The Thank You Letter
Always send a Thank You letter after every interview. Since so few people do it, you'll distinguish yourself on this point alone. Even if you don't get the job, your name is more likely to stick in an interviewer's mind than someone who didn't say "Thanks." The employer may be hiring again in the near future, either because more people are needed or the chosen person quit for some reason shortly after being hired. Both situations are not uncommon, so making yourself more memorable by writing a Thank You letter is a smart decision. A properly written letter certainly won't hurt, and it just might help you land the job.
Wait three or four days before sending the letter. This will give the interviewer time to "forget" about you – and be favourably impressed by the reminder.
When writing a Thank You letter, consider these points:
- Summarize and Reinforce Sum up the most important aspects of the job and briefly remind the interviewer why you're the best person for that position.
- Improve Your Performance Few people score perfectly in job interviews, so use your Thank You letter to clear up shaky areas. Example:
"Although I've had three jobs in four years, I believe the five year period spent as a
volunteer at the Retirement Home shows my ability to make a commitment."
- Make Yourself Memorable A great way to catch attention is to refer to something the interviewer said – preferably, some personal or casual comment made in passing. Example:
"Like your son, I took an interest in Graphic Design at an early age."
Showing that you remember them will help them remember you.
- Sincerity Phoney-sounding statements such as "I just love your company" are a turn-off. And tired clichés such as "Thank you for your consideration" aren't much better. Therefore, ask a few people to critically evaluate the letter before you send it.
- Am I really thankful? You should be! Competition is fierce for many job openings these days; just making it to the interview stage is a major accomplishment. So give yourself credit. On the other hand, if the prospect of getting the job doesn't excite you, you should re-examine your motive in applying for that position.
There's nothing difficult about a Thank You letter. It's simply a personalized letter reminding the interviewer that you're the person who will benefit their organization and get the job done.