The importance of a simple thank you – it may seem nominal, but the more I read about job interview follow ups, the more I understand why it is essential.
There are a lot of people that take time out of their schedules for interviewing purposes: the person that has to filter through the resumes, the person that conducts the phone interviews and the people that conduct the actual interview, and don’t forget the individual that you may have networked with to learn of the open position. The least we can do is say thanks.
Thanking the interview team
The general rule of thumb is to send a thank you note within 24 hours after your interview. The thank you note could be a simple thank you, but it could also be used to reiterate your interest in the company and position, remind the interviewer who you are or mention something that you left out during the interview. A thank you note shows that you are polite and professional, which are two great attributes. If you interviewed with multiple people, send a thank you to each person and personalize each one. The interview isn’t over once you walk out the door; sending a thank you gives you another chance to make a great impression.
Tip: We strongly recommend hand-writing your thank you notes because that approach is more personal. Invest in thank you cards and take them to the interview with you. Once you are finished with the interview, you can write the thank you in your car while the discussion is fresh in your mind.
Also, make sure you personalize the thank you notes. If you interview with multiple people, they are more than likely going to share and compare the notes. Make sure the thank you notes are not identical.
Thanking your network
Each time someone in your network, or a friend or family member, does anything to help with your job search, thank them. It is really important to keep your mentor in the loop because they want to see you succeed. If you landed an interview or job without their direct connections, still thank them for their support. Remember to keep your networks alive.
Thank you note mistakes
Recently, CareerBliss released an infographic on 6 thank you note mistakes.
Remember to keep it simple and professional.
And don’t forget to thank everyone that helped your job search.
