Tips for Writing a Post-Job Interview Thank-You Note

Tips for Writing a Post-Job Interview Thank-You Note Tips for Writing a Post-Job Interview Thank-You Note Many aspects of the job search process have changed over the years- from applying to jobs online, to the more recent adaptation of a video resume.  However, one thing has remained unchanged, and that is the importance of sending a post-job interview thank-you note. Some professionals may deem the practice outdated, but most employers still  expect to receive one- and they usually appreciate and take note of the  gesture. The act of writing a thank-you note is fairly simple, takes little time, and can make a huge impact on your overall job interview. So theres really no reason  not to do it! A thank-you note can help you stand out from the competition and show that youre willing to go above and beyond what is required of you in an interview. While the practice is simple, there are a few key points to take into consideration before writing a thank-you note  after an interview. Here are six  tips for writing a post-job interview thank-you note: 1. Remember that timing is everything. Be sure to send out your letter the same or the next day. Most experts agree the thank-you email  should be sent within 24  hours. You want to stand out amongst other candidates, so the sooner you send it, the greater chance you have at making a lasting impression.   2. Keep it short and sweet. Hiring managers are typically quite busy, so keep your letter concise and to the point. A great letter includes elements such as your enthusiasm for the position, a reminder of why youd be perfect for the job, something specific about the role or the company culture that you connected with and, of course, a thank-you for their time. 3. Make it professional. Youve made it this fardont throw it all away now by making an inappropriate joke or asking a rude question! Remain professional, even if you feel like the interview conversation was fairly informal at some points.  This person isnt your new BFF- theyre your potential employer.   4. Mention a highlight from the conversation. Again, you want to keep this short and mostly focused  on how grateful you are for their time and consideration. But to really stand out and remind the hiring manager of how wonderful the interview was (at least from your point of view!), and remind them of who you are (maybe the interviewed a dozen people that day!), briefly mention a highlight from the conversation  or something you know they really enjoyed hearing or talking about. For instance, if their eyes lit up and their ears perked when you talked about your great communication skills, touch on that again in your thank-you note. If you bonded over having graduated from  the same college,  a simple P.S. Go Wildcats! might put a smile on their face. 5. Properly address the recipient. For consistency, take note of what you referred to the hiring manager as during the interview and try and use that same label for your thank-you note. If you’re unclear on how to address the hiring manager, it’s best to be safe and stick with Ms., Mrs., or Mr. However, if they explicitly asked you to refer to them  by their first name during the interview, its okay to use that in the letter. 6. Send an individual note to each  person you met with. Whatever you do, dont send one generic note to everyone you spoke with. Rachel Burack, a Café Coach with Capital One, suggests writing a separate, slightly customized note to each person who played an important role in your interview process, even those who interviewed you over the phone. Its fine to use a similar template- but customize at least part of each note, and be sure to triple-check the name at the top! Copying and pasting can be a dangerous game.