What Should I Say In An Interview Thank You Letter?
The goal of an interview thank you letter is to make one last impression on your potential employer. Thank them for your time, reflect on a meaningful part of the interview, and reaffirm your strong interest in working there.
How Long Should The Letter Be?
Two short paragraphs is the most you want, but if you can get it done in one, go for it. This is not the time to sell yourself. You have done that with your cover letter and, hopefully, your interview. If you still need to sell yourself after those steps, you probably are not in the running for the job.
You want your thank you to be concise and easy to read. Don’t forget that the employer has already spent a lot of time on your application. They have read your cover letter, resume, transcript, and writing sample. They have spent 30-60 minutes speaking to you directly. Don’t give them more work!
A short statement thanking them for their time, maybe referring to a memorable or noteworthy item from your interview, and a reaffirmation of your desire to work there is sufficient.
An Example Thank You Letter For a Public Defender Interview (Referencing Interview Moment)
Dear Attorney X,
I wanted to take a moment to thank you again for taking the time to meet with me on Monday. Our discussion about bail reform in New York really stuck with me. The amount of misinformation infiltrating this important public policy debate by those who oppose fair and equal treatment for the poor is disturbing. These types of attacks on the poor further strengthen my resolve to pursue my dream to become a public defender. I am excited for the opportunity to join the fight for justice with the Bronx Defenders as a staff attorney/intern/etc. this Fall/Summer/etc. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me for anything as you continue to evaluate my candidacy.
Sincerely,
Jane Smith
Another Example Thank You Letter For a Public Defender Interview (No Interview Moment Reference)
Dear Attorney X,
I wanted to thank you for meeting with me on Monday to discuss my application with the San Francisco Public Defender. SFPD is a model for all public defender organizations to follow and I hope to have the honor and privilege of joining your ranks as a staff attorney/intern/etc. this Fall/Summer/etc. Please do not hesitate to contact me for any additional information as you continue to evaluate my candidacy.
Sincerely,
Jane Smith
How Soon After An Interview Should I Send a Thank You Letter?
This question always reminds me of that painful scene from Swingers where Jon Favreau struggles with his Vince Vaughn’s advice not to call a woman for at least two days, preferably six, after first meeting her. His instinct was to call the very next morning. While his execution was disastrous, his instinct was right on. (If you haven’t seen the scene, watch it!)
I recommend sending a thank you letter to your interviewer the very next morning. There are a few reasons for this. First, it shows your high level of interest in the position. Second, your interview is still fresh in the interviewer’s mind. A next day thank you letter will further solidify that positive memory in their mind.
Is It OK To Send An Email Instead of a Letter?
Yes. It is perfectly acceptable to send an interview thank you by email. In fact, I cannot recall the last time I received an interview thank you letter in anything other than an email.
That being said, the format matters. Are you literally sending an email, or are you typing out a professional letter, signing it, scanning it, and then emailing that? Both are acceptable, but an applicant who scans and sends an actual letter is going to stand out. Take the extra time and care to write up a formal letter to attach to your email.
