Why should you send a thank-you note? At this point, the bottom line is that most hiring managers and interviewers expect it.
On the other hand, it can also feel robotic, as most thank you notes follow the same general outline…
“Thank you for taking the time to speak with me regarding your open opportunity. I am excited about the prospect of working on your team. After careful consideration, I am confident that my background and skills make me the ideal candidate for the role. Should you have any other questions, please feel free to contact me. I am looking forward to hearing from you.”
It’s a nice thought, but it doesn’t tell the interviewer anything they don’t already know. Sending a thank you is important, but so is standing out. Rather than sending the mechanical sounding email above, this can be a place for a little creativity. Remember: this is a job interview, so don't get too cute, but take the opportunity to leave an impression.
Here are a few things to consider that can set your note apart:
- Refer to an interesting part of your conversation.
- Take the opportunity to follow up or expand on one of your talking points.
- If you are kicking yourself about not bringing something up in the interview, state it here instead.
- Mention how one of your unique skills could help the team improve performance or meet goals.
Make sure to send your follow up quickly, the same day, if possible. Be concise, and make sure you proofread for spelling errors and grammatical mistakes. Once you click send, all you can do is wait and know you’ve done everything in your power to land the job!
This is part of our “How to Nail Your Interview” blog series. Read about how to introduce yourself in an interview, what your interview body language says about you, and why doing some research can help you land the job.
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