Writing a thank you letter after a job interview may seem obvious, but hardly is it ever done. Aside from being courteous, there are a great many reasons why it is a smart idea to write one. Whether it be an interview with a startup, SME, or corporate, this is a good rule of thumb.

Set yourself apart from the pool of candidates with a handwritten or email letter. This will show the interviewer that you have put in the effort and taken out the time to do so. Below are a few tips to help you ace your thank you letter in a professional manner that makes you stand out. But first, take a look at why it is significant to write a thank you letter.

Reinforcing Your Suitability for the Role

A prime time to thank your interviewer is when you are fresh in their minds. A suitable time to do this is at the end of the same day or the beginning of the next day when they have the time to catch up. This is a time when they might be most likely to go through their emails. Or, if it is a handwritten letter sent in the mail, this alone will stand out by itself.

Start off with a gracious thank you and lead on to your continued interest in the position. You can use this opportunity to mention any important points that you forgot to mention. You can also remind them of your relevant skill sets and strengths that you can bring to the table.

Writing Tips

1. Subject Line

Be upfront and express your enthusiasm for the role by mentioning this in the subject line of an email. This will catch the interviewer's eye and they will also know straight away what the email is about. For example, you can say "Thank You for an Insightful Meeting this Afternoon."

2. Greeting

Use the correct greeting to open your email with. Gauge what kind of relationship you formed with the hiring manager in the interview. Did you hold a good dialogue and talk about similarities in hobbies that made you seem like friends? How did the interview end? Did you say goodbye in a formal or informal manner? Depending on the above, you can use "hi, dear, or hello.''

3. Proofread

This is a given for any written form of correspondence. This also applies to your resume or curriculum vitae. Double- and triple-check your spelling and grammar. 100% correctness will leave a positive impression. You also want to make sure your sentences flow and are easy to read.

4. Short & Sweet

Keep it brief. Draw attention to your suitability for the role but do not ramble. You do not want to sound long-winded. A short and succinct letter — be it email or physical — can pack a memorable punch.

5. No Attachments

Write in the body of the email. If you attach a word document instead, the chances of the recipient opening it can be slim. They may not have the time to open the attachment and could jump onto the next email communication. If it is a physical letter you sent through the mail, you do not need to worry about this.

You have written the thank you letter and are now onto the waiting period. What do you do next? You can consider writing a follow-up email.