Employment Expertise: The thank you note: a post-interview essential

By West Michigan Works!

You submitted your resume, got an interview and left the interview feeling great. Before you celebrate, there’s one last step to your job search:

A thank you note.

One in three employers think less of a candidate who doesn’t send a thank you note. One in ten wouldn’t hire someone if they don’t send a thank you note, according to Career Builder.

Here are some tips to help you write a memorable thank you note:

Keep it short, professional and sincere.
Send the note within 24 hours of your interview.
- Hiring managers are busy. If they receive your note a day or two after your interview, it shows them you are organized. And, it helps them remember you as they make hiring decisions.
A hand-written note is best.
- The average hiring manager receives 100+ emails a day. Make your thank you note stand out by sending it through the postal service instead of their clogged inbox.
Choose a thank you note that is simple and professional.
- Avoid cartoons, silly sayings and bright colors.
Use the three sentence rule:
- #1: thank them for the interview.
  - “Thank you for taking the time to interview me yesterday.”
- #2: Add something personal from your interview.
  - Reference a specific conversation or a question they asked. Or, talk about something you liked from the interview.
  - “I really enjoyed hearing more about your company culture.”
- #3: Repeat your interest in the job.
  - Remind them you’ll be a great addition to their organization.
  - “I look forward to working with you in the future. My background will help [name of organization] continue to grow.”
- Don’t forget to add “Dear [their name]” and the beginning, and “Sincerely, [your name]” at the end.