Post-Interview Thank You Notes

As part of any job search, you should always plan on sending thank you notes after interviews. It shows that you genuinely have an interest in the company and position, and even more importantly it can have an impact on the interviewer’s decision. I often am asked what type of thank you note is the best – via email, typed letter, handwritten, or just a phone call after. The answer really depends on the audience, and those are observations to keep in mind as you are interviewing.

There are different schools of thought on the type of correspondence to use, but personally I like the handwritten thank you note that comes in the mail. The reason is simply that a personalized note written on a card is the only type I seem to remember. I think it has an impact when someone takes the time to write a note on a card and send it, particularly in this day and age when almost everything seems electronic and impersonalized. I have found that most people don’t take the time to do this which is also probably a reason it makes an impression.

That’s not to say that an email or a typed thank you note are not good alternatives also, but you have to take the time to observe the personality of the interviewer in order to determine if these are a good fit. If he/she is extremely business minded, then a typed letter is probably better. If it seems like his/her desk is weighed down by paperwork from 6 months ago, a note via mail may just be added to the pile. An email may work better in this case. If the decision on the job will be made in a relatively short amount of time, snail mail may not make it before that choice is made. An email right after the interview would probably be the best option. And some interviewers prefer a phone call. If he/she seems to not be a fan of email, smart phones, or technology in general, a voice mail would be advisable.

Regardless of which method you use, it is important to make sure a thank you note is part of your interview process. It can make all the difference by keeping you at the forefront of the interviewer’s mind when it comes time to make the choice on who is hired.