Home » Career Resources » Career Articles and Guides » The Job Interview » The Thank You Letter
The Thank You Letter
The interview went well, but don’t forget the follow up! Some tips on writing thank you letters that show you are courteous, professional and well-suited for the job.
The job interview went well and now the ball is entirely in the employer's court; all that is left for you to do is to sit back and wait for their decision. Right? Wrong. You still have an important opportunity to communicate with the employer and up your chances of staying clearly on the radar screen and ultimately securing the job of your dreams through a timely and well-written thank you letter.
The thank you letter is a welcome and necessary follow-up to any job interview and should be sent out immediately following the interview, within one or two days if possible, while the interview is fresh in your mind and you are still fresh in the employer's mind. Don't worry if after reading this article you realize that your thank you letter is now late. Better a mildly delayed one than no thank you letter at all.
If you have interviewed with several people, make sure you send one to each of the interviewers. Make sure to get the correct spelling of their names and their correct titles and addresses either from their business cards if they handed them out or by way of a simple phone call to the company.
Beside making you more memorable to the employer and separating you from the fray of candidates who didn't have the thoughtfulness to follow up, the thank you letter can be used to demonstrate energy and perseverence, sell yourself all over again, rectify any sins of omission as well as to clear up any misconceptions that may have occurred during the interview. Follow these basic guidelines in building your thank you letter:
- Thank the employer sincerely for his/her time during the interview and say that it was a pleasure to meet with him/her. Everyone prefers a courteous employee and beside showing good manners, civility and business etiquette, the gesture will increase your professionalism ratings with the employer and with those your chances of landing the job.
- Mention the exact position you interviewed for and the date of the interview to avoid any confusion.
- Mention something specific you learned during the interview or a key conversation point to indicate you were fully attentive and in accord with the interviewer.
- Reiterate your enthusiasm for the position and the company and sum up your skills and points of strength as they directly relate to the demands of the position. Mention any past experience, achievements and accomplishments that are directly relevant to your ability to contribute and excel in this job. Bring to the fore any skills or accomplishments that you may not have had the opportunity to present during the interview but which you believe support your application and directly impact your chances of securing the job.
- Clear up any suspected misunderstandings that may have occurred during the interview but do NOT elaborate on weaknesses. If you think the employer may have misconstrued something you said, here is the time to rectify the matter. However, key errors, blunders or weaknesses highlighted in the interview should not be revisited in the thank you letter as that will only magnify them. If you arrived very late, arrived with baby in tow or did a superb job of highlighting all your weaknesses during the interview resist the temptation to revisit these issues and concentrate instead communicating your points of strength and how you can be a welcome and productive addition to the team.
- Keep the letter brief, crisp and professional and avoid exaggeration, sentimentality, overfamiliarity and excessive enthusiasm. Check for typos, grammar mistakes and any glaring factual errors as a bad thank you letter may prove worse than no thank-you letter at all.
- If you would like to really impress the interviewer, send along with your thank you letter a compelling news article or other addendum that relates to something specific you discussed during the interview and analyses or illustrates in an interesting way the most cutting edge events in the industry, company and/or competitive landscape.
With any luck your thank-you letter will highlight just the right information that the employer needed to cement his case for hiring you and your next contact with him/her will be to discuss your offer letter and negotiate the terms.
This article and all other intellectual property on Bayt.com is the property of Bayt.com. Reproduction of this article in any form is only permissible with written permission from Bayt.com.
Related Articles
- Job Interview Q and A
- Published in Career Center - The Interview Some sample job interview questions and answers.
- Job Interview Tips
- Published in Career Center - The Interview Interview skills are learnt. Do your pre-interview homework, learn what questions you can anticipate and how best to answer them. Practice and preparation are key for a successful interview.
- How to Avoid Interview Stress
- Published in Career Center - The Interview Do you experience severe interview stress? This article is for you.
- The Informational Interview: A Key Networking Event
- Published in Career Center - The Interview The "informational interview" is an invaluable resource and a welcome addition to any job seeker's toolkit.
- Job Interview Tips for Interviewers
- Published in Career Center - The Interview Companies are in constant search for high-caliber, well grounded prospective candidates. Chasing competent and trustworthy talent has become an urge in today’s highly competitive job market. As a matter of fact, a recent study from Harvard University has recently reported that 80% of employee turnover is attributed to mistakes made during the hiring process, that is employing the wrong people to the wrong positions.
