All quarter, we’ve been discussing tips and techniques for mastering your interviews. This week we focus on what to do after the interview: the thank you note.
Thank you notes can serve many purposes, but as Kim Alayne Walton explains in her book, Guerrilla Tactics for Getting the Legal Job of Your Dreams, “Thank you notes are a kind of Catch-22. A good one won’t help you, but a bad one can hurt you!” If your interview went well, it can remind the interviewer of your best qualities and help you stand out from the crowd. If your interview didn’t go so well, it can be a second chance to answer the question that rattled you and end on a strong note.
Writing a good thank you note requires preparation. To avoid last-minute trips to the store, make sure to have a blank thank you card before you go to your interview. Before the interview or at the start, be sure to write down and spell correctly the names of the people who interview you. As soon as the interview is over, write down a few of the highlights – What questions did you answer well? What connected you most with the interviewers? Also write down a few of the low spots – Was there a question you could’ve answered better? Not only will a short and quick reflection improve your interviewing skills, but a few good notes will make writing a memorable thank you note much easier. However, once you’ve passed the 30 minute mark, let it go – sometimes great interviews do not lead to offers, and sometimes bad interviews lead to great jobs. Over-analyzing won’t help you know which is which.
If your interview went well, then your thank you note should be short, sincere and positive. Express appreciation. Reference one of the better moments during the interview to help jog the memory of your interviewer. Restate your interests, skills and how they match what the organization or firm is looking for. If your interview could’ve been better or if you forgot to mention something, here’s your opportunity to answer that tricky question or emphasize a strength you left out.
Lastly, a short list of do’s and do not’s.
Do:
· Type your note first, use spell and grammar check, and then copy it by hand into the note.
· Double check the correct spelling of your interviewer’s name (usually you can find this on their website or by a quick call to the organization)
· Write legibly! If you have particularly bad handwriting, consider typing your thank you note, but still sign your name.
· Be appreciative
· Refer to something specific that you talked about
· Emphasize your interests and skills, and how they match what the employer is looking for
· Send within 48 hours of your interview
Do not:
· Cross-out and rewrite a word on the note you put in the mail
· Write directly on your note card without writing a draft first
· Misspell the name of your interviewer
· Wait a week before sending
