4 Steps to Write Professional Post-Interview Thank You Letters

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Hand writing with pen The chances are excellent that by now you already know that writing and sending a follow-up thank you letter after a big job interview is a great way to make a solid impression. However, what a lot of people still aren’t sure about is how to make sure theirs is professional, personable, and impressive without being overbearing. Let’s take a closer look at how you can write thank you letters that really shine.

1. Show you paid attention

The thank you letter you send after your job interview is one of your biggest chances to show the company that you understand what it’s looking for. It’s also your big opportunity to remind the potential employer of why you in particular are the right pick for the job.

Personalize your thank you letter to the atmosphere and desires of the company. Did you get the feeling from the interview that this is the sort of establishment where the personal touch would be appreciated? Consider sending a handwritten letter instead of a typewritten one (otherwise typewritten is best). Be sure to thank the interviewer for giving them your time as well.

2. Think of your thank you letter as a way to sell yourself

Restate in brief why you really are excited about the possibility of working for this company and why you think it would be a wonderful opportunity for you when it comes to your own career. This is also a great time to underline all the different assets you think you could bring to the table as an individual, as well as how you plan on putting them to good use for the company. All potential employers want good, hungry people who are excited about bringing their attributes to their personal party.

3. Proofread, proofread, and then proofread again

Nothing can spoil a positive impression you worked really hard to make like silly spelling or grammatical errors in your thank you letter. Such errors always tend to give the impression that the sender doesn’t pay attention to detail. If you couldn’t be bothered to thoroughly proofread the thank you letter you’re sending in order to try to make a good impression, then how can you be expected to handle business e-mails and professional reports once you’re hired?

4. What if you’re not sure what to say?

Sometimes it’s difficult to know exactly what to include as part of your thank you letter. That’s where ready-made thank you note templates can be of an extraordinary help. Search online for templates or sample thank you letters that can help you construct something appropriate. This can take a lot of the guesswork and worry out of the process and let you know you’re doing things right.

Last but not least, make sure you send off your thank you letter (or thank you e-mail) promptly. Time is always of the essence in situations like these, so being prompt and timely will definitely help you to make the impression that you want.

By Marie Larsen