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The hardest part of the job application process is the interview process. Your phone interview is the first step to getting your foot in the door and is an important part of the interview process Once it is completed, you may think it’s the perfect time to sit back and take a big sigh of relief, but it’s not the time to relax just yet! Sending a thank you email after a phone interview is one of the best ways to show your professionalism and ensure that all the effort you have applied to the application process will not go unnoticed.
You want to leverage your letter so that you stand out from the crowd and a timely letter can help you do just that. Here is how you can dot your last “I” and cross your “T” with a simple show of job-hunting etiquette.
Why send a thank you note after a phone or virtual interview?
The thank you note is a great demonstration that you have social skills and, more importantly, it showcases your ability to write fluently. In essence, it’s the opportunity to showcase a skill set that is important for most jobs.
It also provides the opportunity for you to express strong interest in the position and to show appreciation for being considered. A by-product of this simple act is to impress the hiring manager or Recruiter you are dealing with. Even if you are not selected as the perfect candidate for the position, you can continue networking for future opportunities with the company.
Sending a powerful thank you letter after an interview can help put you ahead other candidates interviewing for the job so you get the coveted offer. Receive step-by-step instructions on how to write custom thank you letters for every interview.
You can also take this opportunity to add something you may have forgotten to say or ask. You would not be the first person to be mentally kicking yourself after an interview for not bringing up a key point that could help differentiate you from other candidates.
When and how should you write this letter?
Immediately! Ideally, you should send a thank you note within two or three days of the job interview. And, if you were interviewed by more than one person, be sure that each person you made contact with gets a customized note.
Sending a thank you email after a phone interview is one of the best ways to show your professionalism and ensure that all the effort you have applied to the application process will not go unnoticed.Click To TweetShould it be an email or hard copy?
While you may feel compelled to send a quick email in order to expedite your efforts, a hard copy goes a long way in helping you to stand apart. Don’t forget to collect everyone’s business card as you are going through the interview process.
The game isn't over when you leave the interview. You're still in a conversation about this job, and you can win it or lose it with what you do after the interview. In this report, I show you the very best follow-up strategies that go way beyond a generic thank you note.
If you had an in-person interview, your thank you letter should be a hard copy. If you know that the person who interviewed you won’t have access to postal mail in a timely way (for example, if they are traveling), you can send a thank you email as well as a snail mail copy.
If you were interviewed by phone or
What You Should Include
A thank you letter is not a novel. You want to ensure your thank you letter includes key points, but it should not be a very long letter. There is a delicate balance between including the right information and not making it too long.
One page is more than enough. Assuming you get additional interviews, you can provide additional information then. Make sure your letter is organized in a way that flows naturally. Don’t ramble on and don’t write a bunch of bullet points.
You should write a thank you letter to each person that interviewed you. Each letter should be personalized so that the individual knows it was written specifically for them. Now is also the time to indicate that you will follow up in a week or two.
This shows the interviewer(s) that you are interested in the position and that you can take initiative. Thank you letters should have a structure (take a look at some formats on the Internet) and should be timely.
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Why Your Experience is a Perfect Match for the Job
This is your opportunity to ensure that the hiring manager knows that you have the right experience for the job. Mention specific issues raised during the interview and explain (with examples) how you can help to address their needs.
You want to express two items here: that you heard and understand the challenges of the job and that you have the experience to help them solve their issues/problems.
What Have You Achieved in Your Current (and past) Roles?
Hiring managers not only want to hear that you understand their problems, but they also want specific examples of what you’ve achieved. Provide concrete examples of the success you’ve had in previous roles.
These accomplishments should be things that were above and beyond expectations. Be as specific as you can, such as “increased sales 10%” or “successfully launched a new product”. Whatever your achievements, now is not the time to be shy.
Clarify Open Items or Items Not Discussed
Interviews don’t always go as planned and sometimes you don’t get the opportunity to discuss topics you feel are pertinent to the role. The thank you letter is the time to provide additional information or perhaps to clarify part of the discussion that was not entirely clear. If there was some confusion about your experience or resume, now is the time to set things straight.
Whether you are working towards an entry-level opportunity in a new career or seeking an enhanced employment situation that will work better for your life, sending a dynamite thank you letter will help to put you on the fast track to success.
This book, exclusively written for job seekers, includes 101 Thank You Letter Examples for All Job Types. A complete step-by-step approach to writing thank you letters for after the interview.
