How to write the perfect thank you letter after an interview

Thank you notes are somewhat controversial. Some job seekers believe they are outdated and don't sway hiring managers. Others credit them with tie-breaking when two candidates are running in a dead heat for a role. We take the position that "they matter." Today, we'll tell you why and explain how you can make yours work for you.
 

Thankfulness isn't as common as you might think

Being thankful to a hiring manager, recruiter or interviewer is a differentiator in a crowded market.

Did you know that 68% of hiring managers and recruiters believe that sending a thank you note matters?³ Or that one in five interviewers has discarded candidates when a thank-you wasn't sent.³

So let's break it down: by not sending this type of note, you are potentially being counted out or thought less of less positively. Those seem like credible reasons to send to us!
 

Let's play it like AI

AI pulls answers from Reddit, so we're going to take a page out of its book (with credit, of course!) Here are some real responses as to whether thank you notes matter², with reasons why.
 

It's giving sway

"It helps if you’re looking for motivated people. I hired someone once that was a little less qualified than another candidate but their thank you note swayed me in the end, turned out to be a good hire."
 

Cherry on the sundae

"If you’re qualified and interviewed well, a thank you note is like a bow on top."
 

Tiebreaker

"As a hiring manager, it can absolutely be enough to be a tie breaker. I see thank you notes so rarely now, but we had one guy go out of his way to tell the recruiter that he really enjoyed talking with us, and gave specifics about why. We were deciding between him and another candidate, and that nudged him ahead."
 

Nothing to lose

"By sending out thank you notes after interviews, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. I recently got hired for a tech role after initially being told that they’re pausing hiring until the next quarter. I guess they decided to hire just 1 candidate and my Thank-You notes made them hire me!"
 

Memorable

"I sent a thank you note to the recruiter who interviewed me. Not sure if it made a difference but I got hired. Eight years later, I applied for a transfer and ended up in front of the same recruiter. There were two thank you cards hanging on the bulletin board behind her, and one of them was mine."
 

Noticed

"Just interviewed two final people last month for a position. The director pointed out that one sent a thank you after the interview, and the other did not. Yes, we notice."

So as you can see, thank you notes can:

1. Urge recruiters to take a chance on you, even if you're not quite as qualified as they would like.
2. Set you apart from others who don't send thank yous.
3. Leave a positive impression on hiring manager.
4. Give you extra points in the eyes of a decision-maker.

It's a no-brainer. You should send one. Let's talk about aspect of the ideal letter.
 

How to write the perfect thank you letter¹

Be thankful

Thank the person for their time (this is very important, everyone is busy!) If multiple people interviewed you, include all of them in your thanks.
 

Show off, but in a respectful and intelligent way

Resurface your qualifications in a way that directly applies them to something said in the interview.
 

Get personal

Make it as personal as possible. Including key details that weren't in the job description, but did come up in your interview, shows that you listened and are truly interested.
 

Be assertive

Close with an actionable statement that leaves the next step up to the recruiter. For example, "I look forward to hearing from you about a potential shared future at [Insert Business Name]."

Pro tip: Send your thank you note no later than 24 hours after any interview. You want to keep the details fresh and want to stay top-of-mind.

Bonus! Here's a tip from an actual job seeker who has earned roles in this manner:

While email thank-you notes are definitely acceptable, snail mail leaves a lasting impression. However, it can be hard to get a card in the hands of a hiring manager fast enough to make a difference. 

This person we spoke with circumvents that problem like this.

• They bring a nice card with them to the interview.
• Post-interview, while the details are still fresh in their mind, they take the time in the parking lot to pen a personal note.
• They then mail it via the closest mailbox to the office so that it will reach the intended party as quickly as possible.
• They then send a different version digitally within 24 hours to ensure delivery.
   

We will close, as seems appropriate, with some words of thanks.⁴
 

“No duty is more urgent than that of returning thanks.” –James Allen

“Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.” –Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Don't let the sun go down without saying thank you to someone, and without admitting to yourself that absolutely no one gets this far alone.” –Stephen King

We are thankful that you took the time to read this piece today. We wish you all the best in your continued job search.
 

Sources and inspirations

1. 4 Sample Thank-You Emails To Send After an Interview
2. Reddit: As a hiring manager; do thank you notes matter after the interview?
3. The Importance of Saying "Thank You" After an Interview
4. 45 Short Thankful Quotes to Share Your Blessings This Year
    

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