Thank You for the Job Interview | Interview Thank You Letter

Why should I send an interview thank you letter?

Sending a thank you note after interview is important for a variety of reasons.  A well-crafted and timely thank you note after an interview can add a positive first impression.  Not only will it leave a polished and professional impression, it can also help the hiring manager remember you amongst the sea of people they have also met.

From our perspective, when we are hiring internally, we do appreciate a sincere follow up after an interview.  Especially if we really liked the candidate, and we thought the interview went well.  We will wonder where we stand in the job seekers mind.  Does the candidate feel the same about us?  If we make the candidate an offer, will they accept?  A thank you note can set our minds at ease and propel the process forward.

When should I send an interview thank you letter?

Whether the interview is conducted over the phone or in-person, always send a thank you letter to the interviewer within 24 hours.

What should I include in an interview thank you letter?

Companies will often interview several candidates for a position.  You want to remind the interviewer of your conversation, and make it easy for them remember who you are.  A well-crafted thank you letter should incorporate the following elements:

• Personalize your message. Use this as an opportunity to reflect on your conversation.  Where there are any questions you now feel you could have answered better?  Did the interviewer express any concerns?  Did you forget to mention something during your interview?  You want to address any issues and reinforce why you are a great hire.  Identify important aspects of the job, why they are appealing to you, and why you are a great candidate for consideration.
• Show enthusiasm.
  Be sure to show your enthusiasm and let them know you’re interested, not only in the job itself but the company as well.  Companies want to hire people who genuinely want to work for them.
• Be brief.
  Keep the message short and to the point, and limit it to a few short paragraphs.
• Proofread very carefully.
  Preferably, have a friend or family member proofread your letter before sending it.

How should I send an interview thank you letter?

Handwritten thank you letters are nice.  However, for the sake of saving time you should also consider sending a thank you email, especially if it’s an immediate opening.  Include “thank you” in the email subject line.  You can also follow up with a hand written thank you.

Who should I send an interview thank you letter to?

During the interview, be sure to ask for a business card so you have their email address and mailing address.

Sample interview thank you letter email

Dear (First Name),

I sincerely enjoyed meeting with you and the team yesterday and learning more about the (Position Name) opportunity with (Company Name).

I appreciate the time your team took to discuss the role, and our conversation confirmed my interest in becoming part of the (Company Name) team.  I was particularly impressed with (insert a brief sentence topic of your conversation here).

I feel confident that my experience in (list a skill that you feel would benefit the company) would enable me to fill the job requirements effectively.

Thank you for taking the time to interview me.  I am very interested in working for you and look forward to hearing from you about this position.

Sincerely,

(Your Full Name)
(Your Contact Information)