As if applying for a job and getting an interview isn’t nerve-wracking enough, what about all of those thoughts running through your mind after the actual interview? Even if you thoroughly prepared for your interview questions, and executed them well throughout the interview, sometimes you can’t help but think of all of the things you didn’t say. Did you really reinforce your desire for the position? Did this potential employer truly understand how qualified you are? Well, NOW is the perfect time to write a strategic follow-up letter. Our expert staffers at Exact Staff have a few tips on writing follow-up letters based on your interview:

You might have forgotten to say something important. We all have those moments where the perfect thought is in our head, but for whatever reason it doesn’t quite make it into the course of the interview. This is a good time to write that thought in the follow-up letter. That extra thought might be the reason you’re hired.

Perhaps during the interview your interviewer voiced a concern. This may be your opportunity to bring it up again in a well thought out review. Express your understanding for the concern, but assure the interviewer that you are a great fit for the position by citing examples and specific reasons why the concern can be mitigated. Remember that your interviewer wants this to be a good match for you as well as the organization and your taking the time to explain why you continue to be the exact match for the position is a smart follow up plan.

You could also be writing this letter just to say thank you for your interviewer’s time. Whether the interview went smoothly or not, showing the courtesy of appreciating someone’s time spent is an exceptionally smart decision and a way to be memorable. While you don’t know how well the competition performed, this extra effort could be the important strategic effort that gets you the job. In your thank you recap the top qualities you will bring to the position. Use the information you learned during the interview (possibly about the department, company, etc.) and assure the interviewer your qualities will benefit the overall organization. Another way to write the thank-you is to take information you learned about the company and opportunity in the interview then let the interviewer know how much more interested you have become in the position.

Just remember, the follow-up letter is more than a thank-you, it’s a strategic sales tool. It’s time for you to promise to deliver and sell the company on the idea of you and the vital talent/skills you bring to their organization. It’s the final, and one of the most important steps in the job search process. For more information on writing a stand out follow-up letter, contact your friends at Exact Staff.