After an interview you’ll likely be met with a few thoughts, one of relief that the stress of the interview is behind you, and another of replaying the conversation in your head regarding how well you answered the questions. One step though you would be remiss in passing up is the opportunity to send the interviewer a “thank you” letter. This email or handwritten note is a small gesture that goes a long way and should be seen as a last chance to impress your interviewer. Here are a few essential things to include in your post-interview letter, placing you ahead of the game and above the other applicants.
Start with Personalization
To avoid appearing like you reused a previous “thank you” post-interview letter, be sure to personalize the message with the interviewer’s name and the position you interviewed for. Additionally, include an aspect or job duty specific to the role that interested you and was discussed during your meeting. By writing about the details, big or small, this shows the interviewer that you were paying attention and are genuinely interested in the position.
The “Thank You”
Ultimately, the main point of this letter is to thank your interviewer for taking the time to meet with you and discuss the potential role. When nerves begin to kick in, it is common to unintentionally skip over the thank you’s in person, as you are eager to jump into the interview questions. Take this time to properly recognize the time spent during your interview, acknowledging this person took valuable time out of their day to meet with you.
A Good Fit
While most of your interview was likely spent discussing the responsibilities of the role and how your skills and experience would be a great match, be sure to reiterate this in your letter. Realistically, the hiring manager is meeting with additional candidates for this position, so it is important to reiterate your assets and how they would benefit the company.
Next Steps
Ending with an action item is an important part of completing your note. By inquiring about the next steps, you are putting the ball in their court. In an article on Indeed, they write, “To close the thank-you note, encourage the hiring manager to take the next step in the hiring process. Reference what you learned during the interview to complete this section since you may need to provide references or complete a second interview to get the job.” If they do not respond, this gives you an appropriate reason to follow up for more information. Remember to always keep the door open for more conversation and future networking opportunities.