Write a thank you note following a job interview to show you care about what happened during your face time, regardless of the outcome. A piece of follow-up correspondence may seem old fashioned, but a quick, personal note may actually land the job when human resources managers account for all other aspects equally.
Many hiring managers no longer consider candidates if they fail to write a thank you note, regardless of how well the prospective employee handled the job interview. Saying "thank you" with a formal, quick letter shows you respect the people with whom you interviewed. A note also lets your potential boss know you realize the value of his time, energy and effort put forth just for you.
A thank you note, simply put, makes you stand out from other candidates. Send the letter immediately after the interview. Handwritten notes may mean more than digital ones, but feel free to send both varieties. An email can be sent immediately following the interview, even from your smartphone in your car a few minutes after you leave the room. Put a handwritten note in the mail later that same day. Use both types to cover the immediacy of the note and the uniqueness of handwriting a letter.
Write the letter while the interview is still fresh in your mind. Don't use a generic template that everyone has seen before. Refer to specifics mentioned in the interview, such as a point you want to reiterate to a future manager. In addition to saying "thank you" in the note, remind the interviewers why you stand out from everyone else. Make a personal connection that the interviewers remember later as they talk about other candidates.
A handwritten thank you note should be done on high-quality paper or with a formal thank you card. Begin with a formal greeting such as "Dear Mr." or "Dear Ms." and then a last name. Write three to five lines of text. The first sentence thanks your interviewer for his time, while the second line restates your interest in the position. The third line mentions further lines of communication. Add a couple of lines regarding a personal connection made during the interview. If you make a handwriting mistake, start over with a brand new card or piece of paper.
Send your thank you note with a colored envelope to make it stand out from other mail. Write the sender's address and your return address by hand in the same script as your letter. Make sure you have the correct postage affixed to the envelope.
A thank you note is not an old-fashioned method of communication. This type of letter puts your personal finishing touch on the job search process. Your note bookends the unique cover letter you sent with your resume previously, and it shows your class no matter what happens.
Photo courtesy of woodleywonderworks at Flickr.com
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