Benefits of a Thank You Letter
A thank you letter is that important after an interview? Well, despite the efficacy of the many shortcuts digital technology has offered the recruiting process, good manners are still appreciated.
Therefore, recruiters are impressed by anyone who takes the moment to say Thank You for taking the time to interview a candidate and share insight about the position and company. It is from this opportunity that an applicant can make an informed decision about their suitability and continued interest in a position.
Thank you for taking the time
Back in the day, thank you notes were primarily used to acknowledge personal kindness, gifts and hospitality, and usually handwritten to convey a sense of intimacy.
Fast forward to present times and gratitude for professional thoughtfulness is generally extended in a typewritten letter, which while appreciative is business-like.
Many job seekers go to extraordinary lengths to perfect a top-notch résumé and cover letter, prepare for an interview with diligence, and then miss the mark by not thanking each person they met for their time and consideration.
In fact, many candidates never receive offers due to the lack of a simple thank you. It’s unfortunate that such an important tool is ignored by more than 70% of job seekers.
It’s not just that they demonstrated poor etiquette but rather, and more importantly, that they did not remind the interviewers of the highlights of their discussions and reiterate their suitability for the position. So, think of the thank you note as the final step in keeping your name in front of the recruiter.
After all, several days later the recruiter will have seen many well- qualified applicants, but the one who makes the lasting impression by sending a memorable thank you note stands a better than even chance of being made an offer.
You don’t need to write a thesis.
You don’t need to write a thesis. Instead, you should reiterate the most important topics touched upon during the interview and draw parallels to your related experience and accomplishment. Moreover, it is your one opportunity to remind the reader of any personal anecdotes you shared in common that may have come up in conversation.
Perhaps you had the same professor, were inducted in the same fraternity or sorority, played for the same team, fought in the same military service unit, or even share the same passion for music or a sport. Whatever you can use to re-invoke the bond you formed during an interview can work to your advantage.
This can be accomplished in a two- or three-paragraph letter to the primary interviewer, whereas a three- or four-line thank you note can be sent to those individuals you only met briefly.
Successful resumes are passed along to a recruiter
Remember, the résumé is first subjected to scrutiny by an inhuman computer algorithm searching for key words. The successful résumés are then passed along to a recruiter who makes the impersonal decision to interview the most likely applicants.
But, the thank you letter is a personal projection of your thoughtful consideration and is read by a human being who values being appreciated. And by sending a simple, sincere note of gratitude you have bestowed a feeling of elation to the person who can reward you with a job offer.
Now that’s not hyperbole, it’s fact. Over 80% of HR recruiters and hiring managers when asked, unequivocally stated that, all things being equal, post-interview follow-through in the form of a thank you had significant impact on their final decision.
Consider this: How many of us have been persuaded to make a positive purchasing decision by a glowing online review or recommendation from a friend? In many respects, the thank you note is your review of the interview to further induce the recruiter to select you for the position