How do I follow up after a job interview? (Thank-You Note)

There has been an ongoing debate about whether to use paper or electronic thank-you notes. While we value the human touch of a paper thank-you note and think that it can often give you an edge - speedy delivery is more important.

So we recommend that you send an e-mail.

If you were interviewed by multiple people, send each person a separate thank-you note. This will help you connect with those individuals, who can become your allies in the hiring process. And even if you aren't hired, these people can provide you with introductions to other jobs and companies (each encounter can spur additional opportunities).

Your thank-you note doesn't have to be very long. Three to five sentences is good.

In this note, you want to express gratitude, re-establish a personal connection with the interviewer, and show enthusiasm for the job.

How do you re-establish a personal connection with the interviewer? Over the course of any conversation, there are some high points. There were some topics that the interviewer seemed most excited about. Often, these are commonalities between you and the interviewer. So, you want to reference this connection briefly in your thank-you note.

Lastly, be sure to read your thank-you note carefully, and check it for spelling and grammatical errors. In a three-to-five-sentence note, such small mistakes can really stand out.

The subject line of your email can simply be "Thank You".

Be sure to send the note soon after your interview (it's recommended within 24 hours).

Sample outline:

Hello [Interviewer’s Name],

Thank you for taking the time to speak with me [yesterday/Friday/etc.] about the [Job Title] position at [Company Name]. It was a pleasure talking with you, and I really enjoyed hearing all the details you shared about the opportunity.

The information you shared about [something specific about the job that interests you] sounded particularly interesting.

I am confident that my skills will allow me to come in and succeed in this role, and it’s a position I’d be excited to take on.

I’m looking forward to hearing from you about the next steps, and please do not hesitate to contact me in the meantime if you have any questions or require additional information.

Thank you again, and I hope to hear from you soon.

Best Regards, [Your Name]

Example Thank-You Note:

Dear Mr. Otes,

I want to thank you again for the opportunity to interview with your company. I was deeply impressed by your firm’s application of economics to investment management. I can already envision a couple of applications of this approach to my current trading portfolio of lean hogs and cattle.

As an analyst with your company, I know that my strong quantitative skillset will provide immediate value. Furthermore, I am committed to working exceptionally hard to understand the intricacies of the firm’s investment strategy.

I look forward to future conversations with you about the commodities markets and about our common interest in economic development in Africa.

Please let me know if I can provide you with any further information.

All the Best, Michele Bruce

Sometimes it can take longer than anticipated for a Hiring Manager to get back in touch with you and if that is the case, you can follow up a day or two after the specified amount of time has elapsed.

If they don't give you a time frame, you are welcome to follow up with a short note or phone call two weeks after the interview to check on the status of your application. Let them know that you are still excited about the position, and ask if you can provide any other information to help demonstrate why you are the right person for the job.

Member's of Interview Success Formula, visit The Close Section for more tips on what to do after the job interview.