The thank you note

The post - interview or post - meeting thank you note has come up a lot lately in discussions with career coaching clients. I am a very strong believer in this method of expressing gratitude and acknowledgment.

It's a chance for a candidate to re - enter with the hiring manager or potential colleague. It can: reinforce the positive communication; overcome potential concerns; demonstrate writing skill; and differentiate the candidate from others under consideration.

I have a client who immediately removes any candidate from consideration who does NOT follow up a face - to - face interview quickly with an emailed thank you note.

Here is a lovely example and an outline of a perfect thank you note. I've linked to Mark Warren's blog in the past and think he really nails this topic. Especially the simplicity and beauty of the outline:

1. An expression of thanks
2. Matching job needs with candidate skills
3. Enthusiastic expression of interest

In my recruiting career, I have seen people who express interest clearly and directly move along in the interview process farther and faster than more qualified candidates who did not express interest.

My only quibbles with Mark are stylistic ... minor points really. His writing style, in the example of the thank you note, tends to be a bit more verbose than my own. I come from a more declarative or journalistic style.

Important point: An email note is preferred because of promptness and availability.