When and How to Say Thank You after an Interview

Over the years I have facilitated a myriad of job searches and conducted countless interviews with hundreds of candidates. This summer is no different as I have been involved in multiple searches for a variety of new positions. As the selection for one position in particular draws to a close, I am in shock that out of 12 candidates interviewed, only 2 sent a thank you note.

These particular offenders are experienced professionals but their lack of interview etiquette has left me baffled. One candidate who did send a thank you did so by email, so as to expedite the process, and the gesture clearly set her apart from the pack. The other delivered a hand written note and this set him above and beyond in a very positive light.

In the age of technology where most professionals have access to computers and the latest smart phone devices, it’s rare to get a hand written thank you note. But when I do get one my heart warms to think that the tradition of hand writing a note is not totally extinct. While I understand that time is of the essence and the postal service could take longer to deliver your fabulously hand written note than it takes for you to get the call for the second interview, I truly hope that you will still consider this lost art when thanking your interview team.

A few thoughts to consider: write a separate message to each person with whom you met; show your enthusiasm and interest for the position in your note, and be sure to remind them about why you are a good fit for the position. A poorly written thank you note can be the kiss of death for a position and counteract your good intentions.

Once I received a thank you text on my iPhone from a candidate moments after he left the interview room while I was waiting for the next person to arrive. Needless to say, this left a very bad impression. Take the time to compose a well thought out message. Thanking someone is an art and should not be expressed with a spontaneous text sent minutes after you finish the interview.

Lastly, it’s possible to go overboard by sending a gift instead of a note. I have been the recipient of flowers, chocolate, and even a fruit basket, all sent by candidates wanting to show their appreciation. Sadly, it sent the opposite message – it looked like brown nosing and made me feel like they were trying to buy the job. So keep it simple, send a note and if it’s hand written you might just make the interviewer’s day!