How to Write Post-Interview Thank-You Notes
Category : PROspective
An important, but often forgotten, piece of job interview etiquette is sending your interviewer a thank-you note afterward. While it may seem like a simple formality, sending a thank-you email can set you apart in the application process and reinforce your interest in the position. Even if you find you are no longer interested in the position after interviewing, it is still important to send a thank you to show your appreciation for their time and leave them with a good impression. After all, you never know if, in the future, you might be interested in another position with the organization, or if they may pass your name on to other professional contacts in their network.
As first years are getting ready to apply for APEs and many second years are in the midst of the post-grad job search, we put together some tips for how to write the perfect post-interview thank you email.
1. Don’t Wait!
It is best to send the note as soon as possible, but be sure to send it no more than 24 – 48 hours after your interview so that your conversation is still fresh in their mind. If you do not have your interviewer’s specific contact information, you can reach out to the hiring coordinator, or the individual that set up the meeting, to ask for their contact information so that you can send along your thanks.
2. Add a Personal Touch
Make sure to include one or two details that stood out to you during your conversation, whether it was a something new you learned about the organization, an opportunity within the position that excited you, or a recent project they mentioned that you found interesting. Adding something personal can both demonstrate your enthusiasm about the position and make your application memorable during the hiring process.
3. Keep It Short & to the Point
A thank you note does not need to be much longer than a few sentences, it just has to cover three key components. You should thank the interviewer for their time, mention something that was discussed in the conversation, and reaffirm your interest in the position. To make sure that your note is professional and impactful, review it a few times for grammar and spelling issues.
If you are still stuck on what to write, there are many examples and templates available online that can provide useful guidance for getting started. Once you figure out your preferred style for these types of notes, it can even be helpful to create your own template so that after every interview you can fill in the specific details based on that conversation and send off the email quickly and easily. The interview process can be stressful in many ways, but with these tips and a little practice you can check the post-interview thank you note off of your list of things to worry about.
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