After a Great Job Interview, Write a Killer Thank You Note

by on November 28, 2012

Once upon a time, almost anyone who could write, knew how to write a thank you note. But today, a well-written note is so rare that it places you ahead of the pack.

The best thank you notes are short, sincere, and specific to each interview. So:

1. Be Prepared for Thank You Note Success

  • Before going to your interview, buy an attractive blank note card from a card shop. No humor, and nothing fancy or with writing on the inside. This needs to reflect you, so keep the card simple and write your note in your own words.
  • Take the card and a stamp with you to your interview.
  • Be sure to ask your interviewer for their business card, so that you know where to send your thank you.
  • After your interview, go sit quietly (if you’re an introvert, or want to take some notes) or call a friend (if you’re an extrovert, or want to talk things out) and think through what went well and what you’d like to do differently next time.

Now use this simple approach to craft your note:

2. Start By Thinking About Your Audience

In this case, your “audience” is the person, or people, who interviewed you. To put them solidly in mind, ask yourself:

  • Did they enjoy our conversation?
  • Where, in particular, did we connect?
  • Was their interviewing style more on the “warm and friendly” or more on the “strictly business” end of the scale?

OK, got it? Now you’re ready to write.

3. Use “The Rule of 3″ to Write Your Note

Three sentences, plus a date, a greeting, and a close, are all you need to get this job done.

At the top of the note, in the right-hand corner, write today’s date.

Then, on the left, write, “Dear [Their Name].” If the person was super friendly, a first name will do; it they were super formal, use their title. In between “Mr.” or “Ms.” and their last name is correct.

Then write:

Sentence: #1 Thank the person for meeting with you.

  • If you liked them, or if they were particularly friendly, you can say something like “Thank you for making my interview today so pleasant.”
  • If they were more businesslike, just say something like, “Thank you for taking the time to meet with me today.”

Sentence #2: Mention something that you liked about the interview.

  • If they were personal or friendly, say something personal, such as, “I particularly enjoyed our talk about [whatever you—and they—particularly enjoyed talking about].”
  • If they were more businesslike, say something businesslike, such as, “I was glad to learn more about [name of organization].”

Sentence #3: Repeat your interest in the job (but don’t repeat your qualifications or act as if the interview is still going on!).

  • Friendly version: “I would be thrilled to work for [name of organization], and hope to meet you again as a colleague.”
  • Business version: “I am now even more interested in working with [name of organization], and appreciate your help with the process.”

Here’s what those two notes look like when you put it all together:

Friendlier Version:

Thank you for making my interview today so pleasant. I particularly enjoyed our talk about [whatever you—and they—particularly enjoyed talking about]. I would be thrilled to work for [name of organization], and hope to meet you again as a colleague.

More Businesslike Version:

Thank you for taking the time to meet with me today. I was glad to learn more about [name of organization]. I am now even more interested in working with [name of organization], and appreciate your help with the process.

Sign it “Sincerely,” then print your name so that you’re sure they can read it. If you have a business card, include it.

And Last But Not Least…

Go home, put your feet up, and have a glass of wine or hot tea.

The hardest job in the world is looking for a job. [tweet that]

So congratulate yourself on a job well done today, and be kind to yourself while you’re waiting for the results.

Need Help Preparing for Your Next Job Interview?

I do one-on-one job interview coaching in person, by phone, and by Skype. Contact me to talk about how we can work together to make your interview a success.

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  • Craig Klinefelter

    After three months of looking…I had my my first interview yesterday. Thanks for your help saying “Thank you”!

  • Jezra

    Congratulations! I’m glad to help, and hope you’ll have something to celebrate soon.

  • Terri

    10 years ago I interviewed for a secretarial job, I knew there were many applicants so I decided to send thank you notes to everyong I came in contact with on the day of my interview, including the receptionist.  It took time to do it, but the effort was worth it – I got the job and 10 years and 2 promotions later, I’m still happily employed at the same place!  The note doesn’t have to be long, just be sincere and keep it simple.

  • Jezra

    Terri, congratulations! I’ve never heard of anyone sending a thank you to the receptionist before, and wouldn’t have thought of doing it myself (though I would have thought to get her or his name and establish a connection). Sounds like you’re with a great company; I’d love to know what position you currently hold. I was a secretary for many years myself, so it’s great to hear about you moving up from that springboard.

  • Jezra

    Craig, I’m looking forward to hearing about how things go in your job search. Thanks so much for reading, and for your comment. 

  • Marie

    Hello  - I just wanted to thank you for this great advice – I actually interviewed for (2) positions with the same person at the same time. 

  • Jezra

    Marie, thanks so much for letting me know. I hope you get the job you want, and look forward to hearing about your success!

  • http://twitter.com/RemotePoss Craig Hadden

    This is great interview advice , Jezra, so thanks!

    I love the way your examples show the actual words someone might use, and you give both a friendly and a business version.

  • j John

    oh, my god, I have been interviewed for one month, but there is still no message, and i also did not write a thank you note, should I write now??? really need some suggestions , please help me

  • http://www.speakupforsuccess.com/ Jezra Kaye

    John, even though it’s a month since your interview, I don’t think it hurts to send a note — but the note should reflect that time has passed. You could say something like, “Over the last month, I’ve been thinking about our interview, and I really appreciate how friendly and helpful you were.” (Or whatever is true.) You could also try to get through to someone at the company, or a recruiter, and say, “I’m calling to find out if a decision has been made yet, and if not, when do you expect to make one?” Unfortunately, companies don’t always contact the applicants who didn’t get the job, and you have every right to follow up and ask what’s happening, as long as you don’t do it in a rude or harassing way. (Which you totally wouldn’t anyway :-)

  • http://www.speakupforsuccess.com/ Jezra Kaye

    Craig, I hope I thanked YOU for this wonderful note at the time you posted it. I appreciate your support!