Thank you notes: Why do you need to send a thank you note?

Sending a thank you note may make the difference between getting — or not getting — an offer of employment or admission to a program.

Many candidates forget to send thank you notes. Interviewers remember candidates who send thank you notes, especially handwritten notes.

Express appreciation for the interviewer’s time and interest in you
Personalize the experience by including a specific anecdote from the interview
Reinforce your enthusiasm for the position and the organization
Remind the organization of the benefits you will bring (one sentence! Don’t overdo it!)
Include information requested by the employer (proposed start date, expense report)

Send a thank you note to each person with whom you interviewed
Use a proper greeting, salutation, and paragraph structure
Proofread the note many times
Ask a second person to review the note for spelling or other errors
Send your note as soon as possible but no later than 48 hours after the interview
Send a handwritten note to make the most impact
— You can send a typed note or an email, but it will be less effective
— You may send an email if the opportunity is far away — i.e., overseas.