Thank-you notes and emails

Thank you letters or emails are prompt, personal replies to express your appreciation for an interview and to reiterate your interest in and qualifications for the position for which you interviewed. Sending a thank you letter leaves a positive impression and can sometimes be the deciding factor as to who gets offered the position.

It is important to send a thank you to each of the individuals you interviewed with within one or two days following the interview. The letter should be concise in a business format and should express appreciation for the interviewer’s time and consideration of you as a candidate. Try to personalize your letter while maintaining professionalism.

If you decide you are no longer interested in the position, it is still common courtesy to send a thank-you note as it reflects your professionalism. It also keeps the door open if you should become interested in the organization sometime in the future or if the person you met with knows of another opportunity that might interest you.

Choose one of the following methods for your thank-you note:

• Use a card and hand write your message.
• Use the same paper that your resume was printed on and type it.
• If your previous correspondence with the employer has been via email, it is appropriate to send a thank-you letter via email. It is better to email a thank-you letter than to not send one at all.

Writing your note

Introduction

• Show your appreciation for the opportunity to interview.
• Make a specific reference to the position.

Body

• Reiterate your interest in the job/internship and remind the interviewer of your key skills and experiences that match the position.
• Refer to aspects of your discussion during the interview that further confirmed your interest in the job and company, or that increased your confidence that you are a good fit for the position.

Closing

• Restate your gratitude.
• Clarify the method of follow-up (e.g., "I look forward to hearing from you soon" or "I will call you on Friday regarding your decision").
• Close on a positive note.