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How to write effective thank-you letters: 8 tips
1. Write clearly and concisely; this is no time to be longwinded or flowery.
2. Be sincere--most people can sense when you aren't being honest.
3. Stick to the point.
4. Write the thank-you letter as soon as possible after the event (for a job interview, this should be within 24 hours of the interview). However, do not thank the person beforehand (for example, "Thanking you in advance for your help in this matter"). To do so is presumptuous and suggests you are unwilling to write a follow-up letter.
5. Use quality paper. Handwrite personal letters, and use customized letterhead for business correspondence. E-mail may also be appropriate in less formal situations, especially if the addressee expresses a preference for it or if time constraints require it.
6. Proofread the letter before sending it: grammatical errors and typos are sloppy and unprofessional.
7. Be specific and include details from the event. Make your letter stand out (don't send a generic letter that could be to or from anyone).
8. Address your letter to a specific person, if possible, not just the company or organization in general.
Managers Say Thank-You Letters are Essential:
70% said e-mailing thank-you notes was appropriate, especially to acknowledge a small gift or gesture (Recent survey by the Emily Post Institute). Thank-you notes are mandatory and expected in some situations. A recent survey by CareerBuilder.com found that:
- Nearly 15 percent of hiring managers would reject a job candidate who neglected to send a thank-you letter after the interview
- 32 percent said they would still consider the thankless prospect but that their opinion of him or her would diminish
- Nearly a quarter (23 percent) of managers prefer handwritten thank-yous
- 21 percent seek a typed hard copy
- 19 percent want e-mailed thank-yous followed up with a snail-mailed letter
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