Do post interview thank you notes get read? Is it a complete waste of a job seeker’s time?
The answer is that a thank you note is still an essential part of the interview process. A thank you note:
- Expresses your interest in the position.
During the interview process everything from your tone to word choice should express a sincere interest in working at that organization. However, some of those signals may have been missed by the interviewer or you may have been exhausted by the time you reached the final interview segment. A thank you note is your opportunity to reaffirm your interest in the position.
- Shows you have manners. Yes, your grandmother was right about manners. They do matter. In the working world after meeting with a customer or partner, it is essential to follow up with them. By sending a thank you note after your interview, it is an indicator that you already have the skills to properly represent an organization.
- Can tip the scale in your favor. A few hours in an interview does not provide the insight that working with someone for a few months can provide. For that reason, most interviewers are not 100% certain of which candidate to hire. Often at the end of the process, it is a tossup between the top two candidates. A thank you note can be the tie breaker.
When writing a thank you note:
- Keep it brief. It essential to express your interest in the position. However, that does not mean you need to write an essay on the topic. Limit your note to a few paragraphs. Keep in mind, that interviewing candidates is typically done in addition to an interviewer’s normal work. Be considerate of their time.
- Write a note for each interviewer. It takes more time to write a note for each interviewer. However, it is worth the extra time. Keep in mind that they are likely to see each other notes, so make each note a bit different. To prepare for the note writing, at the end of each interview segment ask the interviewer for their business card (if you do not already have their contact information).
- Clarify your answers. Did you stumble on a question during the interview? A thank you note can be your opportunity to fix that blunder. Use a couple of sentences to give some additional insight into your answer.
Do you have any other tips or questions about thank you notes? Share your thoughts in the comments.
