What Goes Into a Thank-You Note After the Interview?

Posted October 1, 2017

A great deal has changed around the job interview process within the last few years; however, composing a thank-you note after a job interview is still a good idea.

It's fast and simple to follow up with an email, note, or professional letter - but quite invaluable. Finding the time to write a thank-you note will go a long way to making a great impression with your interviewer.

Why Send One in the First Place?

With all the demands of job hunting and a busy life, it can be tempting to dismiss writing a thank-you letter as something unnecessary, something that won't make much of a difference.

"Either they like me for the job or they don't," you might tell yourself. However, there are a few good reasons to make the effort.

First of all, it's just basic good manners to show gratitude for someone else's time. Also, a thank-you note can be your chance to keep your name top-of-mind and leave a lasting, positive impression.

In addition, a thank-you note is one more opportunity to sell yourself as the best candidate for the job. Your note can reference particular things that came up in an interview and emphasize the ways your abilities and experience are a solid match for the position. Also, if there's something you did not remember to mention, this is your chance to bring it up.

Email or Not?

While a handwritten note provides a more personalized touch, email -- it turns out -- is a perfectly acceptable alternative. A recent survey of employers by CareerBuilder found 89 percent of respondents say a thank-you note in email form is an acceptable way to show gratitude.

Most hiring managers will also say that the extra effort involved in a handwritten note carries more weight than a thank-you email. Experts suggest investing in professional stationery for an added touch that is sure to impress.

Getting Down to Business

When you are looking to show gratitude, the content of your message is more crucial than the medium. Hiring managers tend to agree that being genuine and personal is key. Be sure to reference something you discussed and address an issue the person brought up. If you're delivering notes to several people in one business, make sure they do not seem copied and pasted.

Of course, it's important to say thank you to the person for their time, talk about how much you enjoyed the interview and mention you like the sound of the job.

Before hitting send or dropping your letter(s) in the mailbox, be sure your note has been proofread by someone else. Typos or grammar errors will certainly sink your chances significantly, the opposite effect of the one you were trying to make.

At Ambassador, we help job seekers with every part of their process, from resume writing to sending out thank-you notes. Work with a full-service staffing firm and contact us today if you are looking to improve your job-seeking methods.