If crafting a thank you email is only crossing your mind after completing a job interview, you're already lagging behind the most successful candidates. These strategic overachievers have figured out the secret to making a lasting impression: focusing on a single key aspect that the interviewer seemed to emphasize and elaborating on it in their follow-up correspondence. Are you ready to become a strategic overachiever? Let's dive into the process.

The Crucial Role of Thank You Emails in the Hiring Process:

Research indicates that a staggering 80% of interviewers believe thank you notes play a valuable part in making hiring decisions. Moreover, 87% of them prefer to receive an email instead of a phone call. Surprisingly, however, a mere 24% of job seekers take the initiative to send follow-up emails. In this blog post, we'll provide you with the top three tips to help you shine among the select few who do send those crucial emails.

1. Highlight a Specific Moment or Topic:

During the interview, seize two key opportunities to remember a specific point or moment to mention in your follow-up note. Firstly, engage in small talk at the beginning of the interview by inquiring about the interviewer's weekend plans or recent activities. Secondly, towards the end of the interview, ask them about the traits of a recent hire that they have enjoyed working with. This question not only demonstrates your proactive attitude but also compels the hiring manager to provide a tangible example. Being specific is essential, as it helps your message come across as more authentic and memorable, leaving a lasting impression on the interviewer.

2. Obtain the Interviewer's Email Address:

Make sure to get the interviewer's email address by politely asking for it during the interview or using free mail finder tools such as Mailscoop or Hunter.io. If these attempts fail, you can always request the recruiter to forward your thank you note on your behalf. By being resourceful and proactive, you ensure that your thoughtful message reaches the right person.

3. Practice Pleasant Persistence:

Aim to send your thank you email within 24 hours of the interview to keep yourself fresh in the interviewer's mind. If you don't receive a response immediately, don't panic; adhere to the timeline provided by the recruiter. If the specified period passes and you still haven't heard back, send follow-up emails one week apart. Use the same email thread to maintain consistency and strive to mention different details each time, showcasing the attentiveness you exhibited during the interview.

Bonus Tip - Address the Interviewer's Concerns:

Take the opportunity to address any concerns or reservations the interviewer may have had about you by incorporating one or two sentences that tackle those concerns head-on in your thank you email. Exercise caution with this tip; only bring up topics that were part of your discussion during the interview, and avoid introducing new information about yourself that wasn't previously mentioned.

Conclusion:

By integrating these tips into your post-interview thank you email, you'll elevate yourself above other candidates and leave a positive, lasting impression on the interviewer. If you're currently in the process of job hunting, consider exploring resources that offer guidance on common interview questions and answers to further boost your chances of success. Best of luck on your job search journey!