by John Benson

Created on: July 11, 2008   Last Updated: August 03, 2009

In today's ultra-competitive job market it is essential that you are able to stand out from other candidates when you go for your dream job. For most of us the CV and the interview are the key times for showcasing your skills and why you are more suitable than all the other candidates. But the interview thank you letter is an effective and easy way for you to keep your name in the minds of the people who are hiring.

A short thank you letter can't get you your dream job alone, but it can be the final reminder for why you are the best candidate for the role.

If you need a little convincing about the benefits of the thank after interview you letter then here are my reasons why they're an essential job hunting tool.

A thank you letter reminds them of who you are:

Make sure that each letter you send is customised to the interview and company you have just attended, keeping your audience in mind. Do not send out a standard letter that appears informal and without thought. If you send a personalised and specific letter the managers are more likely to remember you as they do the shortlisting. It is sometimes even advised to make this a letter you hand write, making it personal and rapport building.
Your letter should thank the person/people who interviewed you, as well as letting them know that you want the job. If they had doubts about your commitment or drive in the interview the letter may help cancel out these thoughts.

A thank you letter is like a second chance:

By spending a little time writing an effective and personalised thank you letter you allow yourself an extra shot at that job. You can use the letter to reinforce those qualities that make you ideal for the job, and why you want the job.

If you were nervous during the interview, forgot to ask an important question or failed to promote a specific skill or qualification, this is a chance to do that. By addressing something you missed in the interview, or by asking a suitable and intelligent question in the letter, you may make up for any failings that your interview technique let you down on.
At this stage though it is essential you don't make any basic errors. Double-check spelling, punctuation and reread you letter. If this is your second chance don't squander it.

It's a chance to decline while leaving the door open:

Even if you have decided that the jobs not quite right for you it is worth writing a thank you letter. You may not want this job, but the next one the company offers may be the one you've been waiting for. By politely declining a job offer, or ruling yourself out of a selection of candidates, can save a panel of interviewers a great deal or wasted time and effort. This courtesy can prove to be a big hit if you should your CV ever grace their tables again.

By spending the time to write a short, personal but effective thank you letter after an interview can make the difference between landing your dream job, or being one of the rejected many. By spending a bit of time preparing a template letter you can save yourself the effort in the long run by personalising the thank you, and guaranteeing you are always top of the interview panels mind.

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