Reader Comments
اشكر المسؤلين والقائمين على هذا العمل لانهم اعطونى بصيص من الامل فى ايجاد وظيفة مناسبة واتمنى ان يكون ان شاء اللة فرصة حقيقية جادة ان شاء اللة
Sun 08-Mar-2009 03:48 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
الى كل القائمين على هذا الموقع جزيل الشكر
Sat 17-Jan-2009 19:58 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
Thank you very much my favorite website Bayt.com With my best wishes
Wed 14-Jan-2009 21:56 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
الى كل القائمين على هدا البرنامج الشكر الجزيل و كل الاحترام على هدا المجهود الجبار
Sat 27-Dec-2008 08:31 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
لا يسعني في هذا المقام الا ان أشكر لكم تعاونكم وحرصكم على الاعضاء في موقعكم هذا المحترم وأسأل الله الكريم أن لا يحرمكم الأجر في الدنيا والاخره
Thu 11-Dec-2008 12:03 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
أشكر لكم مجهوداتكم بالموقع وارشاداتكم والله يوفقكم لما فيه الخير للجميع
Sat 06-Dec-2008 11:08 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
اشكركم جزيل الشكر والله يوفقكم يارب
Thu 27-Nov-2008 01:20 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
نشكركم على الجهود المبذولة في الموقع
Wed 19-Nov-2008 06:48 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
Thanks a millions... it was more than perfect.
Sat 15-Nov-2008 06:13 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
Very good article, when a candidate follows-up with HR following z interview, it sounds that he's willing to join the organization and has a high level of communication. On the other hand, if it is repeated, it would make a negative impact. My advice, it shall follow the interview, and to be once only. Good luck for all to find ur dream job Tarek Farouk, Human Resources Manager, Egypt
Fri 14-Nov-2008 18:09 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
جعلكم الله عوناً فى حل مشكلة عدم توفر العمل لدى جميع شباب العرب وأعجز ان اقول اى كلمة شكر غير وفقكم الله
Mon 10-Nov-2008 13:54 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
I must confess I never heard of the follow-up of an interview with a 'thank you' letter neither have I practiced it. All the same it is a welcome idea which makes one professional and mature. Now that you have given me this wonderful secret of interview success I will begin to practicalize it. Joseph Efoghor
Sat 08-Nov-2008 14:22 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
The concept of Thank you letter is very good and practised in USA/Europe, etc. Very rarely in India or Pakistan.I would suggest that that one or two sample letters should be part of the Article/Guidelines for candidates who appeared in the interview.By and large it's helpful KHALID OMAR
Sat 08-Nov-2008 13:45 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
اشكر المسؤلين والقائمين على هذا العمل لانهم اعطونى بصيص من الامل فى ايجاد وظيفة مناسبة واتمنى ان يكون ان شاء اللة فرصة حقيقية جادة ان شاء اللة
Tue 21-Oct-2008 09:25 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
شكرا لكم على إعطائكم الأمل للباحثين عن الأستقرار والطموح وأتمنى التوفيق دائما للجميع
Mon 13-Oct-2008 09:08 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
thanks bayt for sharing this with us.
Wed 08-Oct-2008 19:58 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
لا يسعنا أمام هذه التوجيهات إلا الشهادة بأن بيت كوم هو بيتنا, حريص على إعطائنا أفضل مايمكن أن يضعنا على الجادة الصحيحة شكرا لكم الشكر الجزيل وزادكم الله توفيقا.
Fri 03-Oct-2008 14:31 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
I just interviewed someone last month who went stoen cold after the interview - no thank you, no phone call, nothing. Needless to say I wont be hiring him. Employers want enthusiastic interested polite people as this article rightly states. Thank you bayt for everything.
Mon 29-Sep-2008 08:44 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
شكرا لمسؤول الموقع بيت كوم والقائمين على الوقت والجهد واعطاء النصائح المفيده واتمنى لكم المزيد من النجاح والعطاء والاستمرار وذلك لاتاحه فرص للعمل
Wed 24-Sep-2008 17:18 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
اشكركم على هذا المجهود الكبير الذى قمتمبة من اجلى
Tue 23-Sep-2008 22:49 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
thankyou for this job site........job well done for all the articles in here God Speed
Sat 20-Sep-2008 20:15 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
thank you
Sat 20-Sep-2008 12:31 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
thank a aot for this best web
Sun 14-Sep-2008 16:22 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
FRANKLY i'M JUST A NEW USER OF THIS SITE, BUT IT SEEMS,JUST FROM MY FIRST GLANCE ON IT,THAT IT DESERVES GREAT THANKS. I PLEAD YOU TO GO ON.SPECIAL THANK GOES TO THE TEAM.
