You’ve probably heard countless times it’s a good idea to send a thank-you after an interview, but must have wondered if it really makes a difference.

Although your chances of getting a job probably don’t depend on whether you send a thank-you note, sometimes, it can have an impact. Even if it makes a difference once out of every 15 job interviews, why risk it? Even if you don’t get the job, a thank you note could lead to a call back down the road.

Simply put, thank-you notes are an essential part of any job search. You might be concerned they make you seem appear desperate, but rest assured, there aren’t many hiring managers who will see it that way. Those who see a thank-you note as a sign of desperation probably aren’t the best judge of character and you don’t want to work with these people.

Reasons to send a thank you note

To start with, it’s courteous: The interviewer was essentially your host and it’s always good manners to thank your host!

In addition to being polite, sending a thank-you note also tells the company you really want the position and are willing to do all the ‘right things’ to get it. Hopefully, your note will let you stand out from the competition.

Interacting with your interviewer one more time also provides the chance to bring up anything you forgot to say or reinforce something positive you want the hiring manager to remember about you.

Keys to writing a good thank-you note

Be sure to send a thank-you note right after your interview. Don’t wait more than a day to follow up. It is acceptable to use email, and in fact, that might be a more sensible choice than snail mail, which can get lost or delayed. If you met with multiple people at an organization, thank each one in writing.

Keep your note short and adhere to the usual protocol for a professional email, which includes the use of a formal title before a person’s last name.

The first thing to do in your letter is thank the interviewer. Mention the date you were interviewed and reiterate your interest in the position. Don’t worry about sounding too forward or desperate. If there was something you wanted address but didn’t, bring it up in the letter. Also, mention something you want them to remember about you, including any outstanding qualifications you might have.

Before clicking ‘send,’ carefully review your email. Check for typos, misspellings and grammatical mistakes, which can make you appear sloppy. If possible, have someone else review it too.

Find a job today!

At ZDA, we help job seekers with their process and connect them to best-fit opportunities with our clients. Please contact our Chicago supply chain recruiters today to find out how we can help your career.

supply-chain-recruiters