The one thing you must do after a job interview

Most job candidates don't bother to do it. However, if done the right way, a thank you note after a job interview could substantially increase your chances of securing the job. Let's explore the pros and cons:

Pros:

Shows the interviewer an attention to detail, follow through and promptness
Displays professional courtesy for the interviewer's time and consideration
Reiterates your interest in the position
Allows yourself to be in front of the interviewer again & reiterate why you are the best candidate for the job
Allows you to add anything you may have forgotten to mention during the interview and/or clarify anything that you felt wasn't communicated properly
Demonstrates your written communication skills
Sets you apart from other candidates

Cons:

Your thank you note may be ignored

After your interview, immediately follow up with a thank you e-mail. Here is a sample:

Good afternoon Mrs. Gonzalez,

Thank you for taking the time to speak with me yesterday about the staff writer position with XYZ Magazine. It was a pleasure meeting with you, and I truly enjoyed learning more about the role and the company. After our conversation, I am confident that my skills and experiences are a great match for this opportunity. I am very enthusiastic about the possibility of joining your team and would greatly appreciate a follow-up as you move forward with the hiring process. If you need any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me by email or phone. Thanks again, and I hope to hear from you in the near future.

Best regards, Gabriela Garcia

Shortly after you hit send, follow up with a hand-written note. Having a stack of nicely crafted thank you notes not only saves time, but shows your attention to detail and organization. Our favorites are from Snapfish.com and can be found here.

Make sure to include something personal from the interview, so that the interviewer can remember you from the all of the other applicants. Here are some great samples of hand-written thank you notes. After you send your thank you note, wait patiently. There is no need for further follow up, unless otherwise stated by the interviewer.

While sending a post-interview thank you note will not guarantee that you land the job, there is certainly no harm in going the extra mile.