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The Thank You Letter: Do’s and Do Not’s

The Thank You Letter: Do’s and Don’ts

After the interview, it’s always important to express appreciation of the hiring manager’s time and for the opportunity to interview – whether you have the job or not.

As The Muse points out, a handwritten thank you note is extremely important.  Even if you’ve been passed over for another more qualified candidate, a thank you can lead to many things such as a referral to another hiring manager or even consideration for the next opening at the company.

However, it’s important to understand the do’s and don’ts of the thank you letter. 

DO send a handwritten thank you

There is just something special and personal about a handwritten note.  Never forego this old, but still valuable and important custom.

Make sure that you have professional thank you cards that are blank inside, so that you may write your personal message of thanks.

DO NOT forget the thank you email

Even though you are sending a hand written thank you note, it is also a smart idea to send a quick email of thanks.  While a handwritten note is much more personal, an email has a greater sense of urgency and will reach the interviewer sooner.

When a hiring manager is under the gun to make a hiring decision, you don’t want a delay in snail mail to be the reason you were cut from the final decision.

DO make your thank you letter personal

If you are an expert job seeker, you will have taken diligent notes throughout the interview process, documenting important conversations had throughout the interview.  You will have also collected business cards from each person you interviewed with so you have their names, position title, and contact information.

Don’t believe that it is okay to send a general thank you letter.  Make sure that your thank you letter references something specifically discussed within the interview and why you are interested in working on the team.

This information is key if you want to send a memorable thank you letter.

DO NOT send the same thank you letter to everyone

Do not think for a moment that it is okay to send only the hiring manager a thank you note.  Remember that there is a reason why others were included on your interview and be sure to send each of these interviewers a thank you letter.

However, if you’re planning to take the easy way out and send the exact same thank you letter to each person you interviewed with, you aren’t doing yourself any favors.

As mentioned previously, making your thank you letter personal is key in making a good impression.  Trust me – your interviewers will be comparing notes as well as sharing with each other the communication they have received from you.

By not sending the same thank you letter to each person, you are clearly demonstrating your communication and relationship building skills, which are important in almost every job.

DO NOT forget to include your contact information

Always make sure that you have included all of your contact information in a thank you letter.  Phone numbers, emails, whatever form of communication that you can be reached at – include it at the bottom of the thank you letter.

You would be surprised at how often hiring managers misplace resumes.  While you may be memorable to a hiring manager, it is quite a depressing situation when he is unable to contact you after reading your stellar thank you letter which may have just landed you the job!

We’ve also created a couple job seeker thank you letter templates for your convenience! Check them out, here.

What are some of your personal do’s and don’ts when it comes to thank you letters?  Please share your tips in the comments below.

Image: Andy Dean Photography/BigStock.com

Julia Weeks

Julia is a skilled Recruiter with over 8 years of experience in sourcing, interviewing, and hiring within many industries globally. She works closely with hiring managers and job seekers to understand needs and desires, while offering guidance and ensuring the right fit. When not recruiting or writing, Julia enjoys spending time outside cycling, taking her dog for walks, or honing her sailing skills.

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