So, you have survived the application phase and landed your first interview, but what next? After the interview concludes and the initial nervousness and excitement are over, many of us begin to wonder what to do next. How many days should you wait before sending a “Thank You” note or should you reach out at all? As a former hiring manager, I can tell you that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to handling interviews and Thank-you notes. However, I can give you some tips that may help you make the decision for yourself.
Are you sending the note for yourself or the hiring manager
I have been in your shoes. The interview is over and you begin to second-guess yourself. You may wonder if you made a good impression. You may feel as if you didn’t answer a question exactly the way you wanted to. Our minds fill up with doubt and we immediately try to correct our mishaps with a carefully crafted “Thank You” note. Don’t do it!
If you are writing a Thank You note because you didn’t do well in an interview, the hiring manager will see through this. Sending a Thank You note after a bad interview will make you appear desperate. The purpose of a “Thank You” note is to genuinely express your gratitude toward the hiring manager for their time. So, think twice before sending a note for insincere reasons.
The hiring manager doesn’t expect a “thank you” note
Contrary to what the internet may lead you to believe, Thank You notes are not common, and hiring managers do not care whether you send one. By the time you leave an interview, a hiring manager has already determined whether they are interested in you or not. If the hiring manager doesn’t think you are a good fit for a job, a Thank You note will not change their opinion of you.
A hiring manager will not feel any more or less positively or negatively towards you for sending or NOT sending a thank you note.
You may not receive a response to your “thank you” note
Once the interview process begins, most hiring managers try to remain neutral with all candidates until a decision is made. Hiring managers have to be very careful about all correspondence and communication we have with candidates. Until a decision is made, we wouldn’t want to inadvertently say anything that would lead you to believe that we have any opinion (positive or negative) about you. So, if we do receive a note, most of us will not respond to it.
Assess how you genuinely feel about the position
People search for jobs for a variety of reasons. For some people, they are looking for a job that is more exciting or offers more pay. For others, they are just looking for a job that will help them make ends meet. Not every interview you have will be for a job you really want. Sometimes, it may be that you just NEED the job.
Many of us may be inclined to send a “Thank You” note in hopes that it will improve our chances of getting the job we desperately need at the time. Again, this is not a good reason to send a note, because it will not change the hiring manager’s decision. Additionally, if your note isn’t worded well, it may even backfire, if they were on the fence about you.
Only send a “Thank You” note if you are genuinely interested in the position and enjoyed the interview.
When is it okay to send a “Thank You” note after an interview
There are many reasons not to send a “Thank you” note, but there are some situations where a “Thank You” note may be appropriate.
- You learned something about the position or company that made you more excited about the job after the interview. Perhaps you went to an interview feeling so-so about the job, but halfway through it, you began to see real potential in the position. If you showed a lack of interest in a job during the interview, this may work against you, even if you are well-qualified for the job. If, afterward, you feel more positive about the opportunity, feel free to send a short note to the hiring manager, so that they know that you really DO want the role.
- You really hit it off with the hiring manager. This isn’t a time for fake flattery, but it is okay to send a “Thank You” note if you really enjoyed the interview and it went well. But, only send this type of note, if it is really from the heart.
- You were late for the interview. Being late for an interview is a huge no-no, but things happen to us all. In this case, don’t send a long note full of excuses. Just a brief apology and thanks for the hiring manager’s time. Acknowledgment of your mistake may shift the manager’s view, especially if the interview went well despite that.
How long after an interview should you wait to send a thank you
I believe that the best time to send a thank you note is whenever you feel inclined to do so. Depending on your reason for sending the note, this could be just hours after the interview or the next day.
I’ve read some advice that says to wait a few days after the interview, and I disagree with this opinion. Most hiring managers interview multiple candidates. If you wait too long after an interview, they may not even remember who you were, or they may have already chosen a candidate.
If you want your “Thank you’ note to be memorable, you should send it as soon after the interview as is feasible. This doesn’t mean that you should go out to your car and send an email 10 minutes after the interview ends. Remember, hiring managers have jobs, so after an interview, they usually get to work and their mind is on other things.
If your interview is in the afternoon, a note the next morning before work will place you back on the hiring manager’s mind at a time when it is clear.
If your interview was in the morning, sending a note nearer to the end of the day, may help put your name back on the hiring manager’s mind after they have interviewed other candidates.
Final Thoughts
Sending a “Thank You” note after an interview is completely optional. It isn’t something that is expected, so you shouldn’t feel obligated to send one at all. However, if you do decide to send a “thank you” note you should remember the following. (1) Never send a “Thank You” note for a job you really don’t want. (2) Don’t send a “Thank You” note to try to recover from a bad interview. (3) Don’t send a “Thank You” note if it isn’t your character to do so, and finally (4) don’t expect a response.
Happy Job Hunting!
