First a job searcher spends hours writing, rewriting and proofreading a resume and cover letter, ensuring they are tailored to the prospective employers needs. Next he dutifully studies interview questions, rehearsing each answer carefully. The interview goes off well and the job searcher feels confident about his chances.
However, as every interviewee knows, there are usually dozens of other qualified candidates who feel just as confident about their own chances. In order to keep the applicant's name in front of the employer and reinforce what he can bring to the company, an additional step is needed.
Often the best route is simply to reconnect with the hiring committee. Names, faces and credentials can become jumbled after a series of interviews. A quick reminder is in order, and the best way to do that is through a post-interview thank you letter.
Thank You Letter Format
The first thing to remember is that a post-interview thank you letter is a formal business letter and it should follow standard letter format. Just about every word processing software comes with templates, and business letter templates are standard issue, so finding one should not be difficult.
Ideally both the cover letter and the thank you letter should have identical formats. If the cover letter had a border and was in Times New Roman font, then so should the thank you letter. Unity of appearance adds to the overall professionalism.
Letter Content
What goes into the thank you letter is fairly straightforward. The job applicant needs to reintroduce himself and what he applied for. It is important to remember that there were dozens, sometimes more, that have applied for the job and standing out in such a crowd can be difficult.
Either in the resume, or during the interview process, it should have been made clear the type of job and company the applicant was seeking Now there is a prime opportunity to compliment the company by stating how it fits the applicant's needs. Additionally, the post-interview thank you letter allows the applicant to restate his own qualifications and how well he will fit the company.
Give the Letter a Personal Touch
During the course of an interview there will often be a lighter moment or two, a shared love of a local sports team, a college in common, or a humorous anecdote. Including a reminder of this moment allows the interview committee to remember the applicant as an individual, not just a list of qualifications.
It has been stated that applying for a job is a lot like dating; in both cases the goal is to get someone to like another in a short span of time. By saying something that is positive, yet slightly informal, the applicant is able to help cement the impressions he hopefully made at the interview itself.
Always take the time to proofread. In addition to using any spell checking software it is important to proofread personally to catch any mistakes that the spell check misses. Having an additional set of eyes checking a finished copy is also a good idea. If the applicant's writing skills are less than perfect a professional service can be helpful.
Finally, a post-interview thank you letter should be sent out as soon as possible. After a few days have gone by the effectiveness of the letter is greatly diminished.
Those who found this article helpful may also enjoy reading Writing Compelling Resume Objectives and Writing a Compelling Resume.
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