7 Rules For Your Post Interview Thank You Letter

As a candidate, it’s essential to pull out all of the stops to enhance your chances in a job interview, especially where a vacancy is hotly contested.

Sending a post-interview thank you note is your final opportunity to remind the employer why you are the ideal candidate for the role by demonstrating where your skills and background are an ideal fit for their vacancy. If you’re guilty of sending a standard ‘thank you’ note – or not sending one at all – try the following after your next interview:

1.) Check the details

If you’ve recently attended several interviews and want to thank each hiring manager, double check the details before you press ‘send’. Each letter should include the correct company name and the name of the interviewer. We’re stating the obvious, but mistakes happen.

2.) Refer to an interview discussion

Reiterate your enthusiasm for the vacancy by referring to details of the interview. For example, if you discussed a current industry trend at length, refer to this in your note or include a link to a recent article on the topic. Not only will it demonstrate your listening skills but it will show how serious you are about both this job and the company.

3.) Emphasize your suitability for the role

Your follow-up note provides an opportunity to re-emphasize your skills and achievements relevant to the vacancy in question. It also allows you to address any concerns or answer questions raised by the hiring manager regarding your resume.

4.) Be professional

Employers seek candidates who understand business etiquette which should be reflected in your thank you note. Resist the temptation to be overly casual and avoid the use of inappropriate humor, regardless of how well you got on with the hiring manager during your interview. Remove any slang and informal expressions before sending your letter and always check punctuation and spelling.

5.) Write to everyone

If you were interviewed by a panel or met another company executive, be sure to send a separate thank you note to each individual, reiterating relevant discussions with each person you write to. For example, if you found any common ground between you and a particular individual, such as similar qualifications or attendance at the same college, refer to it in your letter.

6.) Email your letter

A personalized, succinct e-mail is now generally regarded as an acceptable form of communication for post interview thank you notes, with a few caveats. Firstly, don’t send your letter from a mobile device as it is too easy to miss grammatical errors. Likewise, don’t text your gratitude or post your thanks on a social networking site. An e-mail will also give the employer the impression that you took the time to sit at your computer, rather than send a hastily compiled message. Some candidates also choose to send a handwritten note as well as an e-mail for added effect. Ultimately, the decision is down to you.

7.) Proof-read and spellcheck

It’s easy to miss obvious mistakes when you’ve spent time crafting your letter. As well as running it through a spellchecker, ask a trusted friend or colleague to read your message before sending it.

Let’s be clear; a post-interview thank you letter does not guarantee a job offer if your skills and achievements aren’t what the employer is looking for. It will, however, keep your application in the mind of the hiring manager, especially if competition was fierce between you and another candidate. Ultimately, follow-up letters offer an additional method of marketing your accomplishments and promoting you as the most enthusiastic and suitable candidate for the position.

Don't hesitate to check in with your recruiter as well, for additional follow up tips. Don't have a recruiter to help you as you seek change in your career? Get in touch with us!