In the fast-paced legal landscape where small details make a big impact and competition is fierce, a simple thank you can help you stand out as a candidate. Technical skills and legal acumen are essential but soft skills are becoming increasingly important. If you’re not sending a thank you after each interview, you may be missing out on this powerful, often overlooked tool. Here’s why you shouldn’t skip sending one.
Demonstrates Professionalism and Courtesy
Sending a thank you email shows that you respect the interviewer’s time. It’s a simple way to demonstrate your professional etiquette. Hiring managers are often juggling multiple candidates, so a well-written thank you note can help you stand out by showcasing your soft skills, like communication and enthusiasm.
Reinforces Your Interest in the Position
The thank you email is the perfect opportunity to reiterate your interest in the position. Interviews can be overwhelming and sometimes key points get lost in the conversation. Following up with a thank you email, gives you the opportunity to remind the interviewer of your strengths and qualifications.
Address any Missed Points
We’ve all left an interview wishing we would have said something differently or included additional information. The thank you email is your chance to do that. Whether you want to clarify a point, address relevant experience that wasn’t discussed or merely reaffirm your fit for the position, the thank you email can be a strategic way to communicate these key messages.
Helps you Stay Top of Mind
The hiring process often takes time and hiring managers are meeting with multiple candidates before making their decision. A well-timed email can help keep you at the top of the interviewer’s mind. It’s a subtle way to make a lasting impression. Bonus tip: Make it personal by bringing up something that was discussed during the interview.
To maximize the impact of your thank you, keep the following tips in mind:
Timing is Key: Aim to send your thank you email within 24 hours of the interview. This shows you are organized and enthusiastic about the position.
Personalize It: Referencing specific points from the conversation show that you were an active and engaged listener.
Keep it Concise: Your email should get your message across while being brief and to the point. Ideally no more than one to two short paragraphs.
Proofread: Attention to detail is key. Proofread your email to ensure there are no grammatical errors or spelling mistakes before sending.
Multiple Rounds, Multiple Emails: If you are being interviewed for multiple rounds for the same position, make sure to send an email after each round, to each person. If you’ve met with the same person more than once, you should still send them a thank you after each round but try to mention something specific from that round.
Seek Advice: If you are working with a legal recruiter, consider having them review it before sending. They can help you clarify your message or check the grammar and spelling.
To see an example thank you note, take a look at our 1st Time Lateral Guidebook which contains information about the lateral process such as interviews, resumes, conflict checks and more.
Not all candidates will take the time to send a thank you email. Spending a few minutes of your time to follow up with a brief email, can be the differentiator that tips the scales in your favor. And in a competitive job market, any opportunity to stand out should be capitalized on.
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