Say Thank You After an Interview

Interview Tip: Give Thanks

June 17, 2008

No matter how much you want to bolt for the door after an interview, look your interviewer in the eye, shake hands, and say thank you when you're heading out. Most people immediately notice when manners are amiss and you want to leave a lasting impression of politeness. Take your graciousness one step further and send an individual thank-you note to each person who interviewed you.

An emailed note is sometimes appropriate, but a hand-written note is a bit more memorable. Place the blank cards in your leather-bound portfolio and sit down at the coffee shop down the street to write them just after the interview. When they receive your cards the next day it will be obvious that you thought ahead and are taking the opportunity seriously.

24 Comments

bellaressa 4 years 47 weeks

Tdamji, I usually mail mine.

bellaressa 4 years 47 weeks

Tdamji, I usually mail mine.

tdamji 4 years 47 weeks

oh - i just have a question: after the interview when you go and write your cards do you immediately go back to the interview place and give the card in person to the secretary or the person at the front desk or whatever? I mean, how do you go about delivering the card?

tdamji 4 years 47 weeks

wow! i had no idea that you were supposed to do this - i mean, i've been working at the university (work/study jobs) for years now and they let you know right away if you get the job.Thanks for the tips everyone! I make my own hand-block printed cards, so i should make some thank you ones for when i am applying for jobs soon.

tdamji 4 years 47 weeks

wow! i had no idea that you were supposed to do this - i mean, i've been working at the university (work/study jobs) for years now and they let you know right away if you get the job. Thanks for the tips everyone! I make my own hand-block printed cards, so i should make some thank you ones for when i am applying for jobs soon.

True Song 4 years 47 weeks

As someone who has hired for my company, I can tell you that if I don't get a thank you note, I assume you're not interested in the job. If you spoke to numerous people, you can send multiple notes or just ask the main interviewer to extend your thanks to the others.

bellaressa 4 years 47 weeks

Actually, my current job-I wrote a thank you letter the first phase of the process - detailing why I think I deserved the job, along with tidbits, I also used information from the job description and reinrated information I said to them in the interview. It was less than two and half paragraph. The second interview which was weird they went over the benefits with me but never told me I had the job, this time I sent a card (I sat at Starbucks right after the interview and wrote them out). Telling it was a pleasure. I got a call on Friday – interview was on Wednesday. I did this for the whole six months I was laid off – it is weird even the jobs I didn’t get hired for, I always received a response when I sent a thank you note, card, or even the ones (after the interview I didn’t want –I sent an e-mail instead).

bellaressa 4 years 47 weeks

Actually, my current job-I wrote a thank you letter the first phase of the process - detailing why I think I deserved the job, along with tidbits, I also used information from the job description and reinrated information I said to them in the interview. It was less than two and half paragraph.The second interview which was weird they went over the benefits with me but never told me I had the job, this time I sent a card (I sat at Starbucks right after the interview and wrote them out). Telling it was a pleasure. I got a call on Friday – interview was on Wednesday. I did this for the whole six months I was laid off – it is weird even the jobs I didn’t get hired for, I always received a response when I sent a thank you note, card, or even the ones (after the interview I didn’t want –I sent an e-mail instead).

lawchick 4 years 47 weeks

I always do this the day of/after the interview and also make my husband do it. Unfortunately, it has never helped either of us land the job! I was offered my current job pretty much on the spot, so I didn't even have time to write a thank-you!

cubadog 4 years 48 weeks

I have always sent handwritten Thank You's. I have actually had people compliment me on my choice in Thank you notecards. I have always brought a selection of that way you can pick one that is catered to interviewer.

bellaressa 4 years 48 weeks

Going the extra step also helps if you didn't get the job people are more open to give you pointers and advice.

shanimalcracker 4 years 48 weeks

Bellaressa, I do that too! I always make sure I include bits of information that I learned about them and the company from the interview. This is also, of course, great for cards after people write you letters of recommendation. Going the extra step might not get you what you want, but it shows that you are a gracious person.

POPSUGAR Smart Living 4 years 48 weeks

bellaressa- That's a great point to personalize each note! I've always tried to incorporate something from the interview because it gives the letter something special. For example, if they recommended a book or website during the interview include one of your recommendations in your thank you note.

POPSUGAR Smart Living 4 years 48 weeks

bellaressa-That's a great point to personalize each note! I've always tried to incorporate something from the interview because it gives the letter something special. For example, if they recommended a book or website during the interview include one of your recommendations in your thank you note.

bellaressa 4 years 48 weeks

graduatedsqueaks, in the cases that I interviewed with different people, I have sent each a TY card. I usually try to remember something unique they told me: whether they are getting married, due for an annivers at the job and I add those tidbits to the card of that individual. I always have people opening up and giving me information.

MollyKat25 4 years 48 weeks

Good to know! I have an interview tomorrow morning. I guess I'll have to stop and get some thank you cards afterwards.

SkinnyMarie 4 years 48 weeks

I just interviewed (and got a call before I they had received the thank you) and I think its really about getting in a few things you may have missed, or to reinforce some issues. I tend to not send cards anymore, I send a letter. It fits better in a file and seems more professional.

sweetpeabrina 4 years 48 weeks

I've been doing a lot of interviews lately and have gotten the gamut of thank you notes. I've gotten actual letters as well as emails. I thought it was really nice because this is the first year that I've actually got thank you notes.

sweetpeabrina 4 years 48 weeks

MindayH 4 years 48 weeks

But make sure it is RIGHT AFTER the interview. Since most managers will have made a decision about you by the time snail mail arrives - and this will only help if it is between you and another candidate. As a recruiter, I talk to lot's of managers who say that it makes them feel bad when they let someone know they won't work out and the next day receive a thank you card, but it is already too late!

graduatedsqueaks 4 years 48 weeks

I was wondering about this today. I was thinking of posting the question on my blog and collecting the responses...but this is much easier! I just got into interviewing again, and I was wondering about what all the "Thank You Note" rules are...for example, if you talk with many people in one day, do you send each of them a card? And if you only participate in a phone interview, should you find a way to send those people cards, too? And if you were only sending emails, is it even worse to send a physical thank you note later than to not send one at all? So many questions...

bellaressa 4 years 48 weeks

So, true. I say pick out cards that show some personality. Not just the boring standard ones. I would go to a stantionary store.

bellaressa 4 years 48 weeks

So, true. I say pick out cards that show some personality. Not just the boring standard ones. I would go to a stantionary store.