You just had a great interview or perhaps you doubt it went well. It’s easy to fall into the trap of overthinking how well an interview went. Often times, out-of-sight, out-of-mind is the best policy, but not when it comes to an interview.

Don’t wait to be contacted with a decision to leave a great impression on the hiring manager. Make that person remember who you were within an hour of being interviewed by emailing a thank you letter.

What is a thank you letter?

A thank you letter is a professional way to show your appreciation to a potential employer for taking the time to interview you, or extend an offer to work for their company.

It is a great way to reiterate your interest in the role and organization, and the time the employer took to interview you.

What to do after an interview?

Party time! Sounds great. Maybe call your friends to tell them how you annihilated the competition over coffee (that does sound tempting, if I’m honest). Or head to the pub to shed a few tears on how the interviewer didn’t seem to connect with you. All options sound great, but DON’T.

Despite how well or bad an interview might have gone, the interview is not over just because you left the building. You still have time to change, confirm, and even persuade the interviewer as to why they should hire you or why they will not regret choosing you.

Keep it professional. Keep it clear. Keep it honest.

There’s a belief that you should wait at least 24-hours to write a thank you email after an interview. This can be counterproductive, since the employer might make the decision within that timeframe.

Reasons for writing a thank you letter after an interview:

• Courtesy
• Remind the hiring manager why you are suited for the position
• Reiterate your interest
• Network. Many tend to forget that if for some reason you are not chosen, it does not mean the hiring manager won’t keep you in mind if another position becomes available.

What should a thank you letter include?

• Header: the interviewer’s name
• Thank you message: acknowledge you are grateful for the interview and this person taking the time, and learning about the teach and position. Do mention you are excited about the position and look forward to hearing back soon.
• Have a professional closing: sincerely, etc.

A thank you note should be short and sweet. A very brief email that shows you took the time to acknowledge the hiring manager’s effort.

Always keep in mind to respect the job hiring process. If a recruiter or hiring manager stated that a decision will be made by next Tuesday, don’t contact them before this, aside from the thank you letter or email.

Don’t rush the process and don’t rush your chances by being too persistent.