Hopefully, you’re reading this because you just left an interview, you crushed the interview, and now you just want to stand out as a favorable applicant. Thus, you are looking to send a thank you note. No, Thank You Notes are not a dead art. Sending one is a really great smart choice.  In my years as a recruiter and an HR professional, I can say that not every candidate puts out a thank you note or letter after the interview. 

What You Need To Do Immediately After Your Interview

Every time I receive a thank you note, I genuinely appreciated it. I thought that it:

  • left a very favorable impression
  • shows professionalism and engagement
  • builds connection and rapport

You can continue reading along or watch the video below instead.

How to Write a Post Interview Thank You Note

 

Exploring thank you notes and providing an inside case study of why they are impactful.

During my last year as a recruiter, I interviewed hundreds of candidates. While I remember certain names and faces and I can visualize company names and schools on resumes, only a few candidates truly stand out.

There was one candidate named Kyle who really left a positive impression across the entire interview panel. On our rating scale of 5, he received 5’s across the board – the highest affirmation that he was a rockstar. Not only was he engaged, poised, and prepared, he left a lasting impression even after the interviews.

RELATED: How Would You Answer These Top 10 Most Difficult Job Interview Questions?

As the interview panel was stepping into the meeting to discuss which team he should join, every interviewer came walking into the conference room with the same sized envelope. It turns out, everyone was impressed he had sent a thank you card in the mail which had just arrived earlier that morning. Each card had a unique line that made us reflect back on our individual conversations with him.

So what made Kyle’s action so special? While Kyle wasn’t the first to send a thank you card, he was definitely one of the few (out of hundreds) of candidates. The handwritten thank you note is often much more memorable than the emailed one. While email is acceptable in this digital age, the effort behind a mailed thank you card goes the extra mile. If you think about it, emails get buried in our inbox of infinite megabytes. How many times do you see a desk decorated with a thank you card?

 

How do you make sending ‘Thank You’ cards a breeze?

Thank You cards are available in packs at places like Target, Amazon, and TJ Maxx. I’ve seen great deals for 40-packs for as low as $9.99. That’s less than a quarter for a card! A big ROI if you ask me.

40 Floral Thank You Notes – Watercolor Flower Cards with Envelopes for $9.99 from Amazon

Modern Chic Thank You Cards – 36 Note Cards 6 Designs Blank Inside with Envelopes for $15.99 from Amazon

Thank You Cards Box Set Assortment – 48 Pack of Cards with Envelopes for $10.99 from Amazon

When I was actively interviewing, I always carried at least 10 cards in my purse or car along with pre-stamped envelopes. As soon as I finished an interview, I’d head to a local coffeeshop and start writing out my cards, with a customized note while the conversation was still fresh. Once completed, sealed, and dropped in the mailbox, I wondered how something that seemed like a lot of effort could be so effortless!

 

What do I write in a ‘Thank You’ Note?

Since space is limited, you don’t want to write anything longer than a paragraph. Your 3-5 sentences should aim at:
1. Reiterate your interest in this specific role. Thank them for their time and consideration.
2. Share a specific reason why this role or company is very compelling to you.
3. Reassure them that you know you can immediately contribute to this role.
4. Sign your name.
5. Add a P.S. – An easy way to include something you talked about off subject. Share something memorable or personal from your conversation.

 

Here’s an example:

Dear Andrea,

Thank you very much for meeting with me to explore the Project Manager role at HBO. I am impressed at how closely each department works together and am excited at the prospect of working on projects that reach millions of fans. After speaking to the team, I know this would be an excellent cultural match and I hope to hear about next steps.

Best,

Emily

P.S. – I can’t wait to try Blue Bird Coffee – thanks for the local recommendation!

 

While Kyle already received an offer before the team received the cards, it made hiring managers ‘fight’ for him to be on their teams. I’ve also seen it help push candidates that were ‘on the hiring fence’.

Have you been sending out Thank You cards? Why or why not?

 

 

 

 

Drop your email down below to get instant access to our FREE resource library packed with tools, templates, & guides!

 

Spread the love