Are Thank You Notes Really That Important?

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Ask a Recruiter

Q: Are thank you notes really that important in a job search?  

A: Simply put, Yes!  

A thank you note is more than a polite gesture — it’s a strategic tool that can leave a strong, lasting impression after an interview.

Here’s how to make the most of writing one: 

  • Express gratitude: It’s always thoughtful to thank your interviewer for their time and effort.  

Ex: “Thank you for taking the time to meet with me yesterday about the Associate position at ABC Corp.”  

  • Show you were paying attention: Reference details from the conversation to demonstrate your engagement.  

Ex: “I enjoyed learning about how ABC Corp is adapting to new market regulations. I hope the soccer game you mentioned went well!”  

  • Add anything you missed: Didn’t get to mention a key skill or experience? Here’s your chance.  

Ex: “I realized after our conversation that I didn’t mention my experience supporting a similar Salesforce implementation in a volunteer role — I’ve added screenshots of that work to my portfolio.”  

  • Reiterate your interest: Employers want to know you’re excited about the role!

Ex: “This position feels like a perfect match for my experience, and I would love to join your team.”  

  • Confirm next steps: Use the note to clarify timelines or follow-up expectations.

Ex: “I understand the hiring manager is out this week, and I look forward to hearing back after their return.”  

Pro Tip: Send your thank you note within 24 hours of the interview, stick to email (it’s faster and more reliable), and proofread carefully — this doubles as a writing sample!  

Here’s an example of a thoughtful, effective thank you note:  

Hi Janette,

Thank you for taking the time to meet with me yesterday about the Associate position at ABC Corp. This role feels like a perfect match for my experience, and I’m confident that my knowledge of Salesforce would be valuable to your team as you prepare for implementation in Q2.

I realized after our conversation that I didn’t mention my experience supporting a similar project in a volunteer role — I’ve added some screenshots of that work to my portfolio if you’d like to take a look.

It was great meeting you and the rest of the team. I can tell you have a collaborative atmosphere I’d love to be part of! I look forward to hearing back later this week about the next stage of interviews, and please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any additional questions.

Best,
Corbin

Where do thank you notes go wrong? Here are some pratfalls to be aware of: 

Typos, mistakes, and other errors: Anything you present in your job search — from your resume to your voicemail recording to your thank you note — can be a source of subjective evaluation for employers. Make sure to pay attention to grammar and spelling, and don’t get anybody’s name wrong! If you’re not a confident writer, that’s okay — read your thank you note aloud or pass it to a friend to review before sending. 

Too soon or too late: If you send a thank you note the moment you walk out of the door, it might appear that you had pre-written it. If you wait a few days to send it, it might appear that you forgot. Give yourself a few hours to think, write, and review a thoughtful letter, but try to send it within 24 hours.  

Wrong tone: Be honest and earnest, not obsequious. A good thank you is one that focuses on your unique experience in the interview and highlights your specific interest, rather than one that lavishes praise on the interviewer. For this reason, we would also discourage using generative AI to write thank you notes, as these systems can’t speak to your personal experiences.  

We have more resources to demystify and support the job search right this way!  

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