No matter how many job interviews you have sat for, the next one can still be as nerve-wracking as the first one! There are a few ground rules that you need to remember when you are going for an interview.
One of those is writing a thank you note after your interview. This note holds a lot of value for several reasons, and no matter how well (or how badly) your interview went, the thank you note is a must.
Thank You Note After Interview
You will be surprised to know that your chances of getting hired substantially increase with a simple thank you note. It not only shows your professionalism and politeness, but it also helps the hiring manager remember you when the final time arrives for making a decision.
Many hiring managers might automatically dismiss an interviewee if they do not send a thank-you note, so keep this in mind.
A well-written thank you note can easily put you at the top of the pile when it comes to recruiters choosing the final candidates. Of course, it is essential to know how to write a good thank-you note.
Here are a few helpful tips that you need to know to write the best thank you note after an interview:
Read More: How to Write Thank You for Interview Email?
1. A Clear Subject Line
Don’t fuss about what kind of interesting or eye-catching subject line you should add. Please keep it simple and clear. Find out the hiring managers name (or the person who conducted your interview) and add a subject line as-
Thank You [Mr./Ms. hiring managers name]
Or
Thank you for the interview The subject line is not the place to show off your creativity or uniqueness, so stick to these examples. And of course, don’t ever leave the subject line blank, or there is a high chance of the hiring manager simply sending your email off to the junk folder!
2. Open with a Friendly Greeting Message
The very first opening line should have a friendly, conversational tone. However, keep in mind that this is still a formal interview, so don’t get too friendly! An excellent example of an opening line would be to add the interviewer’s name, and then write something like-
Thank you for taking the time to meet with me and talk about the position of (position and company name). It was a pleasure to learn more about (what you spoke about in the interview in one line).
3. The Actual ‘Thank You’
Express your appreciation with a genuine thank you. Elaborate and mention something important you spoke of in the interview, or something that caught your curiosity during the interview process. You can also acknowledge the fact that the interview with (the hiring manager) helped you understand the needs of the position better and you are excited to move forward.
Read More: What Is a Pre-screening Interview?
4. Your Interest in the Job Offer
Add two or three lines are only talking about your interest in the company and the position being offered to you. The interviewer wants to hear how genuinely interested and excited you are to join the company.
In case the interview has made you realize that you think you are not fit for the job, mention this clearly in the email. The hiring manager will always appreciate the honesty and the fact that they will not have to waste time and effort on someone who is not interested in the position anymore for whatever reasons.
5. Build Yourself Up
In one or two lines again, refer to something you spoke about in the interview in light of your strengths and skills. Mention how you think your current skill set will be useful for the position and the company. Make this part as personalized as possible, but don’t make the email too long.
6. Signing Off
Many people often add a line is telling the hiring manager that they can get back to them if they are interested, or that they can add references if the hiring manager wishes to see them.
This line is completely unnecessary. The hiring manager already knows that they can contact you if needed, and also ask you for references. Don’t waste space on the thank you email by adding these lines. Instead, remember to add your contact information at the top of the email, so the interviewer has instant access to it if they need it.
Read More: How to Prepare for Top Questions for a Job Interview?
Thank them once again, then close off the email with a professional sign off like-
Sincerely- (your full name)
You can also add some additional links to your LinkedIn, Twitter, or your website here.
When Should You Send the Thank You Note?
When it comes to timing, it is essential not to be too early, neither too late. The best option is to send your thank you note within 24 hours of completing the interview. This way, you are still fresh in the interviewer’s mind. Sending the email too early is also not a good idea, so wait for a few hours before you send it.
Another thing to keep in mind is to try and send the email sometime in the morning or early evening. Don’t send the thank you note during odd hours of the night, as it just seems inappropriate.
Some Important Things to Remember When Sending a Thank You Note After the Interview:
- In case you are sending several thank, your notes to various hiring managers, make sure you don’t simply copy and paste the note to all of them. Personalize each thank you note. The hiring managers will be able to distinguish a personally written note from one taken off the internet, or copy-pasted.
- Be sure to check the hiring manager’s name and spelling properly when writing the thank you note.
- Send the note within 24 hours of the interview.
- Don’t try and be too creative with the thank you note. Don’t add unique fonts, colours, or templates. Just keep it professional but have a friendly tone.
Read More: How to Answer – Reasons for Leaving a Job
These are the essential tips to keep in mind that will help you draft out a perfect ‘thank you note’ for sending to your hiring managers after an interview.
