If you’ve been reading this blog for awhile, you should know by now that an interview isn’t over until you’ve sent a thank-you note to everyone that you interviewed with that day.  It’s critical in terms of showing your potential employer that you actually care about the job, that you are capable of expressing the basic human emotion of gratitude, and that you are generally on top of your game.  I guarantee that, all else being equal, or even if you are slightly better than your competition, if you fail to write a thank-you note and they do write one, they will get the offer.

With that in mind, the content and style of your note can make a difference as well.  So, to give you all some direction, I’ve chosen 5 sample thank-you letters which each highlight a key point.  Without further ado:

1. The Targeted Letter, QuintCareers.com

This letter addresses a specific point, in this case the fit of the interviewee in the organization.  A letter like this may be particularly useful if the interviewer stressed the importance of something like fit, or if you felt it may have come across as a weakness of yours during the interview.  It is relatively formal with the full business letter heading, but this is okay.  I also really like how the writer re-mentions the name of the interviewer in the closing paragraph.  It adds a nice personal touch to an otherwise formal letter.  And people like to hear/read their own names, makes them feel powerful.

2. The Super-Generic, About.com

Yes, this is a cookie-cutter letter.  So if you decide to use this, make sure you spice it up a little, inject some energy!  I chose it for one particular reason- it makes very good use of a specific example of something that was discussed during the interview: the business plan.  By mentioning something that you talked about with your interviewer, you can show that you really were paying attention, not just nodding your head and smiling like a fool.  Bonus points: ask a follow-up question, or provide some additional insight into something you talked about, this is sure to impress!

3. The Recapper, Chiff.com

In addition to providing some excellent interview follow-up tips, the note here (found about halfway down the page) demonstrates good use of personal selling.  The writer clearly and concisely reiterates not just their strength, but how it will benefit the organization based on what has been discussed during the interview.  Because let’s face it, you may be totally awesome, but if your skill set doesn’t match what the company needs, you’re probably out of luck.  I also like how the writer reaffirms his interest in the position, this shows the interviewer that he actually wants this job.  Pro tip: Tell the interviewer how interested in and enthusiastic you are about the position at the end of the interview also, really let them know that you care!

4.  The “Thanks For Nothing”, SusanIreland.com

This may very well be the most important thank-you letter you ever write.  It it’s not post-interview, nor is it post-offer.  This baby is the post-rejection thank-you.  Frankly, I’d never heard of or thought of this idea before coming across this one, but it’s brilliant!  Just because you weren’t the best fit for one job doesn’t mean you aren’t the best for another.  And who better to network with than people making hiring decisions in your industry?  Instead of burning bridges after job rejections, take the opportunity to make a connection with the interviewer that you can bet none of the other candidates are even thinking about.  It’s not hard to see how this can quickly lead to other interviews  and introductions.

5.  The What-you note?, Career.VT.edu

These two letters provide an unintentional “before and after” scenario, with the first (5.4) being an example that you want to avoid.  The writer seems to have forgotten the purpose of the note altogether, which is to thank the interviewer for their time and consideration.  Notice that in the first paragraph, the words “thank you” appear exactly zero times.  We’re glad you had a good time and all, but that’s not why we’re here!  Get your head in the game, kiddo.  And don’t say “thanks again” at the end when you haven’t properly thanked them once. (This oversight is actually far more common than you’d expect.  DO NOT be the one to perpetuate it.)  Thankfully, the next example straightens this out.

So there you have it.  5 different interview thank-you notes, all with their own styles, strengths, and weaknesses.  Individually, they may not all be perfect, but if you take the best aspects of each, you’ll have a damn good letter.  Just please do me and yourself a big favor: say thank you in the first sentence, no matter what.  The rest is up to you.

Got any other tips you’d like to share?  What’s the note that got you the job?

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You’re a smart fella.  You worked hard in school, participated in some meaningful activities, and dutifully read the Brand-Yourself blog every day.  Fortunately for you, all of your efforts have paid off, and you have some interviews scheduled! Now, everything on your resume no longer matters.  The only thing standing between you and that dream job is a friendly conversation with a hiring manager.  You only have a limited time to impress them, so listen up! 

Here’s what to do to stand out from the crowd and really wow your interviewers:

