How long should you wait after an interview for a thank you letter?
Consider waiting 24 or 48 hours after a job interview to send the interviewer or hiring manager a thank you letter. If the interview occurred on a Friday, you can send it that day to have it arrive on Monday or Tuesday. If you're unable to send a thank you letter within this period, try to mail or email it as soon as possible. While you want to thank the hiring manager soon after the interview, try to take time to write a thoughtful and accurate message. Write a well-organized letter, reread and edit it for correct grammar, spelling and punctuation. You can include details from your conversation to personalize the letter and show the hiring manager how passionate you are about the opportunity. Related: 4 Sample Thank You Emails for After an InterviewWhy send a thank you letter after an interview?
Job candidates who send thank you letters after interviews may appear polite, enthusiastic about the job and appreciative of the opportunity. Thank you letters can remind the interviewer about you and help you stand out from other candidates. You can also use your letter to highlight your writing and communication skills. They also serve as a means for you to campaign for yourself, so consider highlighting a couple of skills or aspects of your experience that may make you a good fit.Should you send a letter or an email?
While you can send your thank you as either an email or a physical letter, email is a fast and acceptable method. If you've waited more than a day or two, you send it via email so it arrives quickly. You also have more control over an email's arrival than a mailed letter. If you write your letter immediately after the interview, consider mailing a copy to the interviewer. A handwritten letter might impress the hiring manager and can help you stand out over other candidates. The format you choose for your thank you letter also can depend on the hiring company's culture. If it's formal and traditional, you might send a handwritten letter. If it's less formal and all your communications have been through email, you can send an email. Related: How To Write an Interview Thank You Letter (With Template and Example)To whom do you send the thank you letter?
You can send a thank you letter to every person you meet with during the interview process. Try to write a separate and unique letter to each person. You can keep details, such as your enthusiasm for the job, consistent, but change the wording so the team doesn't think you've copied a generic letter. Consider customizing the letters by using the individual's name and title to make it more personal. You can ask for each person's full name and contact information or business card at the end of the interview to ensure it's correct and you include everyone. You might also consider sending thank you letters to people who've helped you throughout the interview process. For example, if an interview goes well, you might send thank you letters to your references or to friends or colleagues who helped you prepare.Should you send a thank you letter after every interview round?
You can send a thank you letter after every interview, even if you're interviewing with the same people over multiple rounds. Any interview, whether in person, on the phone or by virtual meeting, can qualify for a thank you note. Try to send new letters with fresh details to each person you meet. For consistency, you can send thank you letters after follow-up interviews within the same period as you sent your first letter.What email address should you use?
If you choose to send your letter via email, try to use the same address you did on your application and resume to make your message more likely to reach their primary inbox. If you're currently employed, use your personal email account rather than your company account to send a thank you letter. You create a personal account using a reputable email provider and a professional handle. If you recently graduated from college, you might use the .edu address associated with that institution. Consider writing your email on a computer or device other than your smartphone to avoid unintended autocorrections. Emails also may look more professional when written on a computer with a professional endnote, rather than with a "Sent with my smartphone" tag at the end of the message. Related: How To Create a Professional Email Account in 5 StepsWhen should you follow up with the hiring manager?
If you don't hear from the hiring manager within a week or two of sending a thank you letter, you can contact them to ask for an update. The follow-up period often depends on your stage in the interview process. If you've completed the first round, consider following up in five to eight business days. If you're in later rounds, try to give the hiring manager more time to interview other candidates and make decisions. At the end of the interview, you can ask the hiring manager when you can expect to hear from them. Try to wait at least that much time before contacting them. For example, if they say you can expect an update by Monday, consider waiting until Wednesday to reach out. It's important to appear interested and enthusiastic about the job without being too aggressive. Related: Ultimate Guide To Following Up: After Job Application, Interview and No Response [Video + Transcript]What are some thank you letter tips?
When writing a thank you letter after an interview, these tips might help you impress the hiring manager:- Give your letter a professional subject line that includes the words "thank you." For example, "Thank you for the December 15 assistant manager interview."
- Use formal language and read through the letter carefully to ensure grammar and spelling are correct.
- Limit the letter's length to three to six concise paragraphs.
- Include a memorable detail from the interview to help the hiring manager remember you.
- End the email with a formal closing and your full name, such as "Regards, Alicia Thomas."
- Add a signature after your closing that includes your full name, job title or profession and personal phone number.