Thank You Notes

Importance of thank you notes

22% of employers are less likely to hire a candidate who does not send a thank you and 91% like being thanked.

  • Demonstrates follow through, professional courtesy and written communication skills.
  • Reaffirms your interest in the position.
  • Strengthens your relationship with the employer.
  • Creates an opportunity to introduce information that wasn’t brought up in the interview.

Thank you notes should also be sent for informational interviews, job shadows and any other career development opportunities where you interact with employers, alumni, etc.

Thank you note etiquette 

  • Ask for a business card from the person(s) who interviewed you so you have their contact information.
  • Send a thank you note within 24 hours.
  • You may email your thank you note or print it on business stationary and send it via USPS.
  • Avoid “text-speak” when composing your thank you note: thx, r, u, thru, etc.
  • Check for grammatical errors by proofreading.

Thank you note layout

Introductory paragraph

  • Thank the employer for meeting with you.
  • Express your enthusiasm for the position/organization/experience.

Middle paragraph

  • After an interview, re-emphasize your strongest qualifications by drawing attention to your skills, experience, or commitment to the position/organization.
  • After an informational interview, recall something you learned or gained.
  • Mention something specific you discussed with the individual.  This personalizes you.

Concluding paragraph

  • Thank the employer for meeting with you.
  • Express your enthusiasm for the position/organization/experience.
  • Indicate which day you interviewed with the individual – they see many applicants.
  • Indicate the position you applied for – recruiters recruit for more than one position.
  • Provide your phone number and email address.

Examples

Dear Ms. Lewis:  

Thank you for the time you took to set up my visit with Golub & Company as a part of the Business Externship Program with Western Michigan University. I am truly appreciative of all of the activities and events you planned for my visit. This experience was much more than I expected. Being able to talk with many members of the Golub team and visiting multiple locations were highlights for me. 
 
Before this externship, I was unaware of how an accounting major could fit into real estate investment. Exposure to all of the information, stories and expertise helped me to learn more about real estate investment and the different opportunities I could have as an accounting professional after graduation. In addition to learning about your company and how accounting plays a part in it, I learned and saw professional business etiquette in practice. That information alone will help me in any career. 
 
Thank you again for being a part of the Business Externship Program. I appreciate your commitment to being a mentor. Taking a whole day out of your schedule to show me around Chicago to meet with different Golub employees was appreciated. I look forward to keeping in contact while I continue to work my way through school. Thanks for investing in my future! 
 
Sincerely, 
Maggie Harris 
 

Email Business Format

Subject: Thank You – Sales Management Trainee Interview – May 13 

Dear Ms. Lis: 

Thank you for the opportunity to interview for the Sales Management Trainee position with Enterprise Rent-A-Car on Monday, May 13, at Western Michigan University.  Learning more about the position and company solidified my interest in becoming a part of the Enterprise team.   

Knowing that Enterprise is ranked by Fortune magazine as “Top Five Best Real World Experiences in the US” is what initially drew me to your company.  My interest in the company increased when I learned of your personal experience at Enterprise – it is great to hear about a company that invests in quality employees, such as you, and promotes talent from within.  I am confident my experience as the executive director of a student-run non-profit organization would assist me as I learn to run my own Enterprise branch.  My ability to build rapport with customers using active listening and assertive communication will be a great benefit to the company when building a client base that guarantees return business. 

I truly look forward to hearing from you about the opportunity to become a part of Enterprise Rent-A-Car.  Should you have additional questions in the meantime, please feel free to contact me at (269) 123-1234or Emai@wmich.edu.  Thank you again for meeting with me and sharing your Enterprise story. 

Sincerely, 

Taliah R. Acevedo 

Mail Business Format

1234 Westnedge Ave. Kalamazoo, MI 49001   

Monday, June 3, 2018
 
Ms. Devin Blake, Senior University Recruiter Stryker Corporation 
1234 Airview Blvd.  
Kalamazoo, MI 49002 
 
Dear Ms. Blake: 
 
Thank you for the opportunity to interview for the human resources internship last Friday on Western’s campus. I enjoyed our conversation and learning more about Stryker. In particular, I was excited about the way that Stryker capitalizes on their employees’ strengths. I was also impressed with the number of WMU alumni employed there, including you!
 
After learning more about the internship and the corporation specifically, I am confident that my education and work experience is an excellent fit for the requirements we discussed. My ability to effectively work in teams, and develop and maintain positive and professional relationships with others, has been proven in my previous experiences. My interest in working for Stryker was strengthened as a result of the interview and I know I can make a significant contribution to your company.  
 
Again, thank you for the interview and consideration. I am eager to have an opportunity to join the staff at Stryker Corporation and look forward to hearing from you soon.  
 
Sincerely, 
 
Deymien Barrett