by H. Snowborne

Created on: February 06, 2010   Last Updated: May 05, 2010

Writing a thank you letter after an interview takes so little time, but the impact the letter creates is huge.  People generally overlook the opportunity to be gracious and competitive at the same time, but the truth is, a "thank you" in writing,  following an interview,  always makes your interviewer feel appreciated for their time.

This isn't the only benefit to writing the note, but it is one of the most important.  Interviewers take time out of demanding work schedules to seek out the appropriate employee for a position, often working within severe time and skill limitations.  For some interviewers, it's an unfamiliar task that they're expected to perform with little training, while under a great deal of pressure.  They know that choosing the wrong candidate can cost their company in lost time and money, and they need to be reassured that a candidate they consider for the position will be effective.  For others, the task is repetitive, especially if the applicants are numerous and the interview format is dictated by the use of a tool, such as an interview booklet which structures each session identically. You'd have an advantage if you could make your interview memorable.  A thank you note delivered after the meeting can give you the means to capitalize on this situation, and use the limitations of the interview format to your advantage.

A post interview thank you note or letter gives you a fresh opportunity to present yourself as a mindful, professional, and determined individual.  It demonstrates a vital skill in making good business relationships,  in that you can convey your gratitude to your interviewer for their time and consideration.  You elevate the dynamic of the interview above the sterile "question and answer" procedure it can often be, and remind your interviewer of the fact that the interview was also a chance for you to meet and learn about each other.  In a business context, your interviewer gains a sense of your ability to work well with and understand other people-this is a vital skill in any organization.  Never underestimate the impact of good manners and the ability to understand what others go through in their efforts, they're rarely displayed and therefore very much appreciated.

Use your letter  to reiterate the most powerful points of your conversation and your ideas, so that your interviewer is reminded of your their relevance to the position.  Think of the

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