It’s one of the simplest things you can do.  By expressing it, you can change a person’s mood and perception of you in an instant.  Who knew two words could be so powerful? 

Sending a thank you note after an interview doesn’t just showcase a candidate’s manners — it can also make or break their chances of landing a job.  Nearly 15% of hiring managers say they would not hire someone who failed to send a Thank You letter or card after the interview.  Thirty-two percent say they would still consider the candidate, but would think less of him or her, according to a recent survey at CareerBuilder.com

Although most hiring managers expect to receive a ‘thank you’ note, format preferences differ.  Only 1 in 4 managers prefer to receive a ‘thank you’ note in e-mail form; 19% want the e-mail followed up with a hard copy; 21% want a hard copy note or letter only, and 23% prefer JUST a handwritten note, card or letter. 

No matter which format you choose, it’s critical to act quickly when sending a ‘thank you’ letter or note to your interviewer.  Twenty-six percent of hiring managers expect to have the note in-hand two days after the interview, and 36% expect to have it within 3-5 days. 

Here are some tips to make the most of your “thank you” letter:

Stick to three paragraphs.  In the first paragraph, thank the interviewer for the opportunity.  Use the second to sell yourself by reminding the hiring manager of your qualifications.  In the third paragraph, reiterate your interest in the position. 

Fill in the blanks.  ‘Thank you’ notes are a great way to add key information you forgot in the interview, clarify any points or try to ease any reservations the interviewer might have expressed.

Proofread CAREFULLY.  Double-check to make sure your note is free from typos and grammatical errors.  Also make sure you spell the manager’s name correctly.  don’t rely solely on your spell checker to catch everything, as many words such as “your” and you’re” won’t be caught by the spell checker, but may be incorrect grammatically. 

Be specific. Don’t send out a generic correspondence.  Instead, tailor your note to the specific job and the relationship you have established with the hiring manager.