It might sound crazy, but even if you don’t get a job, it’s still a good idea to say “thank you.”
If you’ve been through the interview process for a position, especially more than once, it indicates you were being considered. But even if another candidate was selected, a polite, professional follow-up note to your interviewer makes a favorable impression.
If you choose to send an email:
- Include your name and the position for which you interviewed in the subject line
- Address the interviewer appropriately and thank them for their consideration. For example:
Dear Mr. Smith,
Thank you for updating me regarding your selection for the position of Assistant Manager at XYZ Company. Although I was not chosen, I want to thank you for your time.
- End with an appropriate reference to the industry, or the company itself, and a professional close.
I respect the work that XYZ Company does in its field and it remains my first choice for the next step on my career path.
Again, I appreciate your time.
Respectfully,
Ann Myer
The same guidelines can be applied to a hard-copy note. Include your name, address, and phone number at the top of the letter, either centered or flush left. The rest of the document should be flush left and include the date; your interviewer’s name, address, and phone number; single spaced paragraphs with double-spacing between; and a space between the close and your typed name that will accommodate your signature.
Even being turned down for a position, you have an opportunity to make a good impression.