Sun 07-Sep-2008 00:29 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
شكراً على موقعكم الرائع وجعل الله ذلك فى ميزان حسناتكم وأتمنى لكم التوفيق عبد اللطيف طه محمد أحمد
Sat 23-Aug-2008 17:54 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
لا أجد سوى ان اقول لكم جزاكم الله عنا خيرآ,,,لان العمل الذي تقومون به انما هو عمل نبيل لتوفرو على النلس العناه في البحث عن الوظايف
Sat 16-Aug-2008 16:58 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
Iam really dont know how can I thank you for all data that you give it to us , bayt is the most interesting and popular site for job seekers , Thanks alot Bayt team.
Mon 21-Jul-2008 03:26 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
Thanks Bayt , i'm very pleased cus i'm member of your job seekers all over the world , you are the best site in the world please continue we need you badly.
Tue 15-Jul-2008 05:50 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
first of all thnx bayt for this amazing tips forum what i really wanna say here that i noticed that many ppl just write and i quote here thnx ...amazing...this is exactly what we need any way i know that Bayt staff will be pleased by that but i think they will be more pleased if we discuss some point or add something we think they miss or at least emphasis some point that they mention
Tue 08-Jul-2008 14:19 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
IT IS GREAT, JOB SEEKERS REALLY NEED THESE TYPE OF TIPS TO INCREASE THERE PERSONALITY.
Mon 23-Jun-2008 15:29 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
IT IS GREAT, JOB SEEKERS REALLY NEED THESE TYPE OF TIPS TO INCREASE THERE PERSONALITY.
Mon 23-Jun-2008 15:28 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
That was a great advise
Mon 23-Jun-2008 07:03 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
wow thanks alot . really helpful.
Sun 22-Jun-2008 21:55 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
لكم جزيل الشكر والاحترام على الارشادات
Mon 16-Jun-2008 15:51 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
Thank you for this chance,I am very indebted.
Sat 14-Jun-2008 04:03 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
Thank you for giving me a chance to put my cv in your website. Siti Almira
Fri 13-Jun-2008 10:59 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
اتقدم بالشكر الجزيل للكل القائمين على موقع بيت كوم واتمنى لكم مزيدا من التقدم والنجاح .
Tue 10-Jun-2008 20:34 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
أشكر كل القائمين على هذا البرنامج أو الموقع كل الشكر لمسؤول الموقع
Thu 05-Jun-2008 12:19 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
This is really very informative. The Pints mentioned in this article are useful for me, appreciated. Thanks Bayt Team. Gulrez Raza Khan - Kuwait 01-June-2008
Sun 01-Jun-2008 10:25 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
thanks for all
Fri 30-May-2008 23:11 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
شكراااا
Wed 28-May-2008 18:47 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
Thanks a lot Rana Muhammad asif
Sun 25-May-2008 13:47 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
Thankyou very much Bayt.com for enlightening me.
Sun 25-May-2008 08:51 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
الى كل القائمين على هدا البرنامج الشكر الجزيل و كل الاحترام على هدا المجهود الجبار )عضو جديد لديكم ربيع عرفي
Wed 21-May-2008 22:38 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
الى كل القائمين على هدا البرنامج الشكر الجزيل و كل الاحترام على هدا المجهود الجبار )عضو جديد لديكم ربيع عرفي
Wed 21-May-2008 21:52 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
I would like to thank the administrator of Bayt.com for giving us the chance to improve our skills & to get better positions
Sat 17-May-2008 07:48 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
Great
Thu 15-May-2008 15:31 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
استمتعت بقراءة هذا الموضوع و بدون شك سأقوم بتطبيقه بعد المقابلة القادمة بإذن الله. أتمنى لكم دوام التوفيق و النجاح و التميز دائما ً. و شكرا
Tue 13-May-2008 13:34 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
وسيلة ممتازة لازالة أي رتوش عن الصورة المرسومة للمتقدم على وظيفة ما، وأراها الأفضل لاثبات الجديّة في طلب الوظيفة وأيضاً في متابعة قرار مسئولي التوظيف هناك وتذكيرهم بك، دون أن يمس ذلك من قيمة المتقدم أو أن تظهر وكأنها استعطاف مقابل تفواض ممكن على حوافز الوظيفة المتقدّم عليها وقد يكون ذاك التفاوض مجحف بعض الشيء بحق طالب الوظيفة. تحيتي
Sun 11-May-2008 12:25 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
اشكركم واتمن لكم التوفيق واعز الله لكم عملكم بالتوفيق.
