Writing Thank You Letters

"No one who achieves success does so without the help of others. The wise and confident acknowledge this help with gratitude."
 ~ Alfred North Whitehead

THE THANK-YOU LETTER

The thank-you letter is key to effective interview follow-up! This is an essential piece of the job search and can play a significant role in the hiring process.

• Typically a thank you is sent within 24 hours of the interview, and is used to express your appreciation as well as to strengthen your candidacy for the position.
• Try to send a thank you to each individual participating in the hiring process. If this is not feasible, then send a thank you to your interview ‘host’ or to the highest ranking manager you met with, and include a request to extend your thanks to the entire group.
• Thank-you letters can be hand-written (neatly and on professional appearing stationary), typed up and sent in the mail, or emailed.

Note:  Hand-written letters may be more fitting for an organization in which you made a very close connection; while a typed or emailed thank you tends to work better for a conservative organization or if you have poor handwriting.

 

• If you are going to email a thank you, be sure it is as professional as if it were typed and sent through the mail.
• Emailing a thank you may also be necessary when hiring decisions are going to be made faster than when a thank you will reach them via mail.
• Also, don’t forget to send a thank you to those with whom you have had informational interviews as well as those individuals who serve as your references.

See below for an outline of a thank-you letter and click here to see a sample.

THANK-YOU LETTER FORMAT/FOLLOW-UP LETTER

Your Street Address
City, State Zip Code

Date

Name of person you are writing to
Title
Organization or Company name
Street Address
City, State Zip Code

Dear Mr./Ms. Blank:

First Paragraph – Express appreciation for being granted the interview and for the courtesies extended to you by the interviewer. Indicate the job for which you were interviewed, where the interview was conducted, and the date. Perhaps you will want to recall some pleasant incident that took place during the interview.

Second Paragraph – Reaffirm you interest in the job or position for which you were interviewed. Briefly cover your reasons for wanting this type of work. This section can also be used to address any concerns you had during the interview. If there was an answer to a question you wanted to add to or if you wanted to clarify something, thank-yous are a perfect place for that.

Closing Paragraph – End your letter on an enthusiastic and positive note. Indicate that you are available for further interviewing at their convenience. Provide your phone number and email address and encourage follow-up if there are additional questions.

Sincerely,

Your handwritten signature – blue or black ink
Type your name