A thank-you letter can help you seal the deal after an interview. Use this sample to craft one that can help boost your candidacy.
Writing a hiring manager a thank-you letter for an interview is one of those things that you absolutely must do during your job search. Even if you think an offer is in the bag, you can always improve your chances of getting the job if you send thank-you notes. But do you know that most applicants don’t send a post-interview thank-you letter? It's bizarre, but true.
Not only does a thank-you letter after an interview allow you to show off your good manners, it also helps remind the hiring manager who you are and what strengths you would bring to the position. Who knows how many people are being considered for the position? It could be two or twenty. Now think about the dozens (or hundreds) of resumes that a hiring manager has to review prior to the interview stage, and you can see where even the most sparkling of personalities might get lost in the shuffle.
When it comes to the job search, don't leave anything to chance. Promptly send a thank-you to your interviewer. And in your letter, reiterate your core strengths and emphasize the value you offer. You can even squelch any concerns the employer raised about your qualifications and add important information you didn’t get to discuss in the interview. Check out this sample thank-you letter for an interview:
John Smith
14 Elm St. | Sometown, CA 55555 | 555-555-5555 | john@somedomain.com
[Date]
Ms. Amy Lin
Manager
ABC Company
1 Corporate Way
Sometown, CA 55555
Dear Ms. Lin:
Thank you for meeting with me this morning to discuss the executive assistant position. I enjoyed our conversation, and I am very excited about the possibility of joining your team.
I know what it takes to run a busy and successful insurance office. In my last position as an administrative assistant for XYZ Company, I helped manage all aspects of the operation, handling tasks such as bookkeeping, customer service, claims processing, report preparation and ongoing communications with the district manager.
You mentioned that you need an assistant who has strong people skills, and this is an area in which I excel. At XYZ Company, I helped the manager build a loyal client base by consistently providing excellent service. My last supervisor said, “John is one of the hardest-working employees I have known. His friendly and professional customer-service skills helped the firm achieve a 20 percent revenue increase last year, and I couldn’t have done it without him.”
I don’t see the executive assistant role as a punch-the-clock, 9-to-5 job; I will be your “right hand”—helping you manage the day-to-day operations, volunteering for special projects, and ensuring the company is positioned for growth and increased profitability.
Again, thank you for considering me for this exciting opportunity. As you requested, I’m enclosing a list of professional references. Please feel free to call me if you need additional information, have any questions or would like to offer me the job! Thank you for your time, and I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
John Smith
Enclosure: List of References
Ready to send out some thank-you letters? Do this next
Now that you know what a thank-you letter for an interview looks like, let's put that knowledge to good use. Gratitude is always welcome, but before you can start sending out a few good thank-you notes, you'll need to nab some job interviews. Not sure how to get started? We can help. Join Monster for free today. As a member, you can get job alerts sent directly to your inbox, plus you can upload up to five versions of your resume and cover letter. Recruiters search Monster every day looking to fill top jobs with outstanding candidates—just like you. Get your stationery ready (we'll also be expecting a note).