Forum - Ask the Hiring Manager
QUESTION:
Hi Brian,
I just discovered your page and I love it. I have a question about thank you notes to send after an interview. What should they say? Could you give me an example?
Thank you very much.
From: Darlene Khan
ANSWER FROM BRIAN KRUEGER:
Hi Darlene -
Use the following simple format for a thank you note:
- Thanks
- I'm Qualified
- I'm Interested
- Next Step
Following is an example:
Thank you for your time in meeting with me today. I truly appreciate your taking the time to give me a greater understanding of your company and my role within your company.
I believe that I am the right person for this position. The combination of my solid educational experience and work experience will provide the foundation for becoming an immediate contributor. There are likely others with similar backgrounds that you may be considering for the position. But there is more to me than what you see on paper in my resume. I believe my personal commitment to outstanding performance is what makes me the very best person for this position. I am committed to a full 100% effort in everything that I do. I will provide you and your company with that same level of effort.
I am interested in working with you and your company. I will contact you early next week to answer any additional questions you may have and to discuss the next step. Please feel free to contact me in advance if you have any further questions.
I look forward to working with you.
Sincerely,
One important note: Please make every effort to personalize your letter to the individual. If possible, modify the opening paragraph to mention something that this person did for you individually. Additionally, do NOT use the same wording or even the same concepts for the middle paragraphs. Most thank you notes end up being collected back in a central location--in your applicant file. If all you did was modify the name and title, it will be noticed--negatively so. Finally, don't copy the above verbatim. Use it only as a structure for developing your own personalized note. Keep it personal, yet professional. And most of all, make sure it is written ASAP after the interview, while final decisions are still being formulated. One week later will have little impact.
I hope the above information will be helpful to you!
Author of College Grad Job Hunter
Do you have a question that you would like to have answered here in this forum? Send your question direct to Brian Krueger.
All job search information at this forum is provided by Brian Krueger, author of the book College Grad Job Hunter, the definitive guide for college grad job search. Used by permission of the author.
