AFTER THE INTERVIEW: Embrace the power of the thank-you letter
Today’s job candidates often underestimate, or even
overlook, one post-interview gesture that actually can make or break your
chance at a job offer: the thank-you letter. Perhaps now more than ever, the
thank-you letter is an important step in elevating your candidacy and
knocking out the competition.
Don’t let the name fool you – your thank-you letter is not just
an opportunity to say “thank you.” It’s also an opportunity to qualify yourself
as the best contender for the job. Think of it as your first business proposal.
It should demonstrate your strong writing skills, showcase what you can do for
the company, and leave a lasting impression. Most importantly, it should paint
a picture of your professional future according the conversation you had in
your interview.
Sound daunting and intimidating? Breaking the letter down
into three key sections can take the mystery out of the process. Here’s my
foolproof format.
1: Thank and refresh.
You guessed it – you want to start out your letter by stating “thank you”
and expressing your appreciation for the interviewer’s time. Be sure to mention
the day you met with the interviewer, as well as the position you interviewed
for. Remember, the individual may be holding multiple interviews for multiple
positions, and this will help them identify you right away.
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Example: “Thank you for meeting with me on
Tuesday. Having the opportunity to meet with you and to learn more about the
<Position title> role at <Company name> was greatly appreciated.”
2: Qualify and
convince. The second paragraph should comprise the majority of your letter.
This is the place to communicate the skills and accomplishments you have, and
how you they will enable you to make a difference in the company. The key here
is to cater your delivery to the specific dialogue you had in your interview.
Touch upon the needs or obstacle of the company as described by the
interviewer, and demonstrate in detail how you are equipped to fulfill them. By
doing this, you show the employer that you have taken time to think seriously
about your role and prove the value you can bring to the company.
If done properly, this portion of your letter will pave the
way for further conversation about the skills you will bring to the table, and
will advance the interviewer’s interest in pursuing you as a candidate. Simply
put, this is your opportunity to convince the interviewer you are the stand-out
applicant – and that you mean business!
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Example: “As we discussed, my experience
training associates to deliver consistent service to outside vendors will benefit
<Company name>; which can influence your bottom line.”
3: Close and pursue. Your
third paragraph should begin with another “thank you” to show your sincere appreciation
for their consideration. Then, don’t be afraid to express your expectation of a
follow-up phone call or second interview and show your enthusiasm for the job. Just
like if you were trying to close a business deal (remember, your thank-you
letter is not dissimilar to your first business proposal!), you should be assertive
about pursuing the next steps.
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Example: “Thank you again for your time, and I
look forward to speaking with you again about how I can make a valuable
contribution to your company. I welcome the opportunity to meet with you for a
second interview and will follow-up with you on Thursday.”
Some final pointers:
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Just like the cover letter, your thank-you
letter should be short and concise to keep the interviewer’s attention. It
should be just a few paragraphs long and should not exceed one page. If you
have the time to hand write your letter, use resume paper.
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It’s always best to send everyone you interview
with a separate thank you letter. Don’t send the same letter to everyone –
people tend to share, and sending a duplicate message to each interviewer will
make you look insincere.
Finally, after you’ve sent your letter off, be
sure to follow up properly to reiterate your interest and stay fresh in the
interviewer’s mind. After all, the whole point of the thank-you letter is to
continue with the conversation until it leads to a hiring decision. This simple
gesture can make all the difference in whether or not you advance to the next
level, whether it’s a second interview or a job offer. So make it count!
Still have questions about thanking your interviewer? Feel
free to drop a note in the comments.
