Why You Should Always Send a Thank You After an Interview?

The interview is over. You’ve arrived home, removed the tie, and are ready to kick back for the evening. But the interviewing process isn’t over until you’ve done one last thing – written the thank-you letters. Within 24 hours, you ought to write everyone you met during the interviewing process, including the secretaries. A careless oversight in this part of the process could cost you the job.

The thank-you letter can set you apart from other applicants – it’s deemed a professional response in the business world. Each person who interviewed you gave up their time and gave you greater insight into the current problems being faced by the company, the department, and the incumbent to the job. The thank-you letter should be personalized to each individual from the secretary to the hiring manager. Reiterating some portion of the discussion you had with each person will spark his memory of you and help you stand apart from other applicants in his mind.

It would be best to summarize any problem discussed with the individual and how you have dealt with a similar problem in the past, or outline your proposal for dealing with it when you join the company. Review the heart of the interview and make it clear you are more than a supplicant - you are a problem solver who can do something for the potential employer.

You may even want to submit a revised resume with the letter, now that you clearly know what the employer wants. Tailor the resume to respond to those needs. Edit every bit of it so that every skill and experience is relevant to your qualifications to solve the employer’s problem.

At the very least, remind everyone you met of your interest in the position. When the job really doesn’t attract you, say so in the letter. If that’s the case, or the job opportunity comes to nothing, somebody you thank may recommend you for another position. It doesn’t hurt to ask for suggestions or to keep doors open for other opportunities.

The thank-you letter is a critical follow-up to interviews. It will reiterate your interest in the company and position, further explain your qualifications for the job, and sustain the impression of you as a business professional.