To write or not to write, that is the question. The post-interview thank you note has somehow become controversial in our fast-paced, information-overload era, with many candidates (incorrectly) believing they are overly formal, obsolete, or — even worse — come across as desperate.
As executive marketing and job-finding experts, we always advise our clients to send a carefully worded, strategically timed follow-up email after an interview — and most hiring managers we work with expect to receive them, as well. Especially in today’s competitive job market, every detail counts.
Why to Send
The post-interview thank you note serves to strengthen the impression you made during your discussion and helps to build your professional relationship with the hiring manager or recruiter. Think of the famous “Rule of Seven,” a sales and marketing term that refers to the ideal number of touchpoints it takes for a customer to decide to make a purchase. In this case, you are the product, and some strategic salesmanship — in this case, a well-crafted thank you note — is required to close the deal.
When to Send
The general rule of thumb is to send your thank you note within 24 hours of your interview while your interaction is still fresh in your interviewer’s mind. But, don’t be too quick. Be sure to avoid writing the email in advance and hitting “send” on your phone as you’re leaving the interviewer’s office (or Zoom room). Take the time to truly process what you discussed and personalize the content of the email (more on that below).
In addition, if you interviewed separately with more than one person, you’ll want to write individual thank yous to each, personalizing the emails slightly so they know you took the time.
What to Send
What’s just as bad as not sending a thank you note at all? Sending one that’s generic and doesn’t add anything of value to the hiring process. This is a golden opportunity to show your level of engagement, as well as your communication style. Present yourself as a future colleague and a valued member of the team.
Think of the post-interview thank you note as a continuation of your conversation with the hiring manager. It should demonstrate you spent some time processing what was discussed and express your authentic enthusiasm for the role.
Our top five tips for crafting an effective post-interview thank you note:
- Concise is key. This isn’t the time to reiterate your skills one by one or provide a play-by-play summary of your conversation.
- Express gratitude. Thank the interviewer for their time and the opportunity to learn more about the position. Studies show that appreciation goes a long way in building relationships and company culture.
- Show genuine interest — but keep it professional. Make sure you express your continued interest in the position and the company, but please don’t gush. Be “just the right amount of excited” to avoid appearing needy.
- Add some personal detail. Did the interviewer share any personal information, perhaps about a podcast or documentary they enjoyed, a shared hometown or alma mater, or an upcoming vacation? You can briefly mention that you took the time to listen, watch, pick up or read whatever they mentioned and offer a quick take.
- A second set of eyes could help. When in doubt, have a trusted editor read over your note. Ask them for honest feedback about how you come across in the content.
Leave a Lasting Impression
You may be asking yourself: “Does a thank you email really matter if I’m a strong candidate for a position?”
The answer is yes: That simple thoughtful step can make the difference between you and a similarly qualified candidate.
How can an executive marketing and job finding firm help you get to the stage in the hiring process where post-interview thank you notes are required? With our unparalleled industry experience and insights, 20/20 Foresight is uniquely positioned to help candidates maximize their job-seeking efforts. We work with you hand-in-hand to develop your personal branding campaign, polish and perfect your résumé and digital persona, expertly coach your interviewing skills and — most impactfully — connect you with the top recruiters and hiring managers at the companies where you want to work.