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Tips For Writing Thank You
Letters
By St.
Rose College
It is
proper business etiquette to send thank you letters, but many people overlook
this matter of courtesy. A thank you letter can make you stand out from the
other candidates competing for jobs, and in this tight job market, it is wise to
consider every tool that will give you an advantage.
To be effective, a thank you note should be sent before the hiring decision
has been made, so it is best to mail it as soon as possible after the interview.
When you send a thank you letter, you give the interviewer a chance to remember
you (imagine having interviewed 10-15 candidates for a position, and then trying
to distinguish each one after the interviews and trying to remember the
specifics about each person). It is your opportunity to mention any important
information you forgot to discuss during the interview.
A thank you letter allows you to explain, restate, or clear up any potential
misunderstandings. In addition, you can redirect your marketing campaign by
focusing on something that you learned during the interview and re-emphasizing
your strengths, accomplishments and skills. Sending a thank you letter shows the
interviewer that you are a professional who is concerned about details. In the
end, the thank you letter is your last chance to leave a good impression!
There are several situations that require a thank you letter:
- After an employment interview
- When someone provides you with job search assistance such as referring you
to an employer, providing a network contact, or speaking on your behalf to a
prospective employer
- After an informational interview, company visit, or other career exploration
activity
Try to follow these hints when writing thank you letters:
- Keep your letters short and simple - usually one page is enough.
- Help the interviewer remember you by referring to specific points discussed
in your interview: show that you were listening and mention something that will
refresh the interviewer's memory of you
- Be sure your letters are professional, for example: typed, no errors, on
quality paper, etc.
- Send your letter within one day - do not put it off!
- Emphasize your qualifications, especially those that are most relevant to
the position
- Provide any information that was overlooked during the interview or that
which was specifically requested by the interviewer
- Express your continued interest and enthusiasm for the position
- Remember, very few people bother to send thank you letters - this can be
your edge!
Generally, your thank you letters should include the
following information:
First paragraph:
- Thank the interviewer for taking the time to meet with you (mention the
date). Remind him/her of the position for which you interviewed.
Second paragraph:
- Restate your interest in the position and the company/school/organization.
Mention something you learned from the interview or comment on something of
importance that you discussed. Again, emphasize your strengths, experiences,
skills, accomplishments and slant them towards the points that the interviewer
considered the most important for the position.
Third
paragraph:
- Once again, thank the interviewer for his/her time and consideration. If
appropriate, close with a suggestion for further action (if a second interview
is a possibility), or mention that you will follow up with a phone call in a few
days. Provide your phone number and the hours you can best be reached.
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