Reasons for Writing out an Interview Thank You Letter

Millions of applicants vie for the same position in organizations.  Interviewers are hard-pressed to keep tabs on the numbers and may short-list a few, so that they could go over the resumes and refer the salient comments they may have jotted down, against each one’s application.  Your letter will be a positive reminder of the points discussed during the meeting.  You may have made an impression on the interviewer.  You may have shared a common interest.  Perhaps you have been shortlisted to being one of the final three contestants.  All things being equal, this letter may be the one thing that will tip the scales in your favor.

Importance of Writing an Interview Thank You Note

Surveys indicate that most candidates do not deem it necessary to send out those notes.  Only 10% of the total job applicants bother to send out thank you letters after an interview. However, it has also been proved that most managers are impressed by thank you letters and more importantly, it may help to jog their memory by something you wrote that may remind them, why you were singled out from the rest.

Mailing That Important Thank You Letter

Should the letter be hand-written, typed or emailed?  These are frequently asked questions that should be reviewed depending on the prevalent circumstances. If you are aware of the expected time-frame of the selection process, send out that letter accordingly.

If you are keen on getting that job, then it is best to send out that letter as soon as you return from the interview so that it reaches the interviewer within two days.  The meeting will still be fresh in his mind and it may impress him enough to give your resume another once-over.  An email may be a short note but it serves the purpose if there is insufficient time for the letter to reach the organization before selection.

 A formal thank you letter sent by post is generally the best form of acknowledgement though circumstances may vary. Make the interview thank you letter brief and to the point. 

Wait for a couple of days after you send out that interview thank you letter.  You can either call the organization to find out if the post has been filled or call the interviewer, if he has given you a number.  You can leave a voice mail if the call is not picked up and leave your name, message and telephone number. You may just  get that important call or note, to say that you have been selected.

Addressing The Interview Thank You Letter

You may have been interviewed by just one person or a panel of interviewers. There may be a staff member who coordinated the recruitment handling. Did they give your their visiting card or did you have to ask for them?  Use the addresses available and send each of them a short email.  Your interview thank you letter should not be stereo-type.  If you remember certain information given you by the interviewer, use that to tell them that it made a great impression on you.  This could jog their memory and make them want to look at your resume again.

Contents of the Interview Thank You Letter

Remember that the letter serves as a follow-up of the interview so keep it brief and to the point.  Your letter should be formal and care should be taken to spell the name of the interviewer right.  Proof-read the letter several times over before mailing it and make sure there are no grammar or spelling mistakes.  You may have impressed them with the way you behaved and the way you answered their questions during the interview.  Do not spoil it now by writing a letter riddled with mistakes or writing one that is so lengthy that they lose interest in even going through the contents.

Formatting the Interview Thank You Letter

Email is an accepted norm in today’s business world.  Sending a letter by snail mail may defeat the purpose as it could reach too late.  Try sending the letter within the first 24 hours of the time of the interview.  Your letter should be organized well. Check out several sample letters that you can download for free online and try to write on similar lines.  Thank the interviewer for the time spent on you during the interview and state why you think you would be ideally suited for the job.  If you have forgotten to mention something during the interview, do it now, but make sure it is relevant and not unnecessary information being provided.

Is There Really a Need to Send an Interview Thank You Letter?

While some feel it is not necessary to send an interview thank you letter, the truth is it can do you no harm. Moreover, this is a great way of letting the concerned people know that you are interested in the job.  The letter should be written as meticulously as the personal resume that was submitted. This may be the proverbial nail that clinched the job offer.

Show Your Best Qualities

The interview thank you letter should always be sent after an interview. However, only about ten percent of job seekers actually do so, according to employers. This letter is not only polite, but it also gives you a chance to state your best qualities one more time. If you have the skills the interviewer is looking for, this letter is a great way to remind him or her of those skills. Be sure to include the experience and qualifications that are needed for job opening.

Do you have training in a specific type of computer software or equipment that is a requirement for the job? This is what you need to highlight in your interview thank you letter. You don’t want to make this a long letter, but three or four paragraphs are quite acceptable.