Wed 07-May-2008 20:42 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
This was material that I had never heard of from anybody else before, that is a Thank You letter after the intervew. The follow up seems to be a good means of opening up positive possibilities. Further the article does give genuine tips to prospective candidates and help understand the employer's perspective. Good job!! regards sai
Tue 06-May-2008 06:09 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
this will be good to cover the people with so many weaknesses, if you are good enough and believe in your self you will needn't any supporting thanks ,, the employer will die to get you in their staff
Mon 05-May-2008 22:11 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
It is great ! Thanks for your advice.
Mon 05-May-2008 14:16 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
It is a good way
Sun 04-May-2008 10:40 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
شكرا فعلا أضفت شيء إلى معلومات
Mon 28-Apr-2008 19:32 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
لكم جزيل الشكر والاحترام على الارشادات انا عظو جديد وشكرا لكم
Thu 24-Apr-2008 01:21 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
لكم جزيل الشكر والاحترام على الارشادات انا عظو جديد
Thu 24-Apr-2008 01:19 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
اقدر لكم تعاونكم وجهدكم واتمنى لمؤسستكم دوام التقدم والنجاح اخوكم بالله قسيم ابنيان
Mon 21-Apr-2008 04:53 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
اشكرلكم تعاونكم الرائع ,, وكرمكم اللامحدود ونتمنى لكم المزيد من الرخاء والاستمرار في التميز والريادة
Sat 19-Apr-2008 16:31 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
اشكر كل القائمين في بيت كوم
Thu 17-Apr-2008 05:11 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
كل التحيه لكم على بذل قصارى جهودكم لهذه الفرص كل التقدير لكم جميعاا
Sat 05-Apr-2008 16:39 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
لكم كل الشكر والإحترام على الوقت والجهد الذي بذلتموه
Thu 27-Mar-2008 07:20 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
لكم كل الشكر والإحترام على الوقت والجهد الذي بذلتموه خالد اليوسف
Tue 25-Mar-2008 19:39 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
ان هذة النصائح بحق هى مفاتيح النجاح فى الحياة العمليه والحياتيه-شكرا لاسرة بيت على هذا الامتياز
Wed 19-Mar-2008 21:42 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
Adel : that is good advices thank you
Sat 15-Mar-2008 14:58 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
شكراً جزيلاً على هذه النصائح الثمينة
Tue 04-Mar-2008 11:05 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
THANKS ALOT HOPE THE PROGRESS KEEPS ON GOING THANKS ALOT
Tue 26-Feb-2008 14:25 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
شكرا جزيلا
Sun 24-Feb-2008 16:11 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
its really a civilized action to send such letter but may be it will be understood in a wrong way, any how thanks for your advices which is very useful to me
Mon 11-Feb-2008 11:30 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
never thought of it, thank u sooo much i had an interview on Sat. 2moro i'm gonna sent the "thank u letter"
Tue 05-Feb-2008 17:54 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
Great thought...and taken well note of this.
Sat 02-Feb-2008 14:12 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
شكرا
Sun 27-Jan-2008 18:52 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
إشكر مسؤول التوظيف بكل صدق على وقته أو وقتها خلال المقابلة و أخبرهم بأنك قد تشرفت بمعرفتهم. جميع الناس يفضلون الموظف محترم. إلى جانب الآداب الحميدة و السلوك المتحضر و آداب المعاشرة العملية ستزيد
Sat 05-Jan-2008 15:16 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
That is the best advise ;)
Sat 15-Dec-2007 01:30 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
Spot on.....thank you
Mon 26-Nov-2007 00:04 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
thank you
Sat 20-Oct-2007 21:14 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
Please login to post a comment.
