Following up after an interview

One of the biggest mistakes a job seeker can make after a great interview?

Sending a boring, generic, scripted thank you letter. Even worse? Not sending one at all. Employers are assessing you on everything, your resume, your interview skills, and your follow up.

Don’t let something small like a thank you letter stop you from getting your next offer.

Many job seekers skip this step, because they don’t understand the importance of it, or they don’t know what to say, but I’m here to help!

Why Sending a ‘Thank You’ Letter is Crucial

You nailed the interview, but the process isn’t over yet. A well-crafted ‘Thank You’ letter after a job interview can be the deciding factor between you and another candidate.

This letter is your chance to show appreciation, reiterate your interest, and highlight why you’re the perfect fit for the job. Here’s how to do it right.

Personalization is Key

Avoid sending a generic email that you found online. Personalization shows that you’ve taken the time to consider each interviewer’s unique perspective. Here’s how to make it personal:

1. Research your interview panel: if you have the names of who will be interviewing them, looking them up online and getting sense of their background, interests, etc can help you go deeper during the interview (and also make you feel more prepared).

2. Ask for Business Cards: During the interview, request business cards from everyone you meet. This ensures you have the correct spelling of names and email addresses.

3. Write Individual Letters: If you interviewed with multiple people, write a separate letter for each one. Mention specific points from your conversation to demonstrate your attention to detail and genuine interest. It’s important to do this because the interview panel often sits down and accesses all the things a candidate has done in all the interview stages, so sometimes it comes down to a well written thank you letter.

What to Include in Your ‘Thank You’ Letter

Your ‘Thank You’ letter after a job interview should be concise, yet comprehensive. Here’s a breakdown of what to include:

1. Gratitude: Start by thanking the interviewer for their time and the opportunity to discuss the role.

2. Fit for the Role: Reiterate why you’re a great fit for the company. Mention specific skills or experiences that align with the job requirements.

3. Added Value: Highlight what value you can bring to the team. If there was something you forgot to mention during the interview, this is your chance.

4. Personal Touch: Include a personal takeaway from your conversation. This could be a shared interest or a memorable moment from the interview. Take notes so you don’t forget.

Example of a ‘Thank You’ Letter