Don’t Forget to Say Thank You

Of course, you must say thank you for the interview in this letter. It should be sincere, but not overdone. This should be included in the first couple of lines in your interview thank you letter. Once you have that out of the way, then you should mention one or two things that you learned about the company during the interview that you feel are positive. It will also help the interviewer remember your interview.

Move onto the part about your skills and qualification. Show the interviewer why you feel you are a great choice for the job. You are not putting everything that is in your resume in this letter, though. Keep it to the point. You should also mention anything that you feel is important that you forgot to say in the interview. It can be quite a stressful experience, and remembering everything is sometimes difficult. The interview thank you letter gives you a chance to rectify this situation.

Finishing the Letter

The last paragraph should include another mention of your thanks and that you hope to hear from the company soon about the job. Don’t sound needy, but you do want to let the company know that you are still interested in the position. Include your phone number and email address, so it’s easy for the interviewer to get in touch with you.

In Closing

Writing an interview thank you letter will not guarantee that you get the job offer. However, it certainly will not harm your chances. Send this letter within 24 hours of your interview, but don’t forget to proofread it. You don’t want errors in spelling and grammar overshadowing the intent of your letter. Best of luck in your pursuit of the perfect job!

Why It Is So Important

An interview thank you letter is sent to a potential employer after you have completed an interview. You want to let the interviewer know that you appreciate the time they took to speak with you. However, this letter is much more than that. It’s also a chance for you to give yourself one last push for the job. Because the job market is so tight right now, you must do everything you can to make sure you stand out from the other applicants. Employers say that only ten percent of all applicants take the time to write this letter. However, those that do, make a good impression on the interviewer.

This is not just an interview thank you letter. You also get to remind the interviewer of your best qualities and skills. You will also have a chance to say anything that you might have forgotten in the interview that will help the interviewer see that you are the best choice for the job. Focus on how your skills will perfectly suit the company’s needs. Perhaps you have the skills necessary to operate a specific computer program or piece of machinery. Maybe you have extensive experience as a human resources manager and the company is adding this department.

You should mention one or two things that were specifically talked about in the interview. This will help the interviewer remember you specifically. In addition, an interview thank you letter, you also want to include a couple of things that you really liked about the company, too. This will show that you have a real interest in the company.

What Not to Say in Your Interview Thank You Letter

There are a few things that you want avoid saying in an interview thank you letter. Don’t bring up anything negative that might have happened in the interview, such as if you were late. Keep the tone of the letter positive. Also, don’t seem too needy in your letter. The employer is certainly aware of badly that you need the job, as do all the other they interviewed. Finally, don’t gush about the company or their products. This will only seem phony and may be off-putting to the interviewer.

In Closing

An interview thank you letter is an important part of the job hunting process. You can make sure that the interview gets a good picture of your skills and abilities, as well as your continued interest in the open position. Make sure that you proofread the letter carefully, as any errors will not reflect favorably on you. Best wishes for success.

The main point of writing an interview thank you letter is to help you stand out and showcase your best qualities. Most of the other people that interviewed for the job won’t take the time to write this important letter, so make sure you use that your best interests. There are some tips that can help you write this letter so you’ll have the best chance of getting the job.

Write to Each Person You Met With

You should write an interview thank you letter to each person that you met with. Don’t send the same letter because you never who will see it. It would appear very lazy if your interviewers discovered that they all received the same letter. Before leaving an interview, ask for business cards from the interviewers so you can be sure you have the right titles and spellings of their names. It will also give you the correct mailing address.

Email or Snail Mail?

If you’ve received emails from the company about the interview and job opening, then it is fully acceptable to email your thank you letter. You should make sure there are no attachments or strange backgrounds or photos on your email. Many companies block these types of emails and your interview thank you letter might not get to the intended recipient. No matter which way you send the letter, do so within a day of the interview.

Keep It Short and to the Point

Your interview thank you letter should never be more than one page. Keep it short and to the point, but be sure to include your thanks for the interview. You also want to include a couple of positive statements about the company. Your skills and experience that relate directly to the job opening should be included, as well. Use your strongest selling points and mention anything you forgot to say in the interview.

Close the Letter Properly

When closing your interview thank you letter, indicate that you are very interested in the position and that you hope to hear from the company soon. Include your phone number and email, so that it’s easy for the interviewer to contact you. You should make it clear that you are available for a second interview, if needed.

