Writing a thank you note has quickly gone out of fashion. It’s, unfortunately, something we’re just not programmed to do anymore. If we’re lucky, we remember to send a text or email to thank someone. In the age of social media and constant virtual connections, a handwritten note is quickly becoming a lost art.
Whether you think this is a good or bad thing, there’s one time when you should always say thank you with a handwritten note. That time is immediately after a job interview.
Whether in person or by phone, you should craft a handwritten note to the interviewer(s) to send within two days (calendar, not business) following the interview.
This note should cover three things:
- Say the words “thank you” (for their time, consideration of you, etc.);
- Restate your interest in the position;
- Advise that you are looking forward to the next steps (and own the follow-up).
If applicable, you should also touch on any point of significance that was discussed during the interview. It needn’t be too lengthy, but it absolutely must be written without spelling or grammatical mistakes.
I recommend that you draft the thank you note first (I typically type mine out) to make sure it is free of grammatical and spelling errors before you write.
As a last resort, you can send this note by email. This may be the best choice if you don’t have a mailing address or if the job selection process is expected to be completed within the next few days. You should try to avoid this whenever possible, though. Snail mail is best in this case. This step may take you a little bit of time, but it will certainly be worth it as it can help you stand out from the competition and gives you another chance to showcase your personal brand to a potential employer.
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