Stop using the same thank you email for every job interview

I noticed at my last job at a small marketing firm that nearly all the candidates we rejected sent basically identical thank you notes. Just generic stuff like 'thanks for your time, I really enjoyed learning about the role.' The one person we actually hired mentioned a specific story the manager told during the interview about their failed product launch last year. She tied it back to her own experience running a similar campaign at her previous company. That little detail made her stand out way more than any perfect resume. Are you customizing your follow-ups with something specific from each chat?

2 comments

2 Comments

reese_perry61mo ago

Might just be me but I've noticed candidates who ask a sharp question during the interview usually write way better follow-ups, since they've already done the hard part of listening.

karenw231mo ago

But is asking one sharp question really a sign they listened, or just a sign they rehearsed one good line ahead of time? A lot of candidates prep questions before the interview, so that "sharp" moment might be something they practiced, not something they picked up from the conversation. And honestly, some of the best follow-up writers I've seen (you know, the ones who dig into the details) barely asked anything during the interview - they were too busy taking mental notes to ask. Plus, a sharp question can be a distraction from actual listening, like they're more focused on sounding smart than understanding. I've also found that quieter candidates often write deeper follow-ups because they waited until after to process everything, not in the moment. So while it sounds good in theory, I'd argue a sharp question can actually be a shortcut that hides weak follow-through.