Many job seekers have had interviews. Of those, unfortunately, many job seekers are not called back for a second interview, nor are they moved forward in the process. There could be many reasons for this, but one of the reasons within your power is the idea of writing a thank you note post job interview. Below are a few tips for writing an effective thank you letter.
Write Properly
The purpose of this first step isn’t to criticize those who may not consider themselves strong writers. These thank-you letters don’t require flowery language—just clear, correct writing. Proper spelling, grammar, and punctuation are essential. Short, direct sentences are typically better than long, complicated ones, regardless of writing style. The most important thing is clarity for the reader. If small edits like fixing spelling or punctuation can make your message easier to understand, it’s expected that you’ll make those changes—especially as a prospective employee. It’s simply respectful. If you can, have a friend or trusted peer review your letter before sending it. That’s good advice for any kind of writing. Perfection isn’t the goal—putting in your best effort is.
As a tangent, this includes writing all the traditionally included portions of a letter, like a salutation, body, and closing. The most important of these is probably the salutation. Who are you writing to? Signing off on a letter addressed to “Whom It May Concern” can be cold and sound ungrateful, which is not what you want to convey after interviewing. Obviously, you met the interviewers, right?
What Does the Opportunity Mean to You?
At its core, writing is about sharing information. But here’s something to consider: how do people usually remember information best? Through stories. The interviewers reading your thank-you letter are no exception. What was the story you retold in the interview? Or that made you want to do this specific thing? Hone in on that.
Center your message on what the opportunity means to you personally and what you bring to the table. When your appreciation is sincere and clearly expressed, readers are far more likely to connect with your message—even if there are a few grammatical or punctuation errors along the way.
Look to the Future
Why are you looking into this role? Why did you interview with this company? These are questions that are important to ask yourself and answer in the post job interview thank you note. But beyond that, what do you see yourself doing in this role? What experiences can you bring to the table and work towards implementing a brighter future for the company? These are also questions to ask, though they are more far-reaching.
On the closer end of the spectrum, ask the interviewers about next steps. When will there be another interview? Are they considering other candidates? When will you hear back from them? These can all be engaging questions to ask that show interest and eagerness.
Be Personable
While it might not seem as crucial as expressing your gratitude, adding a personal touch can make a big impact in a thank-you letter. Was there a story that you and the interviewer(s) connected over? Share work history? Any little detail, down to the most minute, can be of help here.
By applying these tips, you can craft a thank-you letter that truly resonates with the reader. While they’re especially helpful for post job interview thank you notes, these suggestions can be used to express gratitude in many situations and to many kinds of supporters. Taking the time to sincerely thank those who’ve helped you isn’t just courteous—it’s meaningful. Your letter has the power to make someone’s day and, in doing so, breathe new life into the often-overlooked art of letter writing. This can make all the difference in your job hunting experience.
