Candidates who haven’t been involved in the job search recently may be surprised to encounter the sheer number of interviews required by employers. Generally speaking, you can expect between three and five interviews for any given role – although this varies depending on level of the position at hand.
The process starts with a phone screen, typically run by a recruiter or human resources professional. Phone screens run between 15 and 30 minutes and cover high-level information related to your prior roles and culture fit. If you are deemed a good fit for the role, you will move on to meet the hiring manager and potentially the team.
Panel interviews —or interviews with two or more interviewers simultaneously—are a common method that companies use to evaluate candidates. Now that many interviews are done virtually via tools like Zoom and Teams, panel interviews can be conducted more easily than ever before.
With the increasing number of interviews and interviewees, many candidates wonder if thank you letter etiquette has changed. The truth is, thank you letters are more important than ever, especially considering how competitive the current job market is. Thank you letters demonstrate respect, professionalism, and strong communication skills – all crucial skills for any job.
Taking the extra time to send a thank you note to each interviewer will leave a good impression and set you apart from candidates who do not do so. Some positions have hundreds if not thousands of applicants, and only the most engaged will be considered. A thank you letter is more than a common courtesy – it is a strategic move.
The letter doesn’t need to be complicated. Start with expressing your gratitude for the interviewer’s time. You can reiterate any specific skills that make you a good fit for the role or introduce a relevant qualification that you forgot to mention in the interview. Let them know that you’re happy to provide any additional information they need and that you’re looking forward to hearing about next steps.
This thank you letter should be sent via email shortly after the interview. If you don’t have your interviewer’s email address, you can reach out to the initial recruiter and ask for that information. I recommend making it a habit to request contact information at the end of every interview to avoid this issue.
With the correct etiquette, taking the time to send a thank you letter can improve your career prospects and show interviewers that you value their consideration.