A job seeker was among five finalists for a highly desirable job. Of the five, she was the only one that sent a thank you note following the interview. She got the job.  (Source: The Art of Saying Thank You by Connie Leas)

It seems like a no-brainer to craft a meaningful expression of appreciation for the time and energy someone invested in you.  But the truth is, as many employers will attest, receiving thank-you notes is more rare than you might think. Although I cannot guarantee every note of thanks you send will yield a reward like the one this job candidate received, I can confidently say that an expression of thanks rarely goes unnoticed. “They’re a counterbalance to the inevitable complaints...,” says Dr. Karl Singer who saves expressions of thanks in a special file.  He is not alone.

Thoughtfulness, good manners, and classiness never go out of style and you display these characteristics every time you pause to make others feel appreciated.

Writing a thank-you letter following a job interview gives you another chance to market yourself, make a positive impression on the interviewer, and keep your name if front of decision-makers. Your letter (typed or hand-written) should be sincere and warm, as well as businesslike. Several of the points Connie Leas mentions in her book about the note’s content and how/when to send it include:

• Highlight enthusiasm for the company and your fitness for the job; briefly restate your qualifications
• Make statements of appreciation for the interview/company/job and what you liked about each
• Address any questions or issues that were not fully answered during the interview
• Include a statement that anticipates the next step in the process
• Send your note to the primary contact person and decision-maker; consider sending a different note to everyone that interviewed you
• Make sure the note is error-free
• Send thank you notes immediately; the day after is best
• Use your judgment as to which form (handwritten note, typed letter, e-mail) of communication will make the best impression

There are lots of thank you note examples you can refer to when constructing your own.  Never, however, copy one of them and use as your own.  To see a sample, CLICK HERE!