In today’s world, it is easy to question whether it’s worth it to send a thank you to the people you interviewed with. A thank-you card is outdated and an email is impersonal, so why even bother? Consider these statistics from a CareerBuilder survey:

• 22% of employers say not receiving a thank-you note makes them less likely to extend an offer to a candidate
• 56% of employers say it shows a candidate isn’t serious about the opportunity
• 88% of employers say it displays a weakness with follow-through

Reading those, it’s clear that like it or not, you need to follow up. Your interviewers selected you and took time out of their day to meet with you, and expressing that gratitude shows you understand this. It gives them another look into who you are as a candidate, which can only help your position. Now that you know you have to say thanks, here are some tips about what to include.

Always start with an email

Even if you plan to send a physical note, always send an email within 24 hours of the interview. This keeps you fresh in their minds. Waiting too long can cause them to have to think about who you were. To stand out even more, add a specific point from the interview that the interviewer can revisit and connect you with the experience.

The aforementioned CareerBuilder survey included another enlightening find – almost 90 percent of employers say a thank-you email is fine. It used to be considered unprofessional to rely on this method, but now failing to send an email can have that effect.

When writing the note, take your time. Avoid the temptation to throw something together quickly and send it off. Make it personal and consider your words carefully. If you’re sending a note to several people in the company, don’t just copy and paste what you originally wrote. Tailor each message to be specific to the person on the receiving end.

Start by thanking the interviewer for their time, and then follow up with your interest in the position and why you feel like you’re the right fit. Make sure you express the value you provide to the company, not just to yourself. Sprinkle in your notes personalization wherever relevant and close the note out by expressing your gratitude again. Finally, proofread, proofread, proofread.

When to send a note card

Sending through snail mail in addition to an email isn’t frowned upon and is still an acceptable form of gratitude. It takes longer which makes email ideal. While most of the time it is your prerogative, pay attention to the vibes of your interviewer to see if you think they would especially appreciate a real card.

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