Thank You Letters After an Interview
- Writing a thank-you letter after a job interview shows that you pay attention to details and view yourself as a strong candidate for the position. A thank-you letter also allows you to end the interview process on a positive, proactive note. Think of a thank-you letter a necessity, not a sweet gesture.
- A thank-you letter must be brief and to the point. Thank the hiring manager for taking the time to meet with you. Be sure to include the name of the position and the date of the interview. While you may think it's unnecessary to reiterate the skills and interests you stated during your interview, a quick summation of why you are a good candidate is an effective way to build a strong thank-you letter. Close your thank-you letter by expressing your interest in working for the employer.
- Timing is important when sending out a thank-you letter. Be sure to mail your thank-you letter within 24 hours of your interview and direct it to the attention of the person with whom you interviewed. If you wait several days before sending your thank-you letter, the hiring manager could view the delay as a sign of poor manners and hire another candidate instead.
- You must write or email a thank-you letter after each interview. If a hiring manager or employer calls you in for multiple interviews, send a thank-you letter after each interview. Do the same for phone interviews and panel interviews. In fact, if you interview with more than one person, send a thank-you letter to each individual.