Back when I was a hiring manager, it always amazed me when candidates didn’t send a thank-you note after an interview. In a time when communication is as easy as picking up a smartphone, there’s just no excuse not to.
I’m not the only one who thinks this way. Recently Jessica Liebman, managing editor of Business Insider,said that failing to send a thank-you note was the number one mistake by people she interviewed.
I agree wholeheartedly with Liebman that not sending a thank-you note can have serious consequences. For me, this lack of follow-up shows disinterest in the position and disrespect of my time. Believe me when I say there were candidates who would have otherwise advanced in the interview process but didn’t because they didn’t follow up.
That said, there’s no need to write a novella. A simple “nice to meet you” and “thank you for your time”, with a comment or two on something that was discussed and a reiterated interest in the job, is enough for me. If you still have questions or want to comment on something that was said during the interview, this is also a great place to do it. Check out this example at About.com.
At the end of the day, a thank-you note boils down to sincerity and demonstrating your willingness to make the effort, not word count.
