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68% of recruiters or hiring managers have said that a candidate writing a thank-you email after an interview DOES matter when they are considering who to move forward with.
Surprisingly, for something as important and easy to check off, many candidates forget to do it. Make sure to add this step to your job-hunting checklist!
Not sure where to start when writing a thank you email? We’ve got you covered below!
An Effective Thank-You Note is as Easy as 1, 2, 3
If you’ve ever suffered from thank-you-note writer’s block, don’t despair. A successful note is rarely more than a few lines long. In fact, once you get the hang of the structural formula that underlies an effective note, you’ll be able to crank them out with no trouble at all. Here’s the simple three-step process that most experts recommend
1. Offer Thanks…with a Personal Twist
After a standard business salutation (“Ms. Smith,” “Mr. Jones,” etc.), the first line of your thank-you note should extend your thanks for their time and consideration, conveying that you deeply appreciated having the opportunity to meet in person and discuss the position.
To further demonstrate your sincerity, try to add an observation that gives a bit of personal dimension in the next line, such as, “I really enjoyed our discussion of the future of the fine dining market.”
2. Remind Them Why You’re Right For the Job
You want to strike just the right balance between humility and self-promotion, or else the impression your thank-you note reinforces may not be an entirely positive one.
Set the resume-speak aside for now and opt for a subtler approach, such as: “I would be honored to be able to put my decade of experience to use as your hotel’s night auditor.”
3. Seal the Deal With More Thanks
Believe it or not, the right way to close your note is with another round of thanks. Don’t repeat the same wording you used before, if possible — swap “appreciate” for “thankful” “grateful,” or another similar term.
The last lines should express your eagerness to be in touch, and bow out with a professional closing sentiment, such as “Sincerely” or “Kind regards.”
Remember, even if you walked away from the interview not wanting the job, or not feeling confident, send a thank-you note anyways! You never know when you’ll run into that person at another company and you’ll have made a great first impression if you do!