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An email is the modern, efficient way of thanking someone for an interview. It's also immediate, so the interviewer will likely receive your thank you note before a hiring decision is made. However, you might still send a handwritten note if you think it would mean more to the person receiving it. Generally speaking, handwritten notes are more acceptable in creative and service fields. For instance, you might send a handwritten note if you interviewed for a job as a nonprofit manager for a service organization or a reporter at a small local newspaper. On the other hand, a handwritten note may seem outdated if you're applying for a tech job, so it's usually best to skip it. Your note won't be effective if they can't read it. Use neat handwriting and put enough space between your lines to allow someone to easily read what you wrote. Additionally, don't write very small, as it could make it hard for the interviewer to read your note. Rather than using cursive, write the body of your note in print to make it easier to read. Most interviewers don't expect a handwritten note, but it might get their attention or set you apart from other candidates. You want your salutation to be formal. Make sure you correctly spell their name and use the correct title. Check their business card to find the correct spelling of their name, as well as the title they prefer. If you don't have their business card, check their organization's website to see if you can find the information you need there. You may also find it on a site like LinkedIn. For example, "Dear Ms. Thompson." Don't get too casual with your salutation. Avoid opening with words like "Hey." Thank them for actions like taking the time to meet with you, explaining the job to you, learning more about your background, or accommodating your schedule. A generic thank you will seem insincere, so mention something unique to your interview. You might write, "Thank you for meeting with me yesterday. I appreciate the time you spent explaining the specifics of the position to me, as well as the time you took to get to know me better." If you're writing an email, you might write a short 2-4 sentence paragraph to express your gratitude. If you're sending a handwritten note, you should only write 1-2 sentences. This shows you're genuinely interested in the job because you're still thinking about the interview. Include details like something you learned in the interview, a question the interviewer asked you, or a topic you discussed. Look for something that stood out, which is more likely to remain in their memory. For instance, "Your explanation of the upcoming project made me even more excited about this position. I worked on a similar project in my previous position, so I know I'll be a great fit for your team." If you're writing a handwritten note, it's okay to write just a sentence or two, depending on how much space you have. Sometimes people change their mind about a job after their interview, so you want to let the interviewer know you're still interested. It's especially important to let them know this if the interview provided a lot more details into what the job will entail than you had before the interview. Write 1-2 sentences to express this interest. Say, "After my interview, I'm even more excited about this opportunity to work with Company, Inc. If you have any more questions about what I will bring to your team, please don't hesitate to contact me." Although you want the interviewer to know you're still interested, don't elaborate on your background or qualifications. This will make your thank you note seem self-serving rather than a true expression of gratitude. Skip a line after your third paragraph, then include a formal complimentary close. After the close, skip 1 line and write your name. Great options for a complimentary close include "Sincerely," "Yours truly," and "Best regards." Using a formal close increases the professionalism of your email. You don't need to leave room for a signature between your complimentary close and your name when you're sending an email. This is because you aren't hand signing it. Write a few brief sentences letting them know a thank you note is in the mail. Since your thank you note will likely take days to arrive, it's best to send a short email letting them know you've mailed your note. While this may seem like overkill, not sending an email risks the interviewer assuming you didn't care enough to send a thank you note. You might write, "Dear Ms. Jones, I really appreciate the opportunity to interview with you yesterday. I mailed a thank you note to you today, so you should receive it shortly. Sincerely, Luz Lopez." This is more of a concern if you expect them to make a quick hiring decision. As an alternative, you could hand deliver the note.
Send an email unless you think they'll prefer a handwritten note. Write neatly if you're sending a handwritten note. Open your note with "Dear" and their name. Thank them in the first paragraph, citing specific actions they took. Use the second paragraph to personalize the note with interview details. Tell them you're excited about the job in a brief third paragraph. End with a professional complimentary close and your name. Send a short email about your handwritten note if you mailed it.