Thank you letter

Photo Credit: Copyright Alison Doyle

The following is an example of a thank you letter email message to send after a phone interview. In addition to relaying your appreciation for the interview, mention the skills you have that best qualify you for the position.

Subject Line: Thank You - Marketing Assistant Interview

Dear Mr./Ms. Last Name:

I appreciate having the opportunity to speak with you today about the marketing assistant position at the ABCD company. The job seems to be a perfect match for my abilities and interests.

In addition to my enthusiasm, I will bring to the position strong communication skills, flexibility, and the ability to encourage others to work cooperatively with the department.

I appreciate the time you took to interview me. I look forward to having the opportunity to meeting you in person and hope to hear from you soon.

Again, thank you very much for your time and for your consideration.

Best Regards,

Your Name
Email Address
Address
Phone Number

Photo Credit: Copyright Alison Doyle

Sample Job Interview Thank You Email

By Susan P. Joyce

Recent surveys by both CareerBuilder and Accountemps have indicated that an emailed thank you note is acceptable to most employers in the USA. If you interviewed with a very conservative organization, you should probably consider sending a formal thank you in an envelop with a stamp.

Like the formal written and printed notes, send a unique message to each person who interviewed you because they are often passed around to others who interviewed you. And, keep the messages short!

[Related: Making Email Work for Your Job Search, Sample Job Interview Thank You to the Person Who Referred You, Sample Job Interview Thank You to an External Recruiter and Sample Thank You Note After a Bad Job Interview.]

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Sample Thank You Message -- 

Leave the TO: field empty until you have completed, spellchecked, and proofread the message (or put your own address in that field until it is ready to be sent). 

If you have time, forward the message to a friend or family member to proofread, too, before you actually send it to the real recipient.

Use short paragraphs to make your message easier to read and comprehend if someone just scans it on their computer or mobile device. Adapt the text in this sample to your circumstances, and customize it to each individual.

If something you said seemed to resonate with that interviewer -- perhaps something you shared about one of your achievements or information you learned about one of their competitors -- include a brief statement related to that topic into your message.

If you "connected" with the intervewer about something, from sports, schools, or a passion for recycling to movies, music, or an interest in sports cars, instert a reference to that connection in your thank you note to help the interviewer remember you

Replace the Italicized text with whatever terms are appropriate for you and your situation.

Subject: Thank you for the [Job Title] position interview on [date]

Dear [Mr./Ms. Last Name]:

Thank you very much for your time today [or yesterday or the date] to interview me for the position of [job title]. I appreciate the opportunity to learn more about this job, to meet you and [names of other interviewers], and to see your facility [or offices, location, whatever is appropriate]. 

[Reference anything you said that seemed important to the interviewer, like: As we discussed, I find the technology related to using cloud computing fascinating and an amazing opportunity for the future, but security is also a major concern. Keeping XYZ Company's information safe would be a top priority for the person in this job, and I would love to dig deeply into the protective technologies, as well as the threats, to avoid future problems.]

[Reference the "connection" you may have made, like: I enjoyed finding someone else who attended XYZ College and also roots for the hockey team. Hope they make the NCAA Division finals next year!]

As we discussed, I have [months or years] of experience with [technology, tools, or qualification you have that seemed most important in the interview]. With my background and experience, I believe that I could become a contributor to your team very quickly.

I am excited about this opportunity to join [organization name]. Please do not hesitate to email or call me if you have any questions or need any additional information.

I look forward to hearing from you [whenever they said they would be in touch or in 10 days if they didn't give you a date]. 

Best regards,

[Your name]  
[ Your job title or tagline, like "eCommerce Customer Support Specialist"]
[LinkedIn Profile URL]
[Phone number -- not your work number if you are employed]

Don't Be Informal

While email messages are typically less formal than printed and snail-mailed messages, that doesn't mean you should be casual in your attitude or language. 

Don't slip into informality, even though this is an email. No emoticons :-( and no texting language (LOL). 

[More: Guide to Email for Job Search.]

Staying in Touch After the Thank You's Are Sent

Hopefully, you will get an email in response to this message, but don't panic if you don't hear from them on their deadline. MUCH may be happening that has nothing to do with you at all. But do reach out eventually to see what is happening 

Do NOT contact them daily -- or even weekly -- for a decision. 

NEVER suspend your job search while you wait for a decision from an employer, even if the job is your dream job.

[More: The Waiting Game After the Interview - by recruiter Jeff Lipschultz] 

Caution!

While emailed thank you's are acceptable to most employers, I would urge caution if the organization is very formal or "old school" like some old-line law firms, consulting companies, and other similar organizations.

If you have been communicating with them via email, an emailed thank you should be acceptable. But, if you want to demonstrate your understanding of etiquette, send a written version via snail mail, too.

More information: Sending Your Thank You After the Job Interview

Photo Credit: Copyright Alison Doyle