Throughout the months, we’ve shared details on how to ace your interview. There is one crucial step you should consider once your interview is over that can make you stand out from the crowd. Sending a quick thank you email can remind the employer that you’re interested, appreciate their time, and allow you to reinforce information. Thank you notes can be a deciding factor in making an offer. Here are some things to consider.
Why Should You Send a Thank You After an Interview?
When to Send Your Note
There are no hard and fast rules when sending a thank you note, but time is of the essence. In today’s fast-paced world, getting your note to the recipient as quickly as possible is best. As a rule of thumb, if your interview is in the morning, send your thank you the same day. If your interview is in the afternoon, send it the next morning.
Email or Snail Mail
The question of whether to send an email or a note in the mail is also frequently asked. Since email has become ubiquitous in professional instances, it is considered the first choice for most people. It also solves the time frame problem because sending an email is immediate, while a note in the mail can take longer and even get lost.
What to Say
Now it comes down to the mechanics of the note itself. What do you say when you send a thank you email? The main message should be thanking the interviewer for their time and reiterating your interest. Another good use of the thank you note is elaborating on anything you forgot to include in your interview. You can also clarify points or add details relevant to the decision-making process.
Avoid Common Mistakes
Of course, there are some common mistakes in follow-up letters that you want to avoid. They include:
- Not sending anything
- Being too generic
- Not spell checking
- Misspelling the recipients’ name
- Not including your contact information and expressing an interest in the job
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