An Accountemps survey found that 91% of hiring managers liked being thanked after an interview. Yet, a survey by Robert Half International found that only 24% of candidates send thank-you notes.
Below is an example of a thank-you letter to use after a job interview. If the interviewer appears to be a traditional type of person, you may want to send an email thank you and a formal “snail mail” thank you letter, as seen in the example below. If you send a thank you email, you do not need your name and address at the top of the thank you letter. You also do not need the date, employer name, or address on your note. Instead, start with their name (ex: “Dear Ms. Fedley.”)
Besides the employer’s desire to receive a thank you note, here are other reasons to send a thank you note:
- A thank you note conveys your appreciation for their time and consideration for the job.
- If you realize you didn’t tell the employer about a particular experience or didn’t answer a question well after the interview, you can convey this in your thank you letter. Just be brief.
- You can remind the employer about how you can meet their needs.
- This is a big one. A well-written thank you letter helps the employer remember you and can help you stand out from other candidates.
Here are the keys to writing a thank you note that helps you to stand out from others:
1. Use a Template
You can base your thank you letter on this downloadable template, customizing it as needed.
2. Use ChatGPT
You can use the free version of ChatGPT to draft a thank-you note. You can customize the following prompt on ChatGPT:
“Following my interview this morning for the [job title] position, I am excited about the job. Please compose a professional thank-you email to the interviewer [ Mr or Mrs/Ms + last ] name]. The interview occurred on [date] at [time]. Communicate gratitude, emphasize my admiration for the team and company culture, and convey my confidence in excelling in the role. Reaffirm relevant experience or qualifications [such as relevant skills from your CTF Skills Map™ and any particular experiences or “Prove It” Skill Statements], restate my keen interest, and inquire about the next steps in the process. Additionally, mention our shared affinity for adopted pets.”
While ChatGPT will save you a lot of time, use the results as a first draft. Also, remember that you should always review and customize AI-generated content for accuracy.
3. Send your thank-you note and email within 12 hours.
You should only consider the interview over once you have sent a thank-you note. Have a general thank-you note ready to customize after the interview.
4. Personalize
Share something the employer told you about the organization or job that excites you.
5. Be concise
Typically, a thank you letter should be no more than three paragraphs. Employers are busy, so keeping it brief is good.
6. Proofread
Use Grammerly.com to identify spelling and grammar mistakes. You can also ask a friend or family member to review your thank you letter.
Summary
It is crucial to send a thank you note or email, as this is another reason the employer should hire you! Often, one candidate gets a job offer over another because an applicant sent a thank you letter.