Job interview thank you letters

After every job interview, always thank the interviewer in writing. 
 
Though you could send an email, it's more impressive and more personal to send a letter. And remember that many managers are drowning in emails - so a letter may be read and appreciated, whereas an email may not.  
 

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What your interview thank you letter should say
 
In a thank you letter, you're not begging for the job! Be polite and sincere, but don't go over the top. And don't write too much - keep it short and sweet!
   
Simply thank the employer for giving you the interview and mention anything that you learnt about the job or the company. 
 
You could also say that you are very interested in the job, so that the employer knows you are still in the running.
 
However, if you've decided that you really don't want the job, tell the employer in your thank you letter. You don't want to waste the employer's time, and they will usually appreciate your honesty. If they don't, then you probably won't want to work for them anyway!
 

Letter checklist

Your thank you letter should include (in this order):
  
 - your address
 
- the employer's name and
  address 
 
- the date
 
- salutation, ie "Dear Mr Brown"
 
- the job reference number (if
  there is one)
 
- a short paragraph thanking
  the interviewer for the
  interview
 
- a short paragrah saying that
  you enjoyed the interview and
  what you learnt about the job
 
- a final sentence saying you
  hope to hear from the
  employer soon
 
- end with 'Yours sincerely', 
  and...
 
- your signature, followed by
 
- your printed name.

Use white, or a light cream paper. Don't use bright or gaudy colours.
 
Paper size - always use A4.
 
Don't use copier paper. Buy some paper which is heavier - paper quality is set by weight. Try 100 gsm paper. Check here, or at your stationers.
 
Use the same colour paper for the envelope.
 
Send your letter in a 'DL' envelope.
 
Stamp - always use first class.
 
Post your interview thank you letter on the day of the interview, so it arrives the next day.
 
  
 

Stationery checklist

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Sample thank you letter
    
Here's a sample thank you letter which includes all the basic elements. We've indicated what you need to include - the checklist on the left will help you.
 
Click the letter below to download the sample in RTF format. 
 

The easy way to write an interview thank you letter
 
 You can write a letter manually for each interview you go to - but it takes a lot of time, especially if you are making lots of job applications.
 

You'll save time by using our Job Applications' Editor. This small programme can be downloaded and you could be using it within just a few minutes. It produces documents such as thank you letters automatically, organises all your job applications and produces lots of other useful documents such as envelopes, checklists, covering letters, emails etc, all at the click of the mouse.
 
And, right now, the programme is completely FREE! Just click the picture above to download and install it.
 
The Job Applications' Editor is part of a much bigger programme - Career Organiser - which includes a CV writing programme, an interview practice programme and lots of other useful tools. You can get a free trial using the buttons on the right.
 

Typed or handwritten letters?
     
Handwriting an interview thank you letter is a good idea - but only if you have excellent handwriting. 
 
For most people, it's better to play safe and type your thank you letter.
 
But ... you should always sign your letter by hand. Don't just type your name at the end of the letter and leave it like that.
 

Sending your interview thank you letter
     
Post your letter on the day of the interview if you possibly can. And use first class post so that it stands the best chance of getting there the day after the interview.
 
Use a DL envelope for your letter and use the same colour as the paper you use for the letter itself.
 
Print the employer's address on the envelope - most printers will let you print directly on envelopes and the result looks better than if you hand-write the address.
 
Before you seal the envelope, always check the letter and envelope for errors! Get someone else to double-check it for you.
 

What happens next?
     
Many employers do not tell you if you have NOT got the job. This is to save time and money writing letters to all the unsuccessful candidates.
 
If you do get a letter or email telling you that you haven't got the job, it can be useful to call the employer and ask for some feedback. This will help you when applying for other jobs.
 

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Stationery for your interview thank you letter
    
Using the right kind of stationery is important because it tells the employer how well-organised and professional you are. In other words, it creates the right impression, and remember that getting a job is all about selling yourself to an employer.
 
Don't use cheap copier paper for your letter. Buy some better quality paper - 100 gsm (grams per square meter). It can be a bit more expensive than copier paper, but it looks much, much better. You should use this kind of paper for your CV as well.
 
Prefer white paper rather than coloured. If you really want to use a colour, choose a very light cream. Don't ever use bright colours.
 
Use the same colour for both the letter and the envelope. 
 
Use A4 size paper for the letter and a DL envelope. Fold the letter twice so it fits neatly inside the envelope.