The Importance of a Thank You Note

When it comes to job interviews, it’s not just what you say that counts – it’s also what you do afterwards. Sending a thank you note after an interview is a small but important step that can make a big difference in the outcome of your job search.

According to a Study by CareerBuilder 57 % of applicants interviewed do not send a thank you note after interviewing. Whereas, 24% of HR managers receive thank-you notes from applicants. However, 80% of HR managers say thank-you notes are helpful when reviewing candidates as noted in an Accountemps survey

A thank you note is a way to show your appreciation for the opportunity to interview, and it’s also an opportunity to remind the hiring manager of your qualifications and interest in the position. Done correctly, a thank you note can help you stand out from the competition and improve your chances of getting the job.

In this blog post, we’ll explore why it’s important to send a thank you note after an interview, when to send it, and how to make sure your thank you note makes the best impression. We’ll also share some mistakes to avoid when writing your thank you note.

Tips for the Thank You Note 

A thank-you note is a great way to show your interviewer that you’re truly interested in the position and willing to go the extra mile. It’s also an opportunity to address any concerns that may have come up during the interview and reiterate why you’re the best candidate for the job. Not sure what to say? Here are a few tips:

Keep it brief. A few sentences will do. Thank your interviewer for their time and express your interest in the role.

Reiterate why you’re qualified. Use this opportunity to highlight a strength or skill that might have gotten lost in the shuffle during the interview. For example, if you were asked about a time when you faced a difficult customer service issue but didn’t have much time to elaborate, this is your chance to share more details about how you successfully diffused the situation.

Address any concerns. If there was anything that came up during the interview that gave you pause, such as a concern about your qualifications or fit for the role, this is your opportunity to address it head-on. For example, if you’re worried that your lack of experience in a particular area might be a dealbreaker, mention how eager you are to learn new skills and how quickly you pick up new information.

Correct any interview mistakes that you made.  It’s not uncommon to make mistakes during job interviews. Whether it’s fidgeting nervously, forgetting to ask important questions, or stumbling over your words, everyone has had an “oops” moment at some point during an interview.

The key is to not let your mistakes get the best of you. Instead, use them as an opportunity to show your interviewer that you’re resilient and can think on your feet. After the interview, take some time to reflect on what went well and what could have gone better. Then, reach out to your interviewer with a handwritten thank-you note.

End on a positive note. Close by restating your interest in the role and thanking the interviewer for their time once again.

Send within 24 hours. This should be from the time of the phone, zoom, or in-person interview. 

How to send the thank you note?

Email is the most common and perfectly acceptable way to send a thank you note after an interview. You can also hand-write a note and either mail it or deliver it in person, but this is not as common. The important thing is that you send the thank you note as soon as possible after the interview, preferably within 24 hours.

When sending an email, keep it brief and to the point. Thank the interviewer for their time and mention one or two things that you enjoyed about the conversation. For example, “Thank you for taking the time to meet with me yesterday. I enjoyed learning more about your company’s plans for growth.” You can also mention anything that you forgot to say during the interview or elaborate on something that was discussed. For example, “I wanted to share a few more examples of how I have been able to increase sales at my previous jobs.” Keep the tone professional and polite.

Example of a Thank You Letter

<Date>

<Name>

<Company>

<Address 1>

<Address 2>

Dear Mr./Ms. <Last Name>

Thank you for taking the time to speak with me yesterday about the <Name of position> with <name of Company>

It was a pleasure meeting with you, and I truly enjoyed learning more about the role and the company. After our conversation, I am confident that my skills and experiences are a great match for this opportunity.

I am very enthusiastic about the possibility of joining your team and would greatly appreciate a follow-up as you move forward with the hiring process. If you need any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me. I can be reached at: <Your phone number>, or by email at: <Your email address> 

Thanks again, and I hope to hear from you soon.

Best regards,

<Your name>

Mistakes to Avoid

Grammar and sentence structure mistakes. Grammar and sentence structure mistakes can make a big difference in how a message is interpreted, so it’s important to get them right. Here are a few things to keep in mind when editing a text. Always use the correct grammar and punctuation. Check for missing words or unnecessary phrases. Check for run-on sentences or sentences that don’t flow well. Keep in mind the audience when you’re writing and make sure your text is easy to understand for your readers.

Sending to the wrong company and contact. Before sending your message, make sure that you are sending it to the right company and contact. There are a few things you can do to make sure you are sending your message to the right person. First, make sure you are sending your message from a valid email address. Second, make sure that you are including your contact’s name in the email. And third, make sure that you are sending your message to the correct email address.

Not being specific on the thank you letter after the interview. The thank you letter after an interview is a crucial opportunity to express your gratitude for the opportunity, highlight any relevant experience, and signal your interest in the position. Make sure that this is addressed to the individual that you interviewed with. If you don’t have specific ideas for what to say, you can always just thank the interviewer for their time and reiterate your interest in the position. However, if you do have specific ideas for what to say, it’s a good idea to be as detailed as possible. This will show that you took the interview process seriously and that you’re not just saying anything that comes to your mind.

Thank you note is too long.  This can be a common mistake that candidates make. By sending a too-lengthy note, you run the risk of making your interviewers feel like you’re trying to over-promote yourself or that you’re trying to impress them. Instead, keep your note short and to the point, saying something like, “It was a pleasure to meet with you today. I wanted to let you know that I enjoyed our conversation and that I would be happy to talk with you further if you’d like.”

Do not remind the hiring manager of your interview mistakes. This could make the hiring manager feel as if they need to pass on your candidacy.

Sending a thank you note is a small gesture that can make a big impression. It shows that you are polite, grateful, and interested in the position. It is one more way to stand out from the other candidates and improve your chances of getting hired.

If you would like to receive more assistance in overcoming any of your obstacles that you are facing, we can definitely help. We offer Interview Preparation Session coaching and multiple coaching sessions so you can ace your next interview.