In Closing

An interview thank you letter gives you the chance to present the interviewer with your strongest selling points. It also is a chance for you to mention the things that you might have forgotten during the interview. Take the time to create a letter that is genuine and professional. It may just be what tips the scales in your favor.

There are three main parts to an interview thank you letter.

First Part:

The first part is the actual “thank you” part. You don’t want to seem “gushing,” but you do want to show your thanks for getting a chance to meet with the company’s representative. Mention one or two positive things that you learned about the company during your interview. If you cannot remember anything off hand, take a moment to find something online.

Second Part:

The second part of an interview thank you is your resume highlights. You don’t want to make this a long paragraph, but it should contain your best qualities. These should be parts of your skills and experience that will fulfill a need for the company. Make these few sentences show that you are the best choice for the open position. This will help you stand out in the mind of the interviewer. You should also mention something that was talked about during your interview.

Third Part:

The last part of the interview thank you is important, too. You want to let the interviewer know that you are still quite interested in the position and that you look forward to hearing from the company about their decision. Let them know that you are able to provide any documentation that they may need or any other tasks they deem necessary.

One point to note is that you don’t want to appear too desperate. Every company today is aware of how many people are in need of employment. Making a case for yourself by listing all your bills and other obligations is not suggested.

When to Send Your Letter

You should send an interview thank you within 24 hours of your interview. It’s easiest to send it through email, but you should only use email if you have received email correspondence from the company before the interview. Remember, that many companies are filling their job openings quickly, so don’t forget to get this one in the hands of your interviewer as soon as possible.

A Few Final Thoughts

An interview thank you note is a very important part of the interview process. While many applicants don’t take the time to send it, employers do notice and it does make a difference. In some cases, it could be what tips the scales in your favor in a close decision. Make sure you take the time to proofread it carefully. An error is not the impression you want to leave the interviewer with.

Highlight Your Best Qualities

You have to look the entire job hunting process as one big interview. From the time you turn in your resume until you send off your interview thank you letter, you’re creating an image for yourself. If done properly, this image will be one that will be hard to ignore. It will highlight your best qualities, such as your experience and skills. Perhaps you are experienced in computer programming, human resource development, or mechanics. Choose your skills that will specifically apply to the job opening.

Add a Good Thing about the Company

You should also add one or two things that you like about the company and why you want to work for them. Not only does this show a bit of initiative on your part in terms of research, everyone likes to hear something positive about where they work. Don’t make it too “schmoozy,” but do make it sincere. This is an important part of your interview thank you letter.

Express Your Continued Interest

One of the problems that all employers face is holding interviewers with people who aren’t really sure if they want the job. Dozens of interviews can be held and when the decision is finally narrowed down, it’s a great deal of relief. However, if that person has now decided that they do not want or cannot accept the position, it can mess things up. Make sure that you include a line or two about how you are still quite interested in the position. At the same time, you do not want to appear needy, though. Keep this interview thank you letter professional in both tone and appearance.

Proofreading Is a Must

If you have ever received a letter with a spelling or grammar error, you know how glaring those errors can be. Always check and double check the interview thank you letter before you send it. If not, you could be giving the interviewer a rather bad final impression of you. It is important to make sure that someone else looks over your letter to catch any errors.

In Closing

Writing an effective interview thank you letter is an important step towards ensuring that the last impression the interviewer has of you is positive. The above information will help you write an effective letter that will increase your chances of getting the job. While it’s usually not a requisite for getting hired, it can make the difference when it comes to a close decision.

Why an Interview Thank You Letter is So Important

One of the reasons why this letter is so important is simply because it is just polite and shows courtesy! You need to thank the person who took the time to interview you and give you a chance to show why you are a great choice for position. However, it is also your last chance to remind the interviewer of your qualifications, skills and experience. Today’s economy has created a flood of applicants for just about every opening available. You must ensure that you stand out for all the right reasons. An interview thank you letter is one way to do so.

What to Include in the Letter

You should include your thanks for the interview. This can be done in the first line of the interview thank you letter. The next couple of sentences should include a thought or two about something you liked about the company. This might be about something you learned during the interview. The next paragraph should include all the information that sets you apart from other applicants, such as any specialized training, education, or licenses. You don’t want to include everything that’s in your resume, but only the best parts that will show that you are the right choice.

