You put a lot of time and consideration into what to put in your resume and cover letter, which helped you land an interview. You go over all the possible questions and answers beforehand and think you nailed the interview. But what you do next is just as important.
Sending a thank you note after a job interview is a great way to show the interviewer your appreciation for their time and consideration. It also shows the hiring manager you are still interested in the position.
Here we’ll give you tips for how to write a thank you note after a job interview to make a good impression and stand out from competing candidates.
Most hiring managers expect a thank you note and follow-up after an interview. The thank you note shows the interviewer that you are still interested in the position after the interview. It’s a great way to show your manners and professionalism, but more importantly, it’s another opportunity to persuade them to choose you.
You never know how many candidates you’re up against. Sometimes over a hundred job seekers apply for the same position, so you must stand out. Sending the best thank you note at the right time could help influence their decision to hire you for the position.
You may be thinking, how hard is it to say thank you. A thank you note is simple, but it’s critical to say the right things to help seal the deal and land the position. This is true whether you had a phone interview, a video interview, or an in-person interview.
Here are tips for sending a thank you note after a job interview.
When writing a thank you note after a job interview, you’ll want to personalize it for each individual you send it to. Ideally, a thank you note should be sent to everyone you meet in the interview. Personalizing the greeting for each individual shows you’re taking the time to send it personally, rather than just a generic message you sent to everyone.
For example:
Dear [Hiring Manager]
Or a more casual greeting
Hi [Interviewer’s Full Name]
The primary reason to send a thank you note after an interview is to thank the interviewer for their time and consideration. You’ll want to be sure to say the words “thank you” in your letter. Thanking the interviewer for taking the time to interview you and giving you an opportunity to show them why you are the right fit for the position.
For example:
Thank you for taking the time to meet with me and consider me for the [position title] position.
Or
Thank you for the opportunity to meet with you and interview for your [position title] position.
A hiring manager may have interviewed several candidates for the position, so you’ll want to remind them how you are different. You’ll want to include selling points of how you stand out from the competition, whether your experience, skills, or achievements.
Including a quick recap of your qualifications will help jog their memory of what makes you the right candidate for the job. Make valid points to show why their time invested in you was worth it.
For example:
I believe my ten years of experience in a customer service management position with a proven track record has given me the experience and knowledge to exceed your expectations for this position.
Or
As a professional executive assistant with over ten years of experience, I’m confident I have the right skills and expertise you’re looking for in this position long-term.
In your thank you note, you should mention something specific that you spoke about during the interview. It could be something unrelated to the position, such as if the interviewer told you they like skiing or are going on a trip somewhere. It could be something directly related to the business, the position, or culture.
Whatever you can bring up to remind them of the great conversation you had will help them remember who you are and why they liked you.
For example:
I really enjoyed hearing about [Company Name] and the goals it’s striving to reach this year.
Or
I look forward to hearing about your trip to ski in the mountains when you return.
In your thank you note, you can mention something that puts you in the future with the company—something that will get them to see you in the role long-term. It could be something that helps the company reach its goals or how you see yourself improving processes.
For example:
I look forward to helping ABC Company reach its goal of successfully rolling out this new product in just a few months.
Or
I’m confident I’m an excellent candidate to help improve the processes holding the company back from scaling faster.
When writing a thank you note after a job interview, it’s best to close it out, encouraging the hiring manager to take your ideal next step. You want to mention the next step in the hiring process if they let you know it in the interview.
Sometimes they may need to bring you in for a second interview with executives within the company. If they mentioned needing to take any tests or provide any additional information in the hiring process, you could say that.
For example:
I look forward to hearing back from you and learning about the next steps in your hiring process.
Or
Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions or would like to schedule a follow-up interview.
It’s best to end your thank you note by providing your contact information. Yes, the hiring manager should already have it, but it’s best to provide it again so they can easily contact you while reading your note if they want. Be sure to give your full name, phone number, and email address so they can reach out to you however they choose.
Most importantly, be sure to be available or respond promptly when they contact you. If you make them wait too long after your first interview, they may choose to reach out to another candidate and offer them the position. It’s best to send this note within 24 hours of the interview.
For example:
Subject Line: Example of a Thank You Note After a Job Interview
Hello [Interviewer Name},
It was a pleasure meeting with you yesterday and hearing about the Executive Assistant position. I know you are very busy, I want to thank you for taking the time to interview and consider me for the position. I really enjoyed learning about ABC Company and the awesome services it provides. I believe I will fit right in with the active and positive company culture.
As a professional with over ten years of experience in an executive assistant role, I’m confident I have the skills needed to take on this position successfully long-term. I wanted to remind you of my project management capabilities and past experience of effectively taking a project from concept to delivery on tight deadlines.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule a follow-up interview, please feel free to reach out to me. I hope you enjoy your skiing trip and look forward to hearing about it when you return!
Best Regards,
First Name and Last Name
(888) 888-8888
When writing a thank you note after a job interview, write it in a tone that fits the company and position. For example, suppose you interviewed for a top executive job title. In that case, your tone might be more professional and formal than for a social media marketing position with a more relaxed and fun tone.
Keep the letter short, sweet, and to the point. Remember, the hiring manager is usually really busy and receives a lot of emails, so you want to be sure your letter gets read by keeping it just a couple of short paragraphs and a quick read to get your point across. This is true whether you send an email or a handwritten note.
Your note is meant to leave a lasting impression, so be sure to avoid typos or grammar mistakes. Triple-check your note or email before sending it along—you don’t get a second chance at a second impression.
Be patient, and don’t get discouraged if you don’t hear back from them promptly. The decision-making process is sometimes time-consuming and requires several key individuals to meet and discuss. During the interview, you can ask about the expected timelines so you know what to expect.
The timing of your thank you note is critical. Keep in mind that you might be up against many candidates for the position, so you want to be sure the interviewer remembers you. It’s best to send the thank you note within 24 hours after the interview. If you wait too long, it might be too late to make an impact.
You could send the thank you note via email since it will get to them right away rather than waiting for snail mail which could take a few days to arrive. In the interview, it’s best to jot down the names of the people you meet, or if you can get their business card so you have their contact info and could send them a thank you note.
Sending a post-interview thank you note or thank you email is an excellent way to show your professionalism and remind the recruiter of your skills and qualifications. Remind them why they should choose you for this exciting opportunity over the other many qualified candidates.
Following these tips and email templates will help you stand out from the competition and land the job of your dreams. Be sure to send it within 24 hours of your interview to stay on top of the interviewer’s mind and consideration list.
Are you looking for an open position in a career that you will be proud of? If so, contact The Pocketbook Agency today!
Sources:
7 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Your Job Search | Forbes
27 Most Common Job Interview Questions and Answers | Inc.com
How long you have to make a decision after getting a job offer | CNBC