Thank You Letter

Purpose:
A thank you letter to each interviewer should be an extension of the interview. It is an absolute necessity. Few job applicants do this despite the fact that it really makes a difference.

Structure:
The thank you letter is usually three paragraphs in length. Each paragraph is designed to deal with a different issue.

The initial paragraph should refer to something specific from your conservation during the interview.  This adds a personal element to the thank you letter and therefore distinguishes it from merely being a business letter. You might write: "I enjoyed meeting you and learning about your objectives..." or "Thank you for meeting with me and sharing your thoughts concerning the co-operative education position within your company."  Remember to also indicate your interest and excitement in the position and the company.

The second paragraph is an opportunity to reinforce that your beliefs  agree with the company’s direction or methodology. An example sentence may be " Following the interview I am even more convinced that my characteristics and skills match the position being offered."  The purpose of this paragraph should be to continue bonding with the interviewer and to indicate that you are in synch with the company mission statement. Do not hesitate to include ways that your skills could be helpful to the company.

A third paragraph is optional. This is a chance to mention the skills and abilities that were not discussed during the interview but that you feel will further your candidacy. Sometimes a critical skill or ability was not discussed due to time constraints or due to the direction of the conversation. This is an opportunity to rectify the oversight. An example sentence could be "Two additional items I failed to mention during the interview are my knowledge of computer software and my retail sales skills at  Canadian Tire."

The final paragraph is a review of the next steps and a closing. You might end, for example, with "I appreciate the opportunity that you have given me and I am looking forward to working with you and your staff."
"Thank you for taking the time out of your schedule to meet with me. I appreciate the opportunity that you have given me and I am looking forward to working with you and your staff."
"Thank you for interviewing me for the co-operative education position of ____________ assistant. I appreciate your time and information concerning the position."