How to Write a Thank You Email
After an Interview
Posted: 10/07/2014 Updated: 10/07/2014 Stacia Pierce
Huffington Post
Saying "thank you" is sadly becoming a lost
art. The days of handwritten cards or notes of appreciation sent after
receiving a gift are dwindling. What about a thank you note after a job
interview? This is often overlooked or entirely forgotten. However, a thank you
email following an interview could be just the thing to cause an employer to
take a closer and more serious look at you as a hiring candidate.
While many remark these days about the job market being
"tough," the truth is that most employers are in desperate need of
qualified candidates that are skilled and willing to work hard. If you are such
a candidate, then how do you make yourself stand out from the rest? I have an
easy answer for you: by sending a thank you email after your interview.
You might be surprised how few people actually do this.
They are either a) so confident in how the interview went that they don't see
it as necessary, b) so busy preparing for the interview that they forget to
prepare anything to send afterward, or c) simply don't think it's important.
Here's a wake-up call for you: It is that important! A
follow-up thank you could literally mean the difference in you getting a job
offer or not. Imagine for a moment that you are on the other side: You are a
hiring manager who has just conducted a round of interviews. You have narrowed
it down to your final two candidates. You enjoyed your meetings with each of
them, and on paper, their qualifications are both a match for what you are
looking for. You are feeling stuck on which one to go with.
Then, you receive an email from one of the candidates
thanking you for your time in the interview, and restating their interest in
the position and why they believe they are the best fit. At this point, like
most hiring managers, receiving an email like this will seal the deal for you.
It gives the one candidate just enough of an edge to help you finalize your decision
and feel confident about your choice.
You can be that one candidate -- the last one standing,
with a job offer in hand. And that's just one example of the benefit of sending
a thank you. It is also a benefit when an employer isn't sure about you. They
might be hesitant after interviewing you for one reason or another. Or, they
simply could be very busy or not in a rush to move forward in filling the
position. Receiving a thank you email from you could be just the thing to get
them off the fence.
Here's how to craft the perfect letter:
1.
As you are
preparing for your interview, identify the key points that make you the best
candidate for the position. What do you bring to the table, and why should they
hire you? Preparing these key points is important because not only will you
talk about them in your interview, but you will include them in your thank you
email.
2.
Write your
first draft before the interview. Have it ready to go so that you don't have to
spend time after the interview thinking of what to write.
3.
Before leaving
the interview, ask the hiring manager for their business card, so that you will
have their email address and direct contact information.
4.
Within no more
than 24 hours of the interview, write your final draft and send the email.
5.
Every thank you
email should include the following:
·
An opening that
says "thank you" and expresses gratitude for the hiring manager's
time. This shows that you appreciate and value their time and insight, as well
as respect their authority.
·
A few remarks
stating your interest and enthusiasm for the position. Once the interview is
over, you should know even more about the position and be able to sincerely
express your excitement about the opportunity.
·
A few reasons
or key points why -- based on the interview discussion -- you are the best fit.
This is so important. Don't just write something generic. Instead, tailor your
points to the conversation you had with the hiring manager. Hopefully in the
interview, you asked them what they are looking for in the perfect candidate,
or what qualities they believe are necessary to excel in the position (hint,
hint). You can now take the information they gave you in their response, and
point out those qualities you have that they specifically said they are looking
for. To take it a step further, you can give examples of how you have
demonstrated these key skills in a previous position.
·
If there are
any key accomplishments that you didn't get an opportunity to highlight during
the interview, then the thank you email is your final opportunity to do so.
It's OK to brag about yourself!
·
Close the
letter by thanking them again and letting them know that you look forward to
hearing from them.
In the past, it was really only acceptable to
send a hand-written thank you letter following an interview. However, it is now
perfectly fine to send an email. In fact, email is preferred because it's
faster and you can ensure it goes directly to the right person.
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In
addition to this blog, I have authored the premiere book on
Netiquette, "Netiquette IQ - A Comprehensive Guide to Improve, Enhance
and Add Power to Your Email". You can view my profile, reviews of the
book and content excerpts at:
www.amazon.com/author/paulbabicki
If you would like to listen to experts in all aspects of Netiquette and communication, try my radio show on BlogtalkRadio and an online newsletter via paper.li.I have established Netiquette discussion groups with Linkedin and Yahoo. I am also a
member of the International Business Etiquette and Protocol Group and
Minding Manners among others. I regularly consult for the Gerson Lehrman
Group, a worldwide network of subject matter experts and I have been
contributing to the blogs Everything Email and emailmonday . My work has appeared in numerous publications and I have presented to groups such as The Breakfast Club of NJ Rider University and PSG of Mercer County New Jersey.
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