Business English - Lesson 17: Writing Effective Post-Interview Thank-You Notes

Activity 1: Let's Get Started! (Warm-up)

Think about this: After a job interview, do you think it's a good idea to send a message to the interviewer? Why or why not? What would you say in that message?

Activity 2: New Words (Vocabulary)

Here are some new English words. These words will help us talk about writing notes after an interview.

Thank You (note): A short message, often an email, that you send to say thanks after a job interview.

Example: It is a good idea to send a thank you note after your job interview.

Promptly: Quickly, without waiting too long; soon after something happens.

Example: You should send your thank-you note promptly, maybe within 24 hours after the interview.

Appreciation: Showing that you are thankful and value someone's time or help.

Example: Show your appreciation in the note for the interviewer's time and the good conversation.

Interest: Showing again that you really want the job and are excited about the company.

Example: It's good to repeat your interest in the job in your thank-you note.

Key Points: Important things that you talked about or liked during the interview conversation.

Example: Try to mention some key points from your interview discussion in your note.

Professional: Acting and writing in a way that is serious, polite, and right for a work situation.

Example: Sending a well-written thank-you note looks very professional to the company.

Activity 3 (Reading)

Let's read about Maria. She just had a job interview and is now writing a thank-you note.

Maria had a good job interview this morning at a local company. Now, she wants to write a thank you note to the interviewer, Ms. Smith. Maria knows it's important to send this note promptly, so she plans to write and send her email this afternoon, or tomorrow morning at the latest. In her email, Maria will first show her appreciation for Ms. Smith's time and for the chance to learn more about the job and the company. This shows she is grateful.

Next, she will also clearly state her continued interest in the position and explain again why she thinks she is a good fit. Maria thinks about the key points they discussed during the interview. She decides to mention one specific thing they talked about that she found very interesting, perhaps the company's new project they discussed. This will show Ms. Smith that she was listening carefully and remembers their conversation. Maria will make sure her note is short, clear, and has no spelling mistakes. She wants it to look very professional. Maria believes that sending a well-written thank-you note is a small but very important step that can help her get the job. It’s a good way to make a final positive impression on the interviewer.

Think about the story:

Why does Maria want to send her thank-you note promptly?
How will Maria show her appreciation and her interest in the job?
What are some key points Maria might mention, and why is it important for the note to look professional?

Activity 4: Role Play

Read this dialogue with a partner. One person is Ben (who just had an interview), and the other is Lisa (his friend).

Ben: Lisa, I just finished my job interview! It went pretty well, I think. What should I do now? Is there anything else?

Lisa: That's great to hear, Ben! Yes, one important thing you should do is send a thank you note to the interviewer soon.

Ben: Oh, a thank-you note? How promptly do I need to send it? Like, today or tomorrow?

Lisa: Yes, try to send it within 24 hours. It shows you are keen and organized. It's a good way to show your appreciation for their time.

Ben: What should I write in it? Is just saying 'thank you' enough for the interview?

Lisa: It's good to say more than just that. You should also repeat your interest in the job and the company. That's very important.

Ben: Should I try to mention anything specific that we talked about during the interview itself?

Lisa: Yes, that's a very good idea! Mention one or two key points you discussed. It shows you were paying attention and value the conversation.

Ben: Okay, that makes sense. And I should make sure the email looks nice and doesn't have any spelling mistakes, right?

Lisa: Exactly! Keep it short, clear, and very professional. It's another chance to make a good impression on them before they make a decision.

After reading, discuss: Do you think sending a thank-you note as an email is okay for most jobs, or is sending a paper letter always better? Why?

Activity 5: Let's Practice

Objective: Practice using the new vocabulary about writing thank-you notes after an interview.

Scenario: Alex (the learner) is asking his teacher, Ms. Chen, about what he should do after his job interview next week.

Ms. Chen: Alex, after your interview next week, what is a polite and smart thing you can do to show the company you are grateful and still interested?

Alex: I think I should send a note to the interviewer to say thanks for their time, right?

Ms. Chen: Yes, that's a very good idea. And when should you try to send that note? Should you wait a few days?

Alex: No, I should send it , maybe the same day or the next morning at the latest, so they remember me.

Ms. Chen: Perfect. What is the main feeling or message you want to show in your note for the time they spent with you?

Alex: I want to show my for meeting with me and for telling me more about the job and the company.

Ms. Chen: That's very important to include. What else should you make sure to say about the job itself in your note?

Alex: I should say again that I have a strong in the position and that I am excited about the company.

Ms. Chen: Good. To make your note even better and more personal, what could you briefly mention from your actual conversation during the interview?

Alex: I can write about some that we talked about that I found interesting or that matched my skills.

Ms. Chen: Excellent idea! And finally, how should the overall note look and sound to the interviewer?

Alex: It should look neat, be easy to read, and sound very , to show I am serious about working there.

Try to fill in the blanks with appropriate words or phrases from this lesson!