When Is The Appropriate Time To Send The Thank You Email?

Candidate Insights

Feb 16

As a child, I can still remember being prompted by my mother to say thank you…

“WHAT DO YOU SAY?”

And in truth, I myself have uttered those same words to my children especially during any gift-giving season or social interactions (sleepovers, dinner dates, etc.). It is expected of my children that they thank someone in the moment or immediately afterward. So why as adults do we spend time wondering when should we send the “thank you” email?

Having been on both sides, as an interviewer and an interviewee I strongly believe that after you have conducted any and all interviews you should immediately (within 24 hours) send a TY message. While emails are the most acceptable form of a thank you message, there's no reason not to consider additional opportunities. You could call and leave a voicemail or type a short LinkedIn message! Be creative, just make sure to still remain professional. There is a common misconception that sending a thank you message makes you look desperate, too eager, underqualified, or even “old-fashioned”. Tap into your adolescent manners and don't think twice, send the thank you. It’s a great way of letting the person know that you are genuine, have a true interest in the role, and are showing your appreciation of the person's time.

A thank you message should not be a chess game waiting for the other party to make the first move. There are often hard deadlines for hiring decisions. Don’t delay your thank you message too long or you may miss your window of opportunity.

FEW KEY THINGS ABOUT THE THANK YOU MESSAGE:

Proper grammar and spelling are key- often hiring managers will pay attention to this as it may fall in line with the job skill set of attention to detail.
A thank you note should be just that. It is not the time to ask for further details regarding salary, benefits, etc. This takes away from the purpose of your notes gesture.
Whenever possible make your TY weighted with sincerity of gratitude. Letting the receiving party know the specific value they brought to you. Try mentioning a core value of the organization that stuck with you.
It’s okay to say “no thank you” to the wrong opportunity. Keeping in mind you never know when your career paths may cross again. The simple gesture could go a long way.

Lastly, don’t make your recruiter turn into your parent and remind you .. “what do you say”!