Answer: I have mixed feelings on thank you notes. In my experience as a Recruiting Director at a “biglaw” firm, thank you notes have hurt candidates more than they have helped. Partners scrutinize every word looking for a reason to not hire you. Thank you notes with typos will send your application straight to the rejection pile. However, many candidates feel that post interview thank you notes are a formality that shouldn’t be skipped. If you feel strongly about wanting to send a thank you note – follow these tips:
- Keep it short, concise and to the point.
- Send the thank you note via email – within 24 hours of the interview.
- TRIPLE check the email for typos and grammar before sending – better yet – have someone else proof read it.
- Be personable and refer to something discussed in the interview.
- Restate your interest in the position and thank the interviewer for his or her time.
Sample thank you note:
Dear ----:
Thank you for our interview this week, the time and insight you shared were very much appreciated. I particularly enjoyed the conversation we had regarding your upcoming trial. I am confident that my experience and industry background would allow me to quickly make a contribution to your team and I would enjoy the opportunity to further continue our dialogue. I look forward to future discussions with (Firm Name).
Thanks again,
(Your Name)
See the following articles for more information:
- 21 Major Interview Mistakes to Avoid at All Costs
- The Best Way to Prepare for a Job Search and Interviews
- How to Talk About Other Interviews in Your Interviews
- How to Answer the Tell Me About Yourself Interview Question
