You’ve finished the interview and are convinced that you made a positive impression. The interview process, however, is not yet complete.
A follow-up interview, whether by email or handwritten letter, is a vital part of the process that could just seal the sale.
How to write the ideal thank you email or letter for an interview?
Writing the right interview thank you email or letter takes work, but the rewards can be enormous.
A follow-up email interview should be brief, courteous, and personable.
- Make a note of everyone’s name or names in the interview. Look them up on LinkedIn if you’re unsure about the exact spelling.
2. Begin the email by expressing gratitude for their time.
3. Make sure the email is personalized and includes particular information about the position that you learned during the interview. Mention any memorable moments from the interview. It is important that the email does not appear to be a copy-and-paste job.
4. Maintain a positive tone and explain or reaffirm your qualification for the position.
5. If a second job interview is possible, do not ask directly, but rather indicate your availability to meet again.
6. Maintain a polite tone. Your grammar and spelling must be flawless. You may have built up a relationship during the interview, but any written correspondence should be entirely professional.
7. Make a draft of your email but don’t send it right away. Take a break, do something else, and then return to it for a last proofread. A minor spelling error may cost you your job.
8. Send the interview follow-up email within 24 hours, and no later than 48 hours. Any later and you risk appearing sluggish or uninterested.
A handwritten interview thank you note may be acceptable if you are interviewing with a conservative firm. Choose a professional, high-quality paper stock to write on and post it within 24 hours of the interview.
Here are some of the reasons why you should write an interview thank you email or letter.
It’s professional.
Your prospective employer has already given you his or her time for the interview, not to mention the time spent studying your CV and organizing the interview. It is proper business etiquette to express gratitude to your future employer and convey your appreciation for the chance.
It keeps you up to date.
Now that you’ve gotten your resume to the top of the stack, make sure it stays there. If an interviewer is looking at a lot of prospects, you want to make sure you stand out, and sending an interview thank you email or letter might help you accomplish that.
It shows your keenness.
A proactive employee is desired by every potential employer and following up displays your passion and dedication. You will also dispel any doubts about your enthusiasm for the position.
What’s next?
Hopefully, the company will react to your email or letter with a second interview – or, better still, an offer of employment. It’s fine to call to follow up on an interview if you haven’t heard back from the hiring manager, but make sure you wait a few days. It is never acceptable to call for a decision on a daily or weekly basis.