Writing a thank-you note after an interview is a way for you to stand out to a potential employer. You can express your interest in the role while also reiterating why your experience makes you the best candidate for the job. In the current job market, a thank-you email is the fastest option to get your thank-you note in front of the hiring manager. Here are 5 tips to help you create a thank-you email that will showcase your professionalism and help your chances of securing the job opportunity.
1. Timing is important
You want to send your thank-you email while your interview is still fresh in the hiring manager‘s mind. You should be sure to send your thank-you email within 24 hours of your interview. This will show you are serious about your job search and that you are a prompt and timely individual.
2. Address your thank-you note to each individual you interviewed with
It is important to address each interviewer you met with. If you met with an interview panel and had several managers meet you at the same time, it is okay to address them all in the same email. If you met with multiple people individually, be sure to email a separate email to each interviewer and correlate each email directly to the interview you had with that individual.
3. Length of the thank-you email
Hiring managers are busy and may not take the time to read your thank-you note if it is too long. However, you need to represent yourself professionally, so it needs to be enough information to thank your interviewer, reconfirm your interest level and showcase why you are the best candidate for the job. You should be able to do this is 2-3 paragraphs consisting of 3-4 sentences each. The clearer and more concise you are in your letter, the better chance you have of the manager reading it.
4. Personalize your email
Use a specific discussion you had in your interview to point out what transferrable experience/skillset you have that would make you the best candidate for the job. When you reference a specific dialog you had with the hiring manager, it will help them remember the interview and show that you were actively engaged and listening to what they had to say. This is your chance to showcase yourself and reiterate why you are the best candidate for the role.
5. Sign your letter with a call to action
In your closing make sure you express your interest level in the position and that you are looking forward to the next steps that you discussed during the interview. Close the letter with a professional sign-off including your full name and contact information.
Sending a follow-up thank-you letter/email after an interview can make you stand out amongst other candidates who do not take this final step. It is another opportunity to recap the value you would add to the company if offered the role. These 5 tips will help you create a professional thank-you which could make all the difference in getting the job.