Exactly What to Write in That Post-Interview Thank You Note

How to Write a Thank You Letter After an Interview

We’ve been taught to say thank you from a young age, but when it comes to the job hunt, is there a special way we should be expressing our gratitude post-interview? How does one stand out when there are only so many ways to “thanks?” Personally, I’ve always held a number of uncertainties about what exactly to include in thank notes after an interview. And with internship season arriving fast, I knew that it was important to break down the essentials so that I’m ready to send out my email as quickly as possible when the time comes. So, I enlisted the help of Danielle Melendy, Director of People and Culture at Clique, to share her secrets on adding that touch of “je ne sais quoi” to your next thank you note. Here are five tips to help guide you when writing your own.

Add a Personal Touch

Adding a personal touch to your thank you note is the key to leaving a lasting impression. Referencing something that was discussed during the interview that is not job-related is ideal. Danielle says “throwing in ‘Go Noles’ if we discussed where I went to school and there was a big game” is an example of a great way to do this. As Forbes explains, “Many smart and talented people miss out on goods jobs only because the recruiter or the hiring manager forgets all about them after their interview!” A personal reference will help refresh the interviewer’s memory.

Remind the Interviewer Why You're Interested 

A good thank you note should mention why you are interested in the job in the first place. Also, make sure to include new details that you learned about the role during the interview. Danielle suggests always bringing a notebook to your interview so that you can easily reference points of discussion in your thank you note. You may even include potential solutions to certain problems that were reviewed during your discussion. Danielle says, “when I interviewed at Clique, our CEO said there was an issue with the office always being too quiet, so I included a link to one my favorite office playlists from Spotify. You could also include a link to a relevant podcast or article that is on a subject you discussed.”

Show Your Appreciation for the Interviewer's Time 

Remember that it may be tough for your interviewer to make time to talk. Danielle says, “I always appreciate when a candidate recognizes that.” So, don’t forget to show your appreciation. Whether it’s at the beginning of your thank you letter or at the end, it will show that you’re aware that they took time out of their day to speak to you.

Keep it in Email Form

Hand-written notes are lovely, but they’re hard to respond to and are not easy to search for reference. That’s why Danielle suggests keeping your interview thank you notes in email form. If you want to go above and beyond, there’s no harm in doing both, but an electronic note is much more timely and convenient for the interviewer.

Don't Wait Long to Send Your Note

Timeliness is key. If you wait too long to send your thank you letter after an interview, the interviewer’s memory of your chat will fade. Danielle says “I usually suggest sending a quick note once you get home from your interview and the context of your conversation is still fresh,” while also emphasizing that there is a 24-hour rule—meaning that your note should be sent within the first 24 hours post-interview.
Below is a sample thank you note that you can use as a building point for the next time you’re in the post-interview phase.
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Hi [Interviewer Name],

Thank you so much for taking the time to meet with me today! It was lovely learning more about the company and the position. The opportunity to join [company name] truly excites me and I would love to be part of the team.

Let me know if there is any additional information I can provide you. I look forward to hearing from you on the next steps!

All the best,

[Your Name]

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What are your tips for writing a thank you letter after an interview? Let us know in the comments below!

Featured photo by @avavay.

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