See a Sample Thank You Letter After a Campus Interview

Sending a thank-you letter after an on-campus interview is a great chance to remind the interviewer of your persistence, your interest, and your qualifications for a job—and it can also be the difference between an offer and a rejection.

Importance of the Thank You Letter

Employers expect to receive thank-you notes from the young applicants they meet on-campus, and if you're not among the candidates that send one to the company, you risk losing the attention of the hiring managers.

According to a CareerBuilder survey, 22% of employers are less likely to hire a candidate who doesn't send a thank-you note after their interview. Surveyed employers stated that skipping the thank-you note can demonstrate that a candidate isn’t serious about the job, and an astounding 86% thought that skipping the thank-you note indicated a lack of follow-through. While this expectation may be unfair given the myriad of other expectations already placed on graduates, this is certainly not the kind of impression you want to make on a potential employer.

What a Thank You Letter Accomplishes

In addition to demonstrating your knack for written communication, a thank-you letter shows that you're excited about a job opportunity, that you follow through on your goals, and that you're grateful for the time that other people spent considering your qualifications. Employers do not offer personal interviews to everyone, and the recruiter who goes to campuses on behalf of the company has a difficult job to fulfill. Thus, it's always polite and appropriate to show your gratitude.

Compose a thank-you letter the same day as your interview, while the references and details of the interaction are still fresh in your mind. Be specific about the parts of the interview that are valuable to your strengths as a candidate, and make sure that the letter sounds personal rather than robotic. Send the letter within 24 hours of the interview so that it arrives before a decision is made; this will refresh the interviewer's memory of your qualifications, while underscoring your proactive, diligent personality.

Thank-You Letter for an On-Campus Interview

Below is an example of a thank-you letter meant to help you craft your reply to an on-campus interview. Remember to customize and personalize the details to demonstrate why you're interested in that particular company. Download the thank-you letter template (compatible with Google Docs and Word Online) or see below for more examples.

Thank You Letter for an On-Campus Interview (Text Version)

Skyler Applicant
123 Main Street
Anytown, CA 12345
555-555-5555
skyler.applicant@email.com

September 1, 2018

Kate Lee
Director, Human Resources
Acme Company
123 Business Rd.
Business City, NY 54321

Dear Ms. Lee,

Thank you for taking the time to meet with me at the SUNY Buffalo Career Fair today. I appreciate your time and attention amidst the throng of students seeking jobs.

You were extremely thorough in explaining Acme Company's IT program. I have researched your company further, I am confident that I would be an asset to your tech department.

My degree is information technology is further bolstered by the fact that I have worked my way through college to pay tuition. I have a strong work ethic and fierce determination, two qualities you mentioned are key to success at Acme.

I look forward to an opportunity to visit your office and speak with you further about this position.

Thank you again for your time and consideration

Sincerely,

Skyler Applicant