How to Write a Thank-You Note to Supervisor

As a recruiter, I've received and written many thank-you notes The difference between the good and bad ones comes down to one word: Intent If you think the intent of a thank you note is to thank the team You're doing them wrong Many thank you notes I see follow the same format -Greeting -Thanks -Closing It's generic, boring, and doesn't come across as genuine And it tells me your intent isn't where it should be It tells me you're doing it to check a box And then complain that you didn't get selected And bash interview notes as a waste of time If you interviewed with someone or a team and you're finding it hard to write a thank you note Don't bother sending it That should be a sign that the role/company isn't the right fit for you A good thank you note is easy to write because it's genuine and authentic It shows that you are truly thankful for the opportunity It shows that you value the connection you just made and want to build on it And it shows you want the opportunity The anatomy of a good cover thank you email is simple: -Greeting -Expressing gratitude/thanks for the interview -Mentioning 1-2 specifics from the conversation that stood out to you -Reinforcing your interest in the role and company -A personal touch over established commonality in the interview -Closing statement Bonus: sending it within 24-hours of your interview Example: "Dear Dave, I wanted to thank you again for taking the time to interview me for the project manager role at Exelon. I appreciated having a candid conversation with you and learning more about what you are looking for in a candidate; particularly how the person in this role will have a major role in managing the new renewable assets and solar projects. I've looked forward to the possibility of working at Exelon for quite some time, and our conversation today only reinforced that further. By the way, I know you mentioned you are an avid Bulls fan. If you've got some time, I'd recommend "The Old Man and the Three" podcast by 343 Productions. They just had Joakim Noah on the show, and I have a feeling his discussion on his time with Derrick Rose and where the team is heading now would be right up your alley. Take care, Jordan" That thank you note is sincere and memorable, and adds some personal touches from the conversation Don't write a thank you note just as a formality Do it because you are legitimately thankful And if you struggle to write one Maybe that's your sign of saying this isn't the right fit for you And that's okay too

After more than 20 years as an executive recruiter, I can tell you there’s nothing like a handwritten thank you note when it comes to building professional relationships. I’ve written hundreds over the course of my career—and received nearly as many. So after your next meeting, meal, or just meaningful exchange, pick up your pen and send a note. Here are four ways to ensure that your gratitude comes across as genuine. Get specific A personal thank you note should never be generic. This is not a form letter or fill-in-the-blank situation. You want to show that you were paying attention and that you’ve reflected on the encounter. Pull out one thread from your conversation and build on it. Or, if you shared a funny experience, reference how you keep thinking about it. You get the idea. Making a note specific shows that you care, which is the whole point. Spell it out Use the note to say what was meaningful to you and why. For example, if the recipient is making a connection for you, tell them why this makes a difference for your career or for a project. Real feeling is what you’re going for here. You don’t need to gush but you don’t need to be overly restrained, either. The goal is to deepen your connection. Leave the door open Yes, a thank you note is a type of follow up, but it’s also a way to build an ongoing relationship. Don’t think of it as a wrap; think of it as an overture. Suggest another get together, a way you might collaborate, or how you can be of help to them down the road. Put a stamp on it I know I referenced this above, but handwriting the note is essential. At a time when so much of our correspondence is crafted on the keyboard and studded with abbreviations, acronyms, and emojis, it’s meaningful to know that someone took the time to sit down and write longform. Beautiful penmanship is not required, but quality is. Splurge on some decent stationery and then make sure your sentiment will fit on the page before you start. If you think this is too old school, I implore you to think again. Thank you notes never go out of style. #tothetop

A generic thank you note won’t get you the job, but a strategic one might. Having recently hired for 2 roles on my team, I can share that only 50% of candidates sent thank you notes. Why are thank you notes important? Let’s review the interview process. You typically get: 30 - 60 minutes with the hiring manager 30 minutes with each of the panelists A handful of behavioral questions that every candidate is answering This means you have very few opportunities to stand out beyond those meetings, but there are ways to do it and the thank-you note is one of them. A thoughtfully crafted thank you note serves multiple purposes: it reiterates your enthusiasm for the role, allows you to highlight key points from your conversation and gives you a unique opportunity to share additional insights that might not have come up in the interview. With each thank you note, you’re able to emphasize how your skills align with the role and demonstrate your proactive, thoughtful approach to the opportunity. One of the best notes I received included a POV on something we discussed. The candidate put together a short summary that was thoughtful, relevant and gave me a glimpse into how that candidate would think on the job. If you want to use your thank you note as a way to stand out, here is the simple framework I recommend: 1. Open with Gratitude: You start each note with a personalized “thank you” that reflects genuine appreciation for the interviewer's time. 2. Highlight Key Takeaways and Enthusiasm: Mention aspects of the conversation that left a positive impression, emphasizing excitement for the role and reiterating specific insights gained during the discussion. 3. Demonstrate Value or Added Insight: Often, you go a step further by sharing relevant experience, insights or even follow-up questions to underscore alignment with the role's needs. This can include frameworks, a vision for the role or addressing challenges raised in the conversation. 4. Express Confidence and Maintain Open Communication: Conclude the note by expressing your continued interest and openness to next steps. What do you think? Thank you notes, yes or no? This is part of my Hiring Manager POV series: real-time reflections while I’m hiring and coaching job seekers through the market. Know someone navigating the job search? Share this with them!