When should you send an interview thank-you note? This is actually two questions, and I’m going to answer both of them.
Should you send a thank-you note the same day, the next day, or what?
It’s widely agreed that thank-you notes should be sent within 24 hours. That still leaves the choice of sending it the same day, or the next day. Does it matter? Potentially.
If you believe the hiring committee may be right on the verge of making a decision–for example, if you’ve just done your final interview and you’ve been told you’re the last candidate–then it could be an advantage to send it the same day to ensure that it can influence their decision. Otherwise, a better strategy may be to write it on the day of the interview and then “sleep on it.” The next day you may see something to correct or improve.
Should you send a thank-you note even after a short chat? Even if it wasn’t exactly an interview?
I have news for you, that “chat about the role” with the recruiter was an interview, or at least, you should treat it as one. Send a thank-you note to show your appreciation, demonstrate your emotional intelligence, and make it more likely you’ll be remembered.
Now you know when to send a thank-you note. Now what about how?
If the employer is deciding between two equally qualified candidates, a well-crafted followup can be a tie breaker. Learn how to write a great thank-you note and follow up effectively to increase your odds of getting the offer.
