Thank You Letter

Thank you letters should be a standard tool in your job search.   Never underestimate the power of a thank you letter.  It may be the deciding factor in your favor, especially when there are other candidates with your qualifications applying for the same position.  Every thank you is an opportunity to sell your qualifications and leave a fresh impression in the mind of the reader.  Thank you letters should be sent to individuals who have:

• Referred you to employers
• Interviewed you for employment
• Offered you a position
• Rejected you for employment
• Written recommendations for you
• Provided you with general information

When writing a thank you letter, keep in mind that it should

• Show that you are courteous, knowledgeable and professional.
• Demonstrate your written communication skills.
• Help to make you stand out in the minds of the interviewers.
• Elevate you above competing candidates who didn’t bother to write.
• Give you an opportunity to reinforce your good points.
• Allow you to include something important you forgot to mention during your interview.
• Confirm your understanding of topics discussed.
• May be in letter format or neatly hand written on a card.

Basics of a Thank You Letter

Statement of appreciation for the interview

• Thank the interviewer for his or her time.
• Reiterate your interest in the job and enthusiasm for the company.

Expression of interest in employment

• State something that will help the interviewer recognize you as an individual amongst all the candidates.
• Address a topic of particular interest that arose during your interview – focus on a topic that reflects favorably on your job-related skills.
• Address an interviewer’s specific concern in greater detail than was possible during the actual interview.

Brief restatement of qualifications

• Re-emphasize a skill or strength important to the interviewer.
• Include any pertinent information you failed to mention during the interview.

Final thank you

• Thank the interviewer again for his or her time and consideration.

Thank You Letter Tips

• When interviewing with several people, take a few minutes between interviews to jot down some notes about each conversation.   Use these notes when writing individualized letters.
• Be brief and to the point.
• Take this as an opportunity to restate your qualifications.
• Always plan your follow up.   Make it a point to tell the person when and how they can expect to hear from you.
• Address your letter to the person by name.