Thank You Letter Basics

Send thank you notes in order to:

• Reaffirm your interest in the company, employer, or industry.
• Jog the interviewer’s memory and to remind him/her of your interview.
• Illustrate that you are courteous and professional.
• Mention something that you may have omitted during the interview.

Thank you notes are appropriate after the following occasions:

• Job interviews (this includes in-person interviews and phone interviews).
• Informational interviews.
• After someone has helped you with your job search process (e.g., referred your resume to someone else, offered you contact information or advice).

Thank you notes should:

• Be short, concise, and to the point.
• Express gratitude for the opportunity to interview or for job search assistance.
• Mention aspects of the interview that were of particular interest to you.
• Grant you the opportunity to add something that you may not have mentioned during the interview that is relevant to your job search or to your application.

Thank you notes should be sent via email within 24 hours of your interview or meeting. After you send the thank you email you can additionally send a more personalized card via postal mail.

The following example is only a guide to give you an idea of what to include in your letter. Do not copy this letter directly. The most important quality you can convey in a thank you letter is enthusiasm and this must be done in your own style. 

Content: 

Dear (Recipient Name),

Thank the interviewer for the opportunity to interview. Share what you enjoyed learning about and/or discussing during the interview.

Reiterate the highlights of why your experience and skills make you a strong candidate for this role. Reaffirm your interest in the organization.

If needed, clarify a response or add additional, relevant information that makes you a strong candidate.

Thank the interviewer again. Express your interest in hearing from them.

Sincerely,

[Your name]

Example:

Dear (Recipient Name),

It was a pleasure to speak with you by phone today about the Advertising Associate role at HUGE. I enjoyed learning more about the team. In particular, I appreciated our discussion about Generation Z and how to strategically market to them.

I am very excited about the opportunity to contribute my experience as a marketing assistant communicating with clients and researching and analyzing market trends.

In addition, my psychology major has given me insight and strategies for understanding Generation Z and how people respond to advertisements.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

Use our thank you letter checklist to ensure that you’ve hit all the main points!