How to Write the Best Thank You Note After an Interview

What do you think is the best thing to do after your interview? Will you just sit down and wait for the good (or not-so-good) news? Or would you rather do something that can impress your potential employers? If you really want to increase the chances of getting in, then plain waiting will do you no good. Instead, send a Thank You note after interview appointments. Trust us, this can open up doors for you. But of course, sending a random Thank You note isn’t going to cut it as well. You have to know how to write a Thank You note properly so that it will be more effective. If you need some guidance, then this post will cover it and more. 

Why are Thank You Notes Important? 

The fact is, most applicants wouldn’t even bother sending Thank You notes. They think it’s just a waste of time. But there are actually good reasons why you need to send one as soon as possible. Hopefully, these reasons will be able to change your mind. 

It Keeps You Connected with Employers 

If you want to get a job in a specific company, a Thank You note after interview should help you. Sending a quick email separates you from the other candidates. This should start a different connection between you and the Hiring Manager or employer.   

The Hiring Manager will Remember You 

With the hundreds of applicants that they interview every week, how can you stand out? 

So let’s just say you were able to ace the interview. Congratulations, but that’s not enough. It is crucial that you level up your game when applying for a job. Again, a Thank You note is a must.  

You can Highlight Your Qualifications

In your Thank You note, you can reiterate why you should be selected among all the applicants. There is a proper way of doing this and we will explain this in detail in the next section.  

It Shows Your Passion and Enthusiasm to Work with Them 

And lastly, sending a quick email after your interview shows how interested you are to work for their company. Most employers would like to hire applicants who are passionate about working with them. Your technical qualifications are important, but your attitude towards their company matters the most. 

Things to Remember When Sending Thank You Note After Interview

There are, of course, some rules that you have to consider when sending Thank You notes to employers. You can’t just send random notes and expect that it will work. You need to do it the proper way.   

Start with a Good Subject Line 

A simple, ‘Thank You, [Interviewer’s Name]’ should be enough. It doesn’t have to be grand or with puns and jokes. Other variations include: 

• Thank you for your time. 
• Thank you – Graphic Designer Interview
• Thank you for your advice 

Be Cautious About Your Grammar

When writing a Thank You note, or any note for that matter, grammar is important. Sending an email with content filled with errors will not sit well with employers. You are sending the impression that you are either unfit to communicate in written form or that you don’t give much attention to details.  

Don’t Send a Generic Type of Thank You Note

You also need to personalize your Thank You note. Remember to add the name of the Hiring Manager and try to avoid generic messages. Perhaps, you can add a couple of sentences about your recent interview. Tell them how much you enjoyed it and that you look forward to working with them.  

Be Professional

You need to be careful with the words you use in your Thank You note. You need to sound friendly yet professional. You don’t want to cross that border and make your Hiring Manager feel that you don’t respect his or her position.  

Take Into Consideration the Other Elements  

And don’t forget other elements of your Thank You Note. Think about the layout, and even your photo if you plan to include it. Everything has to be clean, direct to the point, but worth remembering. 

What to Include in Your Thank You Note? 

You wouldn’t want your Thank You note to be extremely long. Otherwise, the Hiring Manager or employer will not waste time to read it. You have to keep it short and simple. But what are the essential things you need to cover? Here are a few:

Reason Why You Fit the Job  

You might want to briefly explain once again why you are the perfect candidate for the job. Links to your portfolio and LinkedIn page will be beneficial as well. Don’t make it long and winding. Be straight to the point and get your message across.  

Things You Missed During the Interview 

During your interview, you might have missed a couple of details. Your Thank You note is a good avenue to write those. If there are clarifications you need to address, then write those down. Again, please make it short. Bear in mind that a text-heavy email will just go straight to the ‘TRASH’. 

Don’t Forget Your Signature

And lastly, make sure to improve your signature. It needs to look more professional. Try to remove unnecessary images or icons such as emojis. 

The Truth About Thank You Notes 

Let’s talk about some facts on employees, hiring managers, and how Thank You notes affect their decisions.  

• More than 50% of applicants do not bother sending notes after the interview. 
• According to one study, 20% of hiring managers and recruiters will not consider applicants who do not send a Thank You note. 
• Based on a survey, around 80% of HR Managers think that Thank You notes can help in reaching a final decision. 

When to Send Your Thank You Note 

The timing of your Thank You note is also important. You don’t send it after a week of your interview. Chances are, the Hiring Manager or recruiter won’t be able to see it. In fact, they may have already forgotten you by then. 

That is why we recommend that you send your Thank You note within 24 hours after your interview. Send it while it is fresh and while your interviewer can still remember you and your conversation. 

If you are not used to sending out Thank You Notes after your interview, our team can help you with the content. Reach out to us and learn more.