Give your job application an extra boost by following up with a thank-you note.
You’ve written the perfect CV and survived the critical interview. So what do you do now? Nothing? Wait until you hear back from the company? Wrong. Give your job application an extra boost by following up with a thank-you note. If you do, you can be sure that you will rise that much higher to the top of the candidate pool.
It’s always a good idea to follow up an interview with a thank you note to your prospective employer. The thank you note is something that should not be forgotten in today’s competitive job market, yet many applicants tend to overlook this small but important detail.
A post-interview thank-you note shows your enthusiasm for the position as well as grabbing the attention of prospective employers. The following are some tips to bear in mind when writing a thank-you note.
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Ensure that your note goes out immediately following the interview, ideally within 24 hours. It’s of no use sending it a week after the interview.
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Keep the thank you note brief and courteous. It should be no more than one page.
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Resist the urge to sell yourself: you hopefully accomplished that in the interview.
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Recap your strengths, being careful to relate them to the requirements of the job and the company.
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Show courtesy by expressing your appreciation for the opportunity to interview with the employer, and thank them for taking the time to meet with you.
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The thank you note can be an ideal opportunity to make points you may have forgotten to make in the interview.
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Because so few job applicants send thank you notes, it gives you an opportunity to stand out in the eyes of the employer.
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Express your continued enthusiasm about the position and the company.
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If you interviewed with multiple individuals, make sure that your thank you letter to each is unique.
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Avoid using “Thank You” stationery or business letterhead when writing your thank you. Just use standard plain paper – maybe the same paper you used when printing out your CV.
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For an extra personal touch, send a handwritten note, if possible.
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E-mail is acceptable if this has been your primary means of communication with the company. Sending thank you letters via email is fine as long as it fits the “culture” of the organisation and is used appropriately.
Debbie O’Halloran
