The Importance of a Thank You Email After an Interview
For job seekers, the interview process is not over when you walk out of the door or hang up the phone. Sending a thank you email to your interviewers is a simple, yet effective way to stand out from the rest of the interviewees. Surprisingly, not all executive candidates follow up with a thank you letter after their interview. When asking one of our executive recruiters who has screened and worked with hundreds of candidates in the past year, he estimates that only around 30 of them have followed up in such a way. Of course, the percentages could vary across companies, but what we do know is that not every professional plans to send a message of gratitude post-interview.
It’s not too hard to imagine why the numbers are so low. The job market has been more challenging for candidates these days, so the idea of showing appreciation to every hiring manager or recruiter you interview with can feel draining or frustrating if you only receive rejection in return (or worse, are ghosted altogether). But try to reframe it this way – sending a thank you letter is not just a means to show gratefulness towards hiring managers and recruiters for considering you for the role; it is also something that may benefit your job hunt in unexpected ways.
The Benefits of Sending a Thank You Email
In today’s world, emails are a preferred method of communication for many (if not all) employers. Emailing a thank you letter after an interview is a unique opportunity to demonstrate your written communication skills and ability to follow up, reiterate your interest in the position, and remind the interviewer why you are a good fit for the role.
Not only that, you can also add any thoughts worth highlighting that you were unable to share during the interview or had once you reflected after the fact. Was there an important piece of information you meant to talk about with the interviewer, but completely forgot to mention it in the moment? Add it in the thank you email. Did the interviewer express concern about something during the interview? Address it and reassure them in the thank you email. Did the interviewer seem interested in learning more about your portfolio or project you had discussed during the interview? Send the link or attachment in the thank you email.
Tips for Writing a Thank You Email
Now that we have noted the perks of sending a thank you, here are our tips to ace your message.
- Gather contact information before leaving the interview. If you have not already exchanged emails with the interviewer(s) prior to your meeting, consider asking for their business card to get their full name, job title, and email address (where it is certain to be spelled out correctly).
- Send the email within 24 hours of your interview. That way, your thoughts and impressions of the meeting are still fresh in your mind (as well as the interviewer’s). It’s also timely.
- Make sure your tone stays professional. Even if you felt comfortable with the interviewer when conversing, you are still trying to put your best foot forward.
- Keep the email brief. Aim to write a couple paragraphs at most.
- Have a clear and concise subject line. For example, “Thank you – Interview with (your name)” easily tells the interviewer who sent the email and what it contains.
- Mention the position you interviewed for in the first sentence. Depending on the size of the organization, the hiring authority could be recruiting for multiple job openings at once, so clarify the role you are referencing from the get-go.
- Share a key point from the interview. What did you discuss about the organization or position that stood out to you the most, and how does it align with your values or experiences? Do you recall a moment where you shared a laugh with the interviewer over a relatable work incident? Did you tell the interviewer you would send them additional information or documents post-interview?
- Express gratitude and interest. Thank the interviewer for their time and relay your excitement to hear about the next step of the process.
- Proofread the note to ensure it is well-written and free of typos or grammatical errors. You haven’t finished impressing your interviewer just yet, so don’t slack now!
- Send separate emails if you were interviewed by more than one person. Customizing messages to the respective interviewer adds a nice, personal touch. This can also show the panelist that you were paying close attention to each conversation and person.
Taking the time to put your thoughts and notable moments from the meeting into a message can make a lasting impression on the employer. Not only will sending a thank you email to hiring managers add extra context to your interview, but it will also increase your chances of being top of mind during the deliberation process.
Bristol Associates, Inc. is an executive search firm with over 55 years of excellence in recruiting nationwide. Bristol specializes in recruiting for the Casino Gaming; CBD; Facility and Concession; Food and Beverage; Healthcare; Hotel and Resort; Nonprofit; Restaurant; and Travel, Tourism, and Attraction industries.
If you’re interested in working with Bristol Associates, click here if you’re an employer or here if you’re a candidate.
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