TIPS
FOR WRITING THANK YOU LETTERS
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!
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!
See also our sample
thank you letter. |
