When you go for a job interview, you compete against equally qualified candidates. You will need to be a notch above the rest. Recruiting industry experts say that a job interview isn’t over when you leave the room.
In a job search, timing is everything. Your behavior after your job interview makes as much of an impression as the actual interview. After the interview, you should create a meaningful relationship with the recruiter by sending a note of thanks.
You can send a thank you email, a handwritten note, or even a telephone message. Most candidates are unaware of this etiquette. They simply do not bother to follow up with the recruiter, or if they do, their thank you notes are not up to par.
Thank You: Golden Words
According to HR managers, an email is the most appropriate method for a potential candidate to thank an interviewer. More than two-thirds of interviewers said it helps to receive a thank you message after an interview. So much so that this can impact the recruiter’s decision about hiring the candidate.
Even if you have had a telephone interview, reach out to the recruiter to thank them for their time. A well-written thank you email could tilt the balance in your favor. What about if you were interviewed not by one person but by a hiring panel? You do not need to send separate thank-you notes to every panel member. However, make sure to send all the members a copy of the thank you email.
Be Prompt
Sending a thank-you email promptly after your interview is considered good business practice. If you are unable to do so immediately, make sure that the email goes out within the first twenty-four hours.
Also Read: Preparing for a Second Interview – Everything to Know Beforehand
Create A Clear Subject Line
Be aware that your interviewer is very busy. Give a clear subject line to your email. Here are some samples.
- Thank you, <interviewer’s name>!
- Thank you for the interview yesterday.
- Thank you for your time.
Make it Personal
In the thank you email, address the hiring manager by name. If there are multiple rounds, it is good etiquette to send a thank you email after each round.
Express your thanks for the time the hiring manager took for you. Be sincere when expressing your gratitude.
Express your interest in working for them again in the thank you email. This is a polite and non-intrusive way of saying it without it seeming like a persistent refrain.
Mention Specifics
Think back to any specific points discussed during the interview. If you can mention these with additional information in the thank you note, don’t hesitate to do so. This will show the hiring manager that you can add value to the job if hired.
End the Email on a Humble Note
Offer to provide more information if needed, about yourself. Also, there is no harm in gently reminding them of the response deadline. Conclude the email by expressing your gratitude once more.
Sign off by writing “sincerely” or an appropriate synonym followed by your full name. Below your sign-off message, place your contact information, such as your telephone number. You can also add your social media or personal website links.
Conclusion
Be sure to proofread your email draft carefully before sending it to your job prospect. Just a few grammar and sentence structure errors can turn the employer off.
You can keep it short, but be sure to be precise, accurate, gracious, and grammatically correct. Your perfect email can mean the difference between a welcome and a goodbye.