Candidates put a lot of time and energy into constructing their resumes, cover letters, and even what they wear for the interview. While this shows great preparation for this phase in the job acquisition process, they often miss a crucial component of interview etiquette: the “thank you.” Sending a thank-you letter sets you apart. If it’s between you and another candidate, who would you pick? More times than not, whoever puts in more effort gets the job.
This tactic helps to keep you at the top of the pile of resumes. It highlights your professionalism and shows you are truly interested in the role, by demonstrating you know how to follow up on tasks. What should your thank-you letter look like? Here are some logistics:
- Address the interviewer by name: “Mr. Johnson,” instead of “Dear Hiring Manager”.
- List appropriate and correct contact information.
- If emailing, don’t bombard them by sending it right away – wait until the next day.
- If sending by mail, make sure you give the letter enough time to reach the employer before a decision is made.
- After sending, be patient. The ball is in their court now.
What should I discuss in my letter? Here are some key points:
- Thank the interviewer for taking time to meet with you.
- Discuss something you liked or learned about the role you applied for.
- Recap your interest in the position.
- Address any concerns the interviewer expressed during the interview. Demonstrate you have what it takes to perform the job well.
- Refer back to something that connected you to the employer that was spoken about in the interview.
Thank-you letters are the perfect way to end the interview phase of the job acquisition process. Show the employer that you are ready to be part of their team. Good luck out there, and we hope you land the job!
Interested in a job at JX Truck Center? Check out our careers page here.
