10 Interview Thank You Note Tips that May Land You the Job

Interview thank you noteYou did it! You nailed your latest job interview and you are confident that the recruiter will be extending a job offer. You leave the company on an emotional high with a smile on your face. You think to yourself, “I have this job in the bag.” It is a great feeling to know that you may have found the perfect position. But, regardless of how great of a match you are for the opportunity, you can still lose to the competition if you don’t send a thank you note to your interviewer.

 

According to a Career Builder survey and infographic, 22% of employers are less likely to hire a candidate if they do not send a thank you note. Furthermore, 86% of recruiters believe that not sending a thank you note shows a lack of good follow-through skills. So, sending a well-composed thank you note may be what you need to convince the interviewer you are the perfect hire. Here are 10 tips for writing a great thank you note.

 

Tip #1: Mail or Email? Send Both.

To make sure you cover all bases, send both an emailed and a handwritten thank you note, especially if you don’t know your interviewer’s preference. If you send both, the recruiter will receive your emailed note shortly after the interview, and you will have the personal touch of a handwritten note that will arrive a few days later, keeping you top-of-mind.

 

Tip #2: Send the Right Kind of Card

Make sure your handwritten note is composed on a fold-over, professional note card. Do not use cards with informal art designs on the cover, such as animals or flowers, or one-piece, heavy stock cards that are traditionally used for short notes and invitations.

 

Tip #3: Make it Personal

The worse kind of thank you note is one that is canned where the reader knows you send the same note to everyone. To make it more meaningful, mention a topic that was discussed in the interview. For instance, you may write, “It was great speaking to you today. I really enjoyed hearing about…”

 

Tip #4: Show Your Value

Provide additional value to the note by giving more detail as to why you should be hired, citing specific examples of how your past performance will make you a great fit for the company.

 

Tip #5: Send a Note to Everyone Who Interviewed You

If you had more than one interviewer, send a note to each individual. However, don’t send the same note to every person. For instance, if you were interviewed by the department manager and the HR manager, you can focus the note to the department manager on why you would be a great fit for his/her team. In contrast, the note to the HR manager may center on why you would be the right match for the company.

 

Tip #6: Include Relevant Content

When sending a thank you note via email, you can provide links to articles, videos or your own published content that complement the topics discussed in the interview. Doing so will show that you are someone who is taking the initiative and will impress the manager, especially since few candidates will take this step.

 

Tip #7: Fix any Interview Mistakes

Re-evaluate the interview while it is fresh in your mind. Ask yourself, “Is there any question where I could have given a better answer?” If so, the thank you note is a great place to clarify or re-work any of your subpar answers.

 

Tip #8: Did You Leave Anything Out?

If you missed mentioning a relevant point about your background that is pertinent to the position, you can discuss it in the thank you letter. Tie the point into tip #4, “Show Your Value,” as an additional reminder that you are the best candidate.

 

Tip #9: Send One Even if You Didn’t Get the Job

If the recruiter informs you that you are not being considered for the next step, still send a note. The follow-up note is a great way to ask if there are any other available positions that may match your experience. If you continue to sell your strengths, you will keep the door open to other possibilities.

 

Tip #10: Be Timely

A quick turnaround time will show the interviewer that you are not a procrastinator. Typically, emailed thank you notes should be sent within a few hours of the interview and mailed notes should be sent within a day.

 

In Conclusion…

Neglecting to send a post-interview thank you note is akin to serving a cake without the frosting. No matter how good the cake tastes, it just isn’t as appealing without the icing on top. To differentiate you from other candidates, make sending a well-composed thank you note a standard part of the interview process.

 

Feel free to share any of your own thank you note tips in the comments section.

 

If you’re ready to find an exciting new position in the Cleveland area, let the experienced team at Area Temps help fast track your job search. Contact our expert Cleveland Ohio recruiters today.

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