You’ve aced the interview, but you aren’t quite done yet. Here’s some helpful tips on how to properly close the interview by saying thank you with a card or note:
1. Addresses interviewer(s) by name and spell those name(s) correctly.
2. Choose an appropriate Thank You card design. Keep in mind that this card is an extension of you and how you’re presenting yourself, so choose wisely.
3. Write neatly and clearly. Use a legible color.
4. Plan what you’re going to say.
5. Reference the conversation you had without summarizing. Add to the depth of the main points or expand on an important issue. Pose questions when appropriate.
6. Reflect on additional useful qualities that you possess as well as reinforcing ones you’ve mentioned.
7. Focus on how you can and will improve the company upon your employment there. Give concrete examples and use your previous employment to support your claim.
8. Realize that they might have talked to dozens of people that day. Remind the interviewer(s) of who you are.
9. Realize that you might not have been the best candidate they spoke to—demonstrate to them why you truly are worth noticing so you don’t get dismissed.
10. Send it in a timely manner. A late Thank You note is not going to help support how you “take initiative.”
11. Don’t follow-up immediately after your Thank You note. There are exceptions, but generally this is unnecessary and looks desperate.
Always sent a thank you email, but a physical card is next level.
I thought “Thank you” cards post interviews were very old-school, and no longer something one needs to do.
Is it just my thinking, but aren’t most thank you cards after interviews sent by women now?
Regardless of your gender, ALWAYS send a hand-written thank you card! Aside from the post interview email you send, the physical card puts your name in front of the person again and shows you took the time to pick the card out, write it, and send it in a timely fashion. I do think, however, that the items to include in your thank your card that are mentioned in this blog might be a bit extensive and would be better left to include in your thank you email. I usually prefer to keep the hand-written thank you card brief.
I’ll be sharing this with my daughter who recently graduated college. I gave her this advice and she didn’t believe me! Handwritten thank you cards seem to be so rare these days they are guaranteed to make an impression
The biggest mistake is NOT sending a card. The recognition post interview really makes you stand out.
A must! When I interview people I always pay attention to who sends a thank you.
I think this lets the company see that you are appreciative of the time taken for your interview and also your interest in the company.
When I first started applying to jobs, I was given this advice as well. A follow up email thanking someone for an interview is pretty common, but sending a beautifully designed card will surely stand out.
The drawback is the speed of snail mail. The larger the company, the longer it will take for the interviewer to actually get that physical thank you card. Its a tough call, as they will probably have made a decision before getting that card and it wouldn’t have helped you either way.
My son Jonathan is keeping this sentiment alive! I personally love to receive them after I interview new prospects!
I think it is nice to send a Thank you card after a job interview. It is a great way to thank them for their time and for giving one the opportunity to be considered for the position. I sent a Thank you card after my last job interview and I got the job!
Regardless of the job or career path, I think it is essential to show appreciation for someone’s time. I never been one to mail a card because I would never know when or if they received it. Addressing it to the appropriate person and delivering it person seems to work for me. Due to the size of the companies I would hand it off to the gate keeper and be on my way.