You should also mention one or two things that were talked about during your interview. Some companies can interview dozens of people for one position. When you talk about something specific from your interview, it will help the interviewer remember you specifically. Some of the best interview thank you letters are those which include information that is only specific to you.

How to Close the Letter

An interview thank you letter should end with your assurances to the interviewer that you are still interested in the job. Many people go through the interview, only to find out that they really don’t want the job. This is a waste of time for the interviewer. It’s always best that you let the interviewer know that you want this job and that you are qualified for the job, as well.

Extra Tips

You should proofread your letter carefully. Errors in spelling, grammar, and punctuation reflect very badly. If possible, you should have a friend look over it too, as two pairs of eyes are always better than one. Also, it is important that the letter is sent to the right person. If you have received email regarding the interview, it is acceptable to send your interview thank you letter by email. Finally, don’t wait to send it. Most companies are making very quick decisions when filling their open positions.

What to Say:

Sometimes, the most difficult part of writing an interview thank you letter is simply getting started. This does not have to be a long letter; in fact, it only needs to be about three paragraphs. There are a few things that should be included, though. First, you do need to thank the interviewer for their time. Secondly, you should mention one or two things that you liked about the company. Perhaps these are based on information that you found out during the interview. You should also mention at least one thing that was talked about during the interview.

Next, you should reiterate your skills, experience and qualifications. Keep this paragraph short but make sure you include the most important information. Your interview thank you letter will remind the interviewer of your meeting, but also serve as a reminder for the information on your resume. Highlight your best qualities here. If you do not have a lot of experience, then focus on your current skills, a willingness to learn or your education.

You should close this letter with a couple of sentences that show you are still very interested in the position. You want the interviewer to know that you really want to work for his or her company, but you shouldn’t make this portion seem like you begging. Companies are very aware of how difficult the job market is today. They know that everyone who applies is really hoping to get that job offer. Your interview thank you letter does need to sound professional, after all.

How and When to Send This Letter

If you have received emails in reference to your interview, then it is acceptable to send an interview thank you letter by email. However, you must ensure that the email address, the title and the name of the individual are all correct. If you are not sure of the spelling of the interviewer’s name, then check the company website or call the company directly. If there has been no communication by email, you should send this letter by regular mail. Whenever possible, you should send the letter by email or post within 24 hours of the interview.

Final Thoughts

An interview thank you letter is an important step in the job hunting process. While it’s only polite, it also gives you a chance to “shine” once more to the interviewer. Keep the letter professional and don’t forget to actually thank him or her for their time.

Where to Find the Right Information

You may wonder where you need to send your job interview thank you letter. If you didn’t receive a business card from your interviewer, then you may have to do a bit of research as to where you need to send this letter. Many times, employers hold interviews at locations other than where their office is located, too. If you aren’t sure where to mail the letter, then start your search on the company website. You may be able to locate a directory listing for the interviewer. If not, you can call the company directly and ask for the right address and department. If you are not sure how to spell the interviewer’s name, verify that as well. It’s not a good career move to misspell someone’s name!

You should avoid mailing a job interview thank you letter to the company without at least putting it in care of the interviewer. Also, avoid sending it to the human resources department. Chances are the interviewer will never see the letter. If you have communicated with the interviewer by email, you may send a thank you letter by email, too. Once again, it’s important to make sure you have the correct email address, title and spelling of their name.

What to Say in the Thank You Letter

You should thank the interviewer for the time they took to speak with you. Another good idea is to include a couple of positive statements about the company. Mention one or two things that you can specifically remember talking about in the interview. Sometimes, there may be a dozen interviews or more a day. The more you can make your interview stand out, the better. In the job interview thank you letter, you also want to highlight your best qualities, as well as a reminder of your qualifications and experience. This should be a short letter, however. There is no need to include everything from your resume.

In the final paragraph, you should reiterate your continued interest in the open position and that you look forward to hearing from the company regarding an offer of employment. The one thing that you don’t want to do is appear desperate or mushy. Every company knows how badly people need to find employment. Your job interview thank you letter needs to be positive in every way.  This will create a lasting impression that could lead to your next career!