• Arrive 15 minutes early. This allows you extra time to find parking, use the restroom, get some water or just relax.  Also, if some unexpected delay comes up, it gives you an extra cushion to make sure you’re not late.
• Dress conservatively. Do not wear the latest suit or dress from the fashion magazine you pick up at the book store or in the grocery line.  Be conservative.  Until you learn the culture of the company, it is better safe than sorry.  There are exceptions to this rule such as small start up companies or a marketing/PR firm in New York.  Remember, it never hurts to ask the HR person at the company what is appropriate if you are unsure! 
• Research your interviewers. Ask the recruiter or human resources professional for the names of the people with whom you will be interviewing.  Take these names look them up on LinkedIn and  Google/Bing and learn about their work experience.  Maybe their background will provide you with some interesting talking points: do they write a blog, participate in an organization or perform volunteer work similar to what you are interested in?  Remember, these are real people who like to engage in real conversations, not necessarily all business all the time.
• Arrive prepared. Have a classy-looking portfolio notebook to take notes.  Always have a few extra copies of your resume, maybe even bring a flash drive with you that has your resume to be downloaded easily.  You never know who may ask for it. This is simple planning and only takes a few minutes the night before to ensure you have the opportunity for the best first impression.  Also be sure to have a list of your own questions prepared.  About the job, the company, and the interviewer themselves.  This shows that you actually care about this specific opening, and that it’s not just another interview.
• Collect business cards. Ask anyone you interview with for their card before the interview session starts.  Take their business card and put it at the top of your notepad.  Now you are able to glance down at your paper, casually, and see their name very easily should you happen to forget.
• Ask about the next steps. Before you leave, ask the manager or recruiter for the appropriate way to follow up.  Do not leave with “we’ll be in touch”.  Ask for a timeline as to when you may follow up for feedback if you have not heard anything.  Make sure you let them know that you understand their busy schedule and you are happy to call at their convenience.
• Thank you notes. Always write a thank you note!  One tip I learned right out of college was to bring thank you notes with you and write them by hand in the car before you even leave the parking lot.  This allows you to have all information fresh in your mind as you write your thank you note.  Do not write a generic thank you letter. Instead, make specific points about the conversation.  Even just one sentence which references something you talked about, or something personal about the interviewer, is much better than a canned response.  Feeling ambitious?  Hand-deliver your letters to the receptionist so they arrive later the same day or the next day (alternately, FedEx overnight them.  Consider the cost an investment in getting the job).

These may seem obvious, but you’d all be amazed at how many people still show up late, dress inappropriately, know nothing about their target companies, and generally goof up this process.  No matter how good your resume is, if you can’t nail these steps, you’re in trouble.

Have some other interview tips for us?  Share your best pointers in the comments section.

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When the internship is over, make sure employees know that you are not only appreciative of the experience you gained but you also wish to be remembered. Leave your mark at the place where you interned by writing a thank-you note to the people you worked with and everyone you learned from. Below is an example of a thank-you note written by an intern who worked for his local newspaper:

“To the newsroom:

I want to thank all of you for what I have come to call the most fulfilling summer I’ve ever had.

Art – I thank you wholeheartedly for the opportunity. The past three months have proven to be a true turning point in my academic career. I will not forget you in my future endeavors.

Brian and Linda – You were a joy to work with and talk to every day. Brian, when I first accompanied you at Starbucks for your war veteran column, I knew it would be a great summer. And of course I was happy to help balance the rivalry-driven ratio of Syracuse-to-UConn. Orange pride!

Jacky – Thank you for all of the opportunities to cover stories. Every day I was amazed that no matter how many people approached you during the day with something to expand your work-load, you always remained level-headed with a smile. I can’t imagine meeting a better managing editor.

Bret – You know everything! Through all of the technical work regarding my videos, I felt lucky to have you as a resource. Thanks again.

To everyone else that I had the pleasure to personally work with, I extend the utmost of gratitude. I learned so much this summer that it’s hard to believe my writing professors can teach me anything else.

Thanks again to everyone. Keep in touch.”

This letter, though written professionally, was written with an added personal touch. The intern connected with each employee he addressed on a more personal level and has thanked them each for all he has learned by developing specific relationships with them. Here are a few benefits of writing a thank-you note after your internship experience has ended:

• You’re more likely to be remembered. By thanking everyone for the experience, you show that the internship meant something to you. The chance to work among career men and women was important and you want them to know just how much in writing. Writing a passionate thank-you note will cause your presence to stick around for a while. It will also pave the way for a stronger recommendation if you ask for one down the road.
• It will help you network. The sample letter I included above demonstrates an intern’s true desire to connect with people in the journalism field as well as his appreciation for having done so. In your thank-you note, be sure to include specific reasons why you are so appreciative and address specific people or departments. That way, your thank-you letter is more likely to be shared with multiple departments so others can read it and less likely to be viewed by one person and then thrown away.
• You will appear a more passionate person. Passionate people get the job done! Thanking the company for all your opportunities is the best way for them to know you really cared about the job and that you weren’t just getting through it for the school credit.
• You can improve your communication skills. By getting in the habit of giving gratitude where due, you strengthen your ability to make the most of your work relationships. No matter how extensive or brief you make your note, a thank-you will show that you got a lot out of working with their team; doing so habitually will show everyone you work with in the future the same thing.

It feels good to be thanked, and to know that you helped someone achieve their goals and broaden their horizon. Keep in mind that by making a good impression at your internship, you lay the groundwork for future successes – who knows, maybe the boss at your internship winds up being your boss at a completely different company down the road!

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Adrienne is a Syracuse University student from Danbury, CT majoring in Writing and Rhetoric with a Leadership Communication minor. She is a big fan of impressionist art, ocean views and classic rock. She hopes to one day have her name in the credits of a hit film whether behind the scenes or in front of the camera.

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