Always say thank-you in person upon leaving an interview. It’s crucial to say it in writing within 24 (preferably) to 48 hours.
Personalize your comments to each person who participated in the interview. That means you should send a different letter to each interviewer. It might even be wise to send one to the administrative assistant who greeted you, made you feel welcome, got you some water, ushered you into the interviewing area, and introduced you.
Your letter can be written in a variety of formats:
- Email
- Handwritten note card
- Typed letter
The preferred format of hiring managers is an email letter inserted into the text area of an email. From the interviewer’s point of view, email is convenient, easy to forward to interview team members, and more apt to arrive before the hiring decision or second interview decision is made. From the job seeker’s point of view, when time is of the essence, an emailed thank-you arrives immediately. Remember that an email letter should be written using business English standards.
If you use postal mail, you have two choices. A short handwritten note is preferred over a business letter because it’s more personal. Though a note can’t include as much reflection and summary, its personal effect is greater. Use the type of card that is blank on the inside, and make sure your penmanship is very legible. All emails, notes and letters should be absolutely error free.
You may also send a thank you e-mail immediately after the interview and follow up with a thank you card.