Prepare

How to write a good thank-you note

• Make it personal. A generic thank-you note can be worse than no thank-you note at all. What it communicates is that you know you’re supposed to write a note but don’t care enough to give it your best effort. Address the interviewer and company by name (not by first name unless you’ve been invited to do so). Mention something from the interview that struck you as interesting or unique.
• Make it sincere. If the employer senses that your gratitude isn’t genuine, your thank-you note will backfire. Authenticity matters.
• Keep it short and to the point. You’ll leave a fresh, positive impression if you stick to the basics:
  • Express your appreciation for the interviewer’s time and consideration.
  • Mention something interesting about the interview.
  • Emphasize (briefly!) any information that may not have been shared in the interview.
  • Reiterate your interest in the position.
  • Remind the employer how well suited you are for the position.
• Send a separate note to everyone who interviewed you. If more than one person participated in interviewing you, send each one a separate and unique thank-you note.
• Proofread, proofread, proofread. Be sure to check for misspellings and errors just as you would on your résumé or cover letter — in many ways it is just as important.
• Don’t delay. If at all possible, your note should be sent the day of the interview.

Hand-written, typed, or emailed? Which is best?

1. Typed notes that are printed, put into printed envelopes, and mailed.
2. Emailed notes (see a sample thank you email).
3. Hand-written notes.

In the end, you should choose the method based on the job you are seeking, what you feel most comfortable doing, and what you think the employer will prefer.

Following up

You may or may not get an email in response to your thank-you note, but don’t assume that means bad news. If you still haven’t heard anything at the end of the hiring timeline they indicated (or after two weeks, if unsure), you can reach out to the employer again.