You should plan to send thank-you notes throughout your job search to people who help you with information, such as networking contacts, as well as to people who interview you. It is considered courteous and professional, and can, at times, have a strategic advantage. A thank-you note can serve one, some or all of the following purposes:

• Acknowledge the interviewer's time in considering you for the position.
• Highlight something from the conversation that you learned and/or were impressed by; use one or two specific examples.
• Express your enthusiasm for the position. Do this only if you sincerely feel this way. If an organization is your first choice, let them know. If you don't feel enthusiastic, either say nothing or let them know diplomatically that you are not interested in going further with them in the process.
• Supply information you promised in the interview. For example, you may have mentioned an article or a paper you wrote that they wanted to see.
• Say something you neglected to say in the interview or to clarify/elaborate on a question to which you feel you responded poorly. They may have asked a specific question which you were unable to answer. Be careful not to begin by reminding the interviewer that something did not go well in the interview. State the thought in a strong, positive tone.

If it is clear that the interviewer has reservations about your candidacy, this is your opportunity to say something to convince her/him otherwise. You may feel that your GPA was of concern, or that the employer was troubled by your lack of direct experience. Acknowledge her/his hesitation and provide a strong, positive counter-argument.

Thank-you notes, in general, should be brief. It is best to type your thank you notes and envelopes although it is sometimes acceptable to hand-write a card or use plain stationery. Make sure you have legible handwriting if you choose this route.

If you are interviewed by more than one person, it is appropriate to write each person a thank-you note (be sure that each is slightly different; interviewers from the same organization sometimes share notes with each other or even keep them together in a file). Or you may write one letter to the person responsible for organizing your day, or the most senior-level person and ask them to thank the others. Mention the others by name.

Be sure that the interviewer's name and title are spelled correctly. This task is simplified if you make certain to obtain a business card at the conclusion of every interview. Call the organization if you need to confirm this information. As with any correspondence there should be no spelling or grammatical errors.

Thank-you notes should be sent within one, or at most two, days after the interview. Nonetheless, even if you have let a week or two pass, it is usually not too late to send a thank-you note. If you have been called back for another interview before you have sent the thank-you note, it would still be appropriate to write a brief note saying that you enjoyed your visit and that you are looking forward to your next interview. All of your correspondence with an organization is frequently kept on file, so you have the opportunity to demonstrate your follow-through.

Thank-you notes will indicate to prospective employers that you are a conscientious and professional person. These qualities are always sought after and appreciated by employers. Please feel free to consult with Career Counseling for assistance in reviewing your thank-you notes.