The Thank You Note: A Detail That Makes a Difference

Sending a thank you note after the interview is a simple but very effective detail that can positively reinforce your candidacy.

Although not all candidates do it, taking the time to send it shows professionalism and thoughtfulness.

Why send a thank you note (Professionalism, recall, differentiate yourself)

Sending a thank you note has several key benefits:

Increases recall: It helps the interviewer remember you among other candidates. In a sea of interviews, a personalized thank you makes you stand out.

Demonstrates professionalism: It's a gesture of professional courtesy that reflects your attention to detail and follow-through.

It sets you apart: Since not all candidates send thank you notes, doing so positions you favorably.

When to send it (Ideally within 24h).

Timing is important. Ideally, send the thank you note within 24 hours of the interview, or at the latest, the next day.

This ensures that the conversation is fresh in the interviewer's mind and demonstrates your immediate interest.

Formats (Email vs. Written/Handwritten Letter, Video?)

You have several format options:

Email: This is the most common, quickest and currently accepted method. It ensures immediate delivery.

Handwritten letter: It can have a greater impact because it is more personal and less frequent. However, it takes longer to arrive and requires you to have a mailing address.

Consider this format if the company culture is more traditional or if you want to stand out in a special way. Make sure your handwriting is legible.

Video: A very innovative and differentiating option is to send a short video thank you message.

It can be a simple video recorded with your cell phone, personally thanking the interviewer for their time. This makes you extremely memorable.

Content (Thank you, reiterate interest, mention something specific from the talk, correct/add something if necessary).

The content of your note should be brief and professional:

Acknowledgement: express your gratitude for the time the interviewer spent with you.

Reiterate interest: Confirm your interest in the position and the company.

Mention something specific: Refer to a specific point in the conversation to personalize the note and show that you were attentive.

Reinforce your fit: You can add a short sentence reminding why you are a good fit for the position.

Correct or add (optional): If you realized during your self-assessment that you forgot to mention something important or gave insufficient or erroneous information,