Whether it’s for a birthday, graduation, or wedding, thank you notes have always been part of the deal. And it’s no different when it comes to interviewing for a new position. Thank you emails and letters are a crucial step of the interviewing process and one that many candidates take too lightly. Not sure where you should start? Kester Search Group is here to help.

Why is a thank you letter so important?

It may seem obvious that a thank you letter reinforces your desire for the position, but it’s also your final chance to “sell yourself” and stand apart from your competitors. Who you send it to, how you word it, and when you send it are crucial steps for setting yourself apart from the other candidates. You never know who else may be interviewing and how your personalized letter could make you the final contender.

Who should I be thanking?

Are you meeting with multiple people for the same position? If so, send each a personalized thank you email. Do not group them all together and do not send each a separate email with the exact same message.

How should I word it?

A personalized thank you note is key when it comes to standing out from your competitors.

Here are a few suggestions to consider:

• Thank the interviewer for their time.
• Restate your interest in the position and why you’re interested in the role.
• Remind them why you are a qualified candidate for their specific position.
• Tie in a topic discussed during the interview to remind the interviewer of your individual conversation.
• Take this time to discuss something you think they should know, yet didn’t get a chance to bring up during the interview.
• Make sure they know the best way to reach you directly in case they have follow up questions.

What’s the perfect timing?

Timing is important! With that being said, how your sense of urgency and that landing this job is a top priority of yours. An email should be sent within 24 hours of the meeting. You won’t know how soon the manager wants to make a decision and it’s important not to miss your window of opportunity.

Which medium do I use? Online or in-person?

If you’re interviewing via phone or video chat, an email will probably work best. When it comes to final interviews, sending a handwritten thank you note adds a personal, unique touch that your interviewer will be sure to remember. Here’s a tip – have your thank you note prepared to leave at the front desk or to drop in the mail on your way home from the interview, ensuring it will make it to the office in a timely manner.

It’s a competitive market and you will need to do everything you can to set yourself apart from the many other candidates that are likely interviewing for the same position. Candidates won’t get cut for sending a strong thank you email, but poor follow-up or none at all is a sure way to get beat out by your competitors.

Good luck and happy (job) hunting!