Sending a follow-up letter or thank you note is a common practice after an interview. The letter may be your last chance to make an impression on an interviewer. As such, you should take special care to make sure to leave a memorable impression.
Professional and Polite
The primary purpose of the follow-up letter is to thank the interviewer for her time. This gives you a last opportunity to make a positive impression on a person who will affect your future. Write the letter using a formal, appreciative tone, and use your best grammar. Double check the letter for typos and clear, concise language. Send separate letters to each of the people who interviewed you.
Interest
While you may have stated in the interview that you are interested in the position, reiterate your interest in the letter and tell her why. If the interviewer said something that stayed with you, feel free to tell her how the statement impressed you. For example, if the interviewer stated the company has a flexible work schedule that is designed to work around the school hours of the employees' children, you might mention how you admire a company that is so family oriented.
Additional Details
You should use the follow-up letter to mention any qualifications or details that you failed to mention in the interview but would work in your favor. You can also summarize the skills and experience you have that would best meet the need of the company or outline thoughts or solutions for problems that the interviewer may have mentioned during the interview. Keep your response upbeat and focused on how you can help the company.
Lasting Impression
Since the follow-up letter may be your last chance to make your plea for the job, use it to your advantage. Send the letter the same day as the interview, so it will be delivered to the interviewer while she still remembers your meeting and before she has had a chance to make a final decision. You may be the only interviewee who wrote a follow-up letter, and the interviewer may see it as a show of exceptional interest or professionalism that you took the time write.
