You aced the interview! You highlighted your fantastic skills, let your personality shine through, and now you just wait. After tons of practice and coaching, you’ve finally done it.
After all, you’ve done all you can so the rest is on your potential future employer.
Not so fast. While, yes, you should be proud of yourself for excelling at that interview, you’re not quite done yet.
One of the best ways to stand out to a company is by sending thank you notes after the interview. Believe it or not, failing to send a quick thank you may actually harm your chance of getting the job!
Don’t undo your hard work! keep reading for more info on why you need to send these notes, when to send them, and what to include.
Why Thank You Notes Still Matter
It’s understandable that you may have other interviews lined up, so writing a thank you letter may be the last thing on your mind. But don’t let business harm your chances of advancing your career!
The bottom line is that, yes, you absolutely should still send a follow-up. This shows the interviewer or interviewers that you’re thankful for their time.
Yet there’s a bit of a more psychological reason why we still send a follow-up.
Thank you notes have become a common practice. Thus, sending a note shows that you’re aware of the norms and expectations of the business world.
The right thank you note shows that you’re courteous and friendly — two huge assets any team is looking for.
It also gives you a fantastic way to show that you really are interested in the job! It shows that you’re willing to go the extra mile and do everything necessary to do a good job.
How Soon Should You Send Thank You Notes?
The general rule of thumb is to send a thank you note as soon as possible. Be it an e-mail, snail mail, or even a phone call, it’s important that you follow up here.
And fast.
You should aim to get your thank you note out to the interviewer(s) the same day of your interview. This means setting aside some time but think of it as in investment in your career.
There’s no such thing as too soon. As soon as you get home from your interview, start thinking about how you can craft the perfect thank you note.
What Should You Include?
You may have some trouble striking the right tone with your thank you notes. If you find yourself at the computer with a blank document, here are a few good tips you can follow.
- Always be specific. The more relevant information to the interview you can include, the more you’ll stand out. You don’t want your thank you note to sound canned or like it was hastily written.
- If it was a group interview, send a note to everyone you interviewed with. It doesn’t matter how much time it’ll take. You’re going to impress them if you can individualize your letters.
- Be sure to highlight your skills again. While this isn’t your cover letter, it still presents a great opportunity to remind them of why you’re the right person for the job.
Get Some Help Before Your Big Interview
If you’re having some trouble with your resume or could just use a few interview tips, get in touch! We’d love to help you craft the perfect resume and get ready for your interview. Get your free consultation and get your career on track!
And if you’ve already completed your interview, what are you waiting for? Follow up and show them that you’re the right candidate!