Writing a thank-you letter after a job interview
14 October 2014
Read by 5076 persons
You had an interview that confirmed your interest in the position and the company. You should let the recruiter know fairly quickly. How? Examples of phrases you can use.
It is quite rare that candidates, after one or more interviews, get back to the recruiter to express their interest, or even their feelings following the meeting. However, this approach, provided it is well thought out and not too obviously opportunistic, is likely to be appreciated. Recruiting is just as important as being chosen. Knowing that you have maintained your motivation for a position after the interview, or even that this interest has been revealed or even amplified, can reassure your contact. Don't overdo it, stay factual as much as possible and be brief... about ten lines maximum, sent by email two or three days after the meeting should suffice.
1. Your profile perfectly matches the position offered, you can write
"Madam/Sir,
First of all, I would like to thank you for the interview we had on (date) for the position of (). It allowed me not only to deepen my knowledge of your company, but above all to confirm my interest in the position of commercial manager of the activity (...), which corresponds both to my profile and my desire for professional development.
While awaiting further contact, I remain at your disposal for any request for information or additional clarification you may need in your recruitment process. (...)"
Comment: This candidate reminds the recruiter, who has undoubtedly met many other applicants. Their profile and skills match the position offered, and their contact ended the interview with a note of hope. This short note, which should not be forgotten to sign by recalling their contact details (phone, email... even profile on social networks...) simply confirms that they are on the same wavelength.
2. You are not sure you showed enough interest in the position, you can write:
"Madam, Sir,
I would like to thank you for the quality of the discussion we had on (date) as part of the recruitment of the activity manager (...) and to confirm my interest in the position.
Rich in information, the presentation you gave of the content of the position, the professional context and its potentially international dimension in the future are all arguments to nourish and confirm my motivation.
The position you are offering would allow me to develop in a sector that is familiar to me, working in project mode, which corresponds both to my training and my vision of work organization and management. My regular use of English in a professional context and my experience of expatriation as part of (recall of experience and company name) fully correspond to the skills of the professional you are looking for. While awaiting... (...)"
Comment:The position in question evolved between the job posting and the interview, and the candidate fears having appeared somewhat destabilized. The potentially international dimension of the position had not been specified in advance. They are all the more interested in clearly expressing their interest after the interview. This proves that they had time to think, to weigh the pros and cons, and to discuss this possibility with their entourage. This is more reassuring for a company than overly exuberant immediate enthusiasm...
3. You forgot an important element during the interview, you can write
"Madam/Sir,
I thank you for the quality of the interview on (date) as part of your search for a production engineer at the (city) site.
The precision of your presentation of the position, its context and its dimension allowed me a very complete understanding of all aspects of the missions that will be entrusted to the professional you are looking for.
My professional experiences within companies X and Y allowed me first to participate in many missions (mechanical testing of products, launch of experiments) within production teams, then to be entrusted with the responsibility of organizing the production process of (product name), in an environment similar to that of your company's site."
Comment: Troubled during the interview, the candidate feels they did not sufficiently emphasize their professional experience and evolution, in relation to the position offered. They use this letter to emphasize their strengths and confirm their motivation.
Dominique Perez.
Lexpress.fr
Published October 7, 2014.
Posted online October 14, 2014.
It is quite rare that candidates, after one or more interviews, get back to the recruiter to express their interest, or even their feelings following the meeting. However, this approach, provided it is well thought out and not too obviously opportunistic, is likely to be appreciated. Recruiting is just as important as being chosen. Knowing that you have maintained your motivation for a position after the interview, or even that this interest has been revealed or even amplified, can reassure your contact. Don't overdo it, stay factual as much as possible and be brief... about ten lines maximum, sent by email two or three days after the meeting should suffice.
1. Your profile perfectly matches the position offered, you can write
"Madam/Sir,
First of all, I would like to thank you for the interview we had on (date) for the position of (). It allowed me not only to deepen my knowledge of your company, but above all to confirm my interest in the position of commercial manager of the activity (...), which corresponds both to my profile and my desire for professional development.
While awaiting further contact, I remain at your disposal for any request for information or additional clarification you may need in your recruitment process. (...)"
Comment: This candidate reminds the recruiter, who has undoubtedly met many other applicants. Their profile and skills match the position offered, and their contact ended the interview with a note of hope. This short note, which should not be forgotten to sign by recalling their contact details (phone, email... even profile on social networks...) simply confirms that they are on the same wavelength.
2. You are not sure you showed enough interest in the position, you can write:
"Madam, Sir,
I would like to thank you for the quality of the discussion we had on (date) as part of the recruitment of the activity manager (...) and to confirm my interest in the position.
Rich in information, the presentation you gave of the content of the position, the professional context and its potentially international dimension in the future are all arguments to nourish and confirm my motivation.
The position you are offering would allow me to develop in a sector that is familiar to me, working in project mode, which corresponds both to my training and my vision of work organization and management. My regular use of English in a professional context and my experience of expatriation as part of (recall of experience and company name) fully correspond to the skills of the professional you are looking for. While awaiting... (...)"
Comment:The position in question evolved between the job posting and the interview, and the candidate fears having appeared somewhat destabilized. The potentially international dimension of the position had not been specified in advance. They are all the more interested in clearly expressing their interest after the interview. This proves that they had time to think, to weigh the pros and cons, and to discuss this possibility with their entourage. This is more reassuring for a company than overly exuberant immediate enthusiasm...
3. You forgot an important element during the interview, you can write
"Madam/Sir,
I thank you for the quality of the interview on (date) as part of your search for a production engineer at the (city) site.
The precision of your presentation of the position, its context and its dimension allowed me a very complete understanding of all aspects of the missions that will be entrusted to the professional you are looking for.
My professional experiences within companies X and Y allowed me first to participate in many missions (mechanical testing of products, launch of experiments) within production teams, then to be entrusted with the responsibility of organizing the production process of (product name), in an environment similar to that of your company's site."
Comment: Troubled during the interview, the candidate feels they did not sufficiently emphasize their professional experience and evolution, in relation to the position offered. They use this letter to emphasize their strengths and confirm their motivation.
Dominique Perez.
Lexpress.fr
Published October 7, 2014.
Posted online October 14, 2014.
