Congratulations! You nailed your job interview. Parts 1-4 of this series did their job—you showed up impeccably dressed, you did your research, you prepared for every contingency, and you asked all the right questions. At the end of the interview you got a firm handshake and a smile, and the interviewer said “We’ll call you.” You walked out of the building into the sunlight and took a deep breath. Life is good.
But then you get home, sit down, and start worrying. When will they call? Was that smile sarcastic? Was my skirt too short? Maybe I should have worn the black tie? These questions and a million more run through your head, and you start to get nervous. Don’t worry—there’s one more thing you can do to ensure you get your dream job! It’s incredibly easy to do, but it’s something a lot of people ignore: send a follow-up note thanking your interviewer for their time.
The logic here is the same as with any thank-you note—it’s not strictly necessary, the payoff for whoever receives it far outweighs the tiny amount of effort it takes for you to write it. What’s more, the entire job search should be about differentiating yourself, from the very first line of your resume to the way you accept an offer of employment. Your resume and cover letter clearly made you stand out enough to get an interview, so why stop there? Make sure they know you’re not just another drone looking for a paycheck. Let them see that you care about the job, about their opinion of you, and about the way you present yourself.
So, how do you write a proper thank-you note? For starters, consider writing it by hand! Handwritten letters are rare enough nowadays that this is sure to catch an interviewer’s eye. After all, this isn’t traditional 21st-century communication, which tends to be fast, focused and detail-oriented. This is a courtesy, a break in the routine, a way to let them know you appreciate the opportunity and are willing to go the extra mile. (If you do this, make sure your handwriting is up to par first! We write with pen and ink so rarely these days that your writing muscles may be rusty.)
It should go without saying that your letter should start with “Dear Mr. So-and-so.” Even if you’ve been communicating with them on a first-name basis, use their proper title here. Once again, this isn’t a standard email. After that, the content is up to you. No matter what you write, it should be brief, polite, and respectful—short enough to fit on a postcard. The interviewer wants to see that you care. They don’t want to read a manifesto. One paragraph is enough.
Finally, put a personal flourish on your signature. “Sincerely, John Doe” is sentimental; “From, John Doe” is bland; “Love, John Doe” is clearly out of the question. Use something that seems appropriate to you and to the job. “Regards” is a good option—professional, courteous and open.
What are you waiting for? Go buy a postcard! Your dream job awaits!