In this episode of the Job Talk podcast, we talk about how you can tell if your interview went well. If you think your interview didn’t go as well as you’d hoped, writing a thank you note is a great opportunity to address any concerns that may have come out of the interview.
An important, and often overlooked aspect of interviewing is writing a thank you note to the interviewer. It gives you an opportunity to either emphasize something that made you stand out as a strong candidate, or if you thought of something after the fact that you think would be important for the interviewer to know. Many candidates don’t send out a thank you note, so it can really help you stand out and give you an edge against other candidates. It also showcases your professionalism and interest in the role.
When to send
It is typically a good idea to send it within 24 hours. If you know that they’ll be interviewing other candidates the same, or the next day, they will probably be overloaded with information. In that scenario, waiting until the next day gives you the opportunity to refresh the interviewers memory about a key thing or two that they may have really liked about you.
Format
It is most common to send a thank you note as an email. During the interview, don’t be afraid to ask for everyone’s business card if you don’t already have their email addresses. With an email, you know they’ll receive it immediately, and likely will see it in a short amount of time. In some instances you may choose to send a hand-written note. This is less common these days. While a handwritten note can add a personal touch, it will also take longer for them to receive it, so they are best used in exceptional cases.
Subject Line
When sending an email, include the job title in the subject line so the interviewer knows what it’s in regards to. They may be interviewing numerous people for different roles, and have a lot of names and positions to keep track of.
Content of the Thank You Note
The thank you note should be short. No more than 2-3 short paragraphs. Express gratitude for their time and re-iterate your interest in the role. Highlight one or a few specific points that were discussed that align with the role. You may also mention any additional relevant skills or qualifications. If any questions or concerns were raised during the interview; address those as well.
For example, you could mention how a specific company project aligns with your skills discussed during the interview.
Keep It Concise and Professional
Your thank you note should be concise and professional. 2-3 paragraphs should be sufficient. Just as with your resume, make sure that you’ve proofread it and corrected any spelling and grammar errors.
Next Steps
At the end of the interview, it’s appropriate to inquire about next steps. If you didn’t get that information, then you may inquire about next steps in your thank you note. Also, offer to provide the interviewer with additional information if needed.
Conclusion
The thank you note gives you the opportunity to emphasize to the interviewer of any key strengths that you feel align very well with the role, or address any concerns that may have been raised during the interview and reassure the interviewer of any concerns they may have had. A well-written thank you note is like a powerful closing argument for your candidacy and can help you stand out from other candidates and play a key part in getting you to the next step in the interview process.
About iMPact Business Group
iMPact Business Group is a staffing agency specializing in Information Technology, Engineering, Finance/Accounting, and Business Administration/Process positions. We have locations in Grand Rapids, MI and Tampa, FL with job opportunities nationwide. To connect with one of our professional recruiters, view our job board for all available positions, or submit your resume for consideration here.
