Don’t Skip the Thank-You: It Might Cost You the Job

You nailed the interview. You showed up, made eye contact, maybe even made them laugh a little. But if you leave without sending a thank-you note? You could be handing the job to someone else.

The Tie-Breaker No One Talks About

I’ve seen it too many times—two great candidates, both qualified, both had solid interviews. One of them sends a thank-you message that actually references the conversation. The other doesn’t. Guess who gets the offer?

Yep. The one who followed up.

Not with “thanks for your time”—that’s just filler. I’m talking about a short, thoughtful note that proves you were paying attention.

What to Say in a Thank-You Note

Keep it simple and personal. Here’s your formula:

• Thank them for their time

• Mention one thing you talked about that stuck with you

• Tie it back to your skills or interest

• Say you’re excited about the role

Example:

“Thank you for taking the time to meet with me today. I loved hearing how your team handles customer calls—it reminded me of the time I helped calm down a caller who was about to cancel. I’d be excited to bring that same kind of care to your team.”

It doesn’t have to be fancy. It just has to be real.

How to Send It

Send your thank-you by email that same day, or the next morning at the latest. If you met with more than one person, send a personalized note to each. Don’t have their info? Ask the person who scheduled the interview to pass it along.

It’s Not Old-Fashioned—It’s Smart

Thank-you notes after job interviews show you’re thoughtful, professional, and serious about the role. And in a close race? They make all the difference.

If you’re tired of job tips that feel like they were copied from a textbook—don’t worry, I’ve got better. Check out the blog or pop over to our YouTube channel for straight-up useful advice.