By Sunny Simon
My client, Meg, walked in the door smiling. She came to my office directly after an interview and the look of pure joy lighting up her face tipped me off the meeting went well. We discussed questions asked and answered and then moved on to how to create a thank you note to the interviewer.
So you aced the interview, what more is there to say in a letter you ask? Writing a letter of gratitude after a job interview is probably more important than most candidates realize. Often during my career in corporate America, I saw well thought-out letters tip the scales when managers tried to decide between two well matched individuals vying for one position.
Not feeling the need yet? Beside writing to make your mother proud of your good manners, if written properly, a thank you note to a perspective employer can position you above the competition and serve as another reminder that you are the ideal person for the job. It is an opportunity to cement a lasting positive impression.
Think about your last job interview. Did you drive away kicking yourself because you forgot to say something that might have dazzled the hiring manager? No worries. Utilize the thank you note as an avenue to offer up a skill you possess that would solve a problem and fill the void in her team’s talent pool. And don’t drag your feet on writing it. Timing is important. Many experts recommend sending a note within 24 hours of the interview.
Be sure to make your letter authentic. The last thing an interviewer wants to read is rote verbiage making it look like you are just writing to check off a box on your to-do list. Begin by thanking the person for his or her time then launch into why this job resonates with you and why you are well matched to the company’s culture. No broad brush stroke, be specific. Drill down on something discussed in the interview.
A few more suggestions. Number one, be brief. This is not a resume review. It is an expression of gratitude and one or two reasons why you enjoyed the interview and why you are qualified. A piece of advice on letter form. Typically an email is the preferred mode in today’s digital environment. If you feel crafting a hand-written note on your special stationery is best, do so, but remember snail mail takes time.
Convinced you should write that letter now? Great! Make it brief, make it interesting and make it count! ! Sunny Simon is the owner of Raise the Bar High Life and Career Coaching. More about Sunny at www.raisethebarhigh.com
