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There’s nothing like a post-interview thank you note, simple and to the point, to make a positive impression on the people who met with you to measure your fit for the job. There is no downside.
The act itself is a message. Sending thank-you notes has been a recommended best practice for many moons, but the digital age has elevated the significance of “the personal touch.” As the world has become more digital, the once-customary handwritten thank you note is an endangered species. But it still matters.
People who slow the world down long enough to write a thank you note do more than uphold a civilized tradition. They benefit their candidacies in a laundry list of ways. Here are some things to consider when you reach the thank you note stage of your job search:
Time and effort. The act of sending a thank you note separates you from people who don’t. When a recruiter or hiring manager is looking at your resume, they will remember the courteous note they received from you and that you voluntarily and independently increased your time and effort to do so. It might push your candidacy over the top.
Keep it simple. It’s a thank-you note, not the Treaty of Westphalia. You don’t have to write much (four or five lines), but what you do write should be sincere.
Keep it professional. Don’t be sincere about your latest rash or whether or not you believe ketchup goes on a hot dog (the answer is no, by the way). Every word should be relevant to your job interview (or job process – more on that below). And don’t get personal.
Send thank you notes to everybody in the job process who has helped you. You should always send thank-you notes to the recruiter and people who interview you. However, others should be on the list as well. Did somebody agree to be one of your references? Thank you note. Did somebody give you a referral that led to an interview? Thank you note. Did you have a series of interviews arranged and administered by the same person? Thank you note. Nobody will ever hold it against you that you took the time to thank them.
A thank you note is like a business card, but better. Let’s say you don’t get the job. Your thank you note continues to have value beyond one open position. When another position opens at the same company, you may come to mind and you get an “out of the blue” communication inquiring about your status. Or the recruiter may move companies and, because of your thank you note, put you on their list to update. Or whoever interviewed you notices your name at the company that did hire you and, because of your thank you note, they reach out to see if there’s any business you can do together. A thoughtful thank-you note can help you grow your professional network.
While thank you notes may seem daunting and many people overthink them, they’re actually really quick and easy to write. Every thank you note only needs to be four lines, five if you want bonus points.
Start with “Hello” and the person’s name. But nobody will hold it against you if you address your handwritten thank-you note to their name only.
Line 1: The thank you part. Always lead with “Thank you…” “Thank you for meeting with me.” “Thank you for taking the time to discuss the open position with me today.” “Thank you for giving me a behind-the-scenes look at your company today.” That kind of thing.
John/Jane,
1] Thank you for meeting with me today.
Line 2: The what you learned part. You just thanked them so your next line should explain why the brief time you spent with them was the best time ever. Flattery works.
John/Jane,
1] Thank you for meeting with me today. 2] Hearing about Big Company’s plans for the future makes me even more excited to be in the robotics field.
Note: only use, “robotics field,” if you’re in the robotics field. If you’re not, specify your field.
Bonus Points. Bonus points if you can slip in a quote from the recipient. “When you said, ‘We play ping-pong most mornings,’ I knew I had found a cultural fit.”
Line 3: The subtle reminder their job search is over part. They should hire you and you just proved it by writing a handwritten thank you note. With a pen. On paper. You own envelopes and bought stamps! “I left the interview knowing I would be a perfect fit for your company.” “I believe my credentials and experience are exactly what you’re looking for.” “I look forward to detailing the value I can bring to your company’s future during the next round of interviews.”
John/Jane,
1] Thank you for meeting with me today. 2] Hearing about Big Company’s plans for the future makes me even more excited to be in the robotics field [BONUS], or as you call it, ‘the Mars Rover business.’ 3] I believe my credentials and experience are exactly what you’re looking for.
Line 4: The thank you part again. “Thank you for your time and consideration.” Line 4 should always be, “Thank you for your time and consideration.” This is the path of least resistance. You don’t have to tie yourself up in knots when this line is tried and true.
1] Thank you for meeting with me today. 2] Hearing about Big Company’s plans for the future makes me even more excited to be in the robotics field [BONUS], or as you call it, ‘the Mars Rover business.’ 3] I believe my credentials and experience are exactly what you’re looking for. 4] Thank you for your time and consideration.
Best Regards (Kind Regards, Sincerely, etc.),
[Your autograph]
Philip Roufail contributed to this article.
Scott Singer is the President and Founder of Insider Career Strategies Resume Writing & Career Coaching, a firm dedicated to guiding job seekers and companies through the job search and hiring process. Insider Career Strategies provides resume writing, LinkedIn profile development, career coaching services, and outplacement services. You can email Scott Singer at scott.singer@insidercs.com, or via the website, www.insidercs.com.
