You may think sending a thank you letter after a job interview is not necessary and out-of-date? Think again.
In a recent survey more than 80% of employers questioned said a thank-you note after an interview was a very important part of the process.
Many of us find these notes difficult to write. What to say and how to say it? But writing a thank you note can often keep you in the mind of your interviewer.
Not sure whether to email or handwrite a letter? If a phone call will be seen as an interruption or if a text message is too casual and unprofessional? Below are some Cassidy guidelines for composing a post-interview thank you note.
First things first, remember to send your letter/note no later than 24 hours after your interview. The interviewer will likely still remember you and you successfully demonstrate your desire for the position being offered.
A personal thank you letter should be sent to everyone that interviewed you. One message to everyone will not be sufficient, remember to keep it personal.
When composing the letter/note remember to include the job title you were interviewed for and keep the tone professional, avoiding any use of emoticons or terms like LOL or LMAO. Refer to something said at interview, this will help the interviewer remember you and your skill-set.
Less is often more and this is true here, your thank you letter/note should be no longer than a paragraph or two. Remember to thank them for the opportunity they are giving you.
You’ve written you thank you letter but it still needs to be delivered. Should you email or should it be handwritten and posted? The answer to this depends on the position being applied for and the timing of the next steps.
If the position you are applying for is high tech then a hand written note may seem odd, but not if you have applied for a position at your local Primary School. Also if the decision to hire is to be made quickly then a posted letter may well be too slow and emailing is the best choice.
You will gain an insight during the interview. Ask yourself if they were friendly and personal or direct and to the point. This will help you decide whether to email or write by hand.
Once you have sent your follow up thank you letter, wait several days before following up again; daily checks are a sure way to annoy your interviewer. But being professional with your communication is an instant way to impress any potential employer.
