A good friend of mine in recruiting recently told me that one of his clients hired his candidate because of the Thank You note the candidate sent. So, yes, writing the perfect Thank You letter can have a big impact on your candidacy! Remember that no matter how much job search has changed over the years, good manners and sincerity never go out of style. A well-written thank you note goes a long way to demonstrate your professionalism and thoughtfulness.

Here are some simple rules when sending thank you letters.

1. Be prompt...You should do this immediately following the interview (within 24 hrs). Although written notes are the more traditional route to take, email is better. It will get there quicker and is more likely to be read than a letter that might get lost in the shuffle (plus it's a hell of a lot more eco-conscious). Timing is key here. For the manager, deciding to take the next step with a candidate is a lot like wet paint; it's wet for only a very short period of time and, once it dries, it's hard to change it. Add to this that most Hiring Managers have short-term memories and you'll understand why you'll want to move quickly to cement a positive impression. Delaying the note makes it difficult for the manager to recall the details of an interview that took place 5 days ago and worse, it makes you appear to be a procrastinator. Bottom line: Move quickly!

2. Be clear, but not specific...Thank you letters are intended to express appreciation (psst...remember that it's called a THANK YOU letter!). So that's all you should do. This letter should not be used to provide your detailed feedback on the interview or make a long pitch on why you are the best candidate or raise a question or concern you have about the job. You'll need to keep this to one page and that will never give you enough room to fully explain any of these things anyway. Plus, getting into that much detail in a letter will almost always carry the risk of misinterpretation. You’ll feel compelled to want to be more specific about why you feel you’re qualified. However, control that urge to "wax on". Use the next scheduled interview or discussion to address these points more thoroughly. Bottom line: More can sometimes be less.

3. Be inclusive...Send these notes to everyone you met with to include other Managers, members of the interview team or Human Resources reps . You don't want to blow anyone off. This gesture to acknowledge the importance of everyone you met with goes a long way to build a positive consensus with the team of people contributing to the decision. You can either write individual customized to notes to each or send a group thank you and copy them all. Bottom line: Don't snub anyone.

4. Be genuine...Try not to use a standard letter that you found somewhere on a web site (to include mine!). Referring to a Thank You letter template is great, but take the time to personalize it so that your message comes off as sincere. You can begin with using this format:

* First, show appreciation for the opportunity to speak with them
* Second, highlight the overall match between the position and your background
* Third, express your strong interest in the position and desire to continue in the process with them

(example)
Dear Joseph:

I'd like to thank you for taking the time to speak with me earlier today. It was a pleasure to meet you (and/ or your team) and learn more about your company.

This job strikes me as being a very good fit with my background. This role will require an individual who is both hands on and strategic, a balancing act I am very familiar with. In addition, the nature of the projects and the technical direction that the department is moving in is a direct match with my recent work at "company name." I am very confident that, if given the chance, I could be a great asset to your organization.

I'm very interested in taking the next step in the process and look forward to learning more about this opportunity. Please contact me if you have any further questions about my qualifications.

Thank you again for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Susan Smith

5. Be grammatically correct...And finally (for the love of god), SPELL CHECK your note. Misspellings are the ultimate kiss of death. A finalist candidate can lose their standing and be dropped from consideration altogether over something as simple as forgetting to spell check their note. If you are working with a recruiter and or have a good friend you trust, I would also recommend showing it to someone else before sending it. Often times, when you are the author, you miss certain things. Bottom line: double check your work, then check it again.