the interview, you
showed your best to the interviewer down to a firm handshake and confidently
answered questions. After the interview, all you can do is wait, right? Well,
there is one last thing you can do to make a good impression: write a thank you
note.
Writing thank you note following an interview gives you one last chance to
demonstrate your interest in a job. By just writing a few lines, you can show
the company that you are truly qualified for the position. Keep in mind that
the interviewer(s) have probably seen a number of people in a short amount of
time, and may have trouble remembering individual candidates. Sending a note
after the interview is a great chance to remind them who you are and set
yourself apart or tell the interviewer something about yourself that you were
unable to mention during the interview. In a competitive job market, sending a note can give you just enough edge to get the "you're hired" phone call.
Recipients
Send the note to anyone who interviewed you. Often, you may go through several rounds of interviews, or answer questions to a panel of interviewers. Be sure to send a note to each person individually.
Timing/delivery
If possible, write the thank you note immediately following the interview and hand-deliver to the company reception desk. It doesn't take long to run to a coffee shop down the street, debrief yourself a bit, and write a few lines. Hand-delivery allows you to get the note to the interviewer before hiring decisions are made. If it seems strange to bring the note back to the company, if you can't return because of tight security or if there is no place to deliver the note, using postal mail is fine. Just be sure to mail the note the same day as the interview. Also, postal mail is not always very timely. Keep in mind that in some government agencies and on Capitol Hill, a single piece of mail can take up to two weeks to arrive. In this case, a hand-delivered note is best.
We live in the digital age that often doesn't often allow for the glacial pace of postal mail. While hand-written notes add a thoughtful touch, e-mail is often necessary to set yourself apart quickly. If you cannot hand-deliver a note, send a follow-up e-mail a few hours after the interview. Ask a question that demonstrates your interest in the position. To aggressively set yourself apart, send an e-mail and mail a card. Also, to follow-up on a phone interview, a thank you e-mail is also appropriate.
Stationery
For professional thank you notes, think simple, and don't be afraid to spend a little extra on quality. Cards or folded notecards should be white or off-white with few colors or designs. Consider getting cards embossed with your name. I use cream cards with my full name embossed across the top from Embossed Graphics. Use a dark pen and write the note and envelope neatly. Avoid cheap cards with puppies or flowers on the front. The only thing you want your potential employer to see is what you've written; a simple, quality card will make an impression.
What to say
For all the agonizing over timing and style, the last hurdle is what to write. There's no need to be long winded with an interview thank you note. Three sentences is plenty. Be sure to make the note personal and specific to demonstrate that you were engaged in the interview. Here is an example:
Dear Joe,
Thank you for taking the time to interview me for the marketing analyst position today. It was exciting to hear about the recent strides your company is making in the advertising world, and I know that my experience in advertising will make me an asset to the department. I'm looking forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Tanya
I'm pleased to cross-post this entry for Capitol Spill
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