Grateful Gestures: How to Write a Thank-You Letter After an Informational Interview

Getting an informational interview is a great way to learn about a particular industry, role, or company. But the interview is just the beginning. After you’ve had the opportunity to meet with someone, you’ll want to take the time to reflect on what you learned and write a thank-you letter.

A great thank-you letter shows your appreciation, reiterates your interest in the industry or role, and keeps the lines of communication open. But how do you write a thank-you letter that achieves all of those goals? Here are some tips and tricks for writing a thank-you letter after an informational interview.

Start with a Strong Opening

Your opening sentence should be engaging and show that you were paying attention during the interview. You could start with a sentence like, “I wanted to take a minute to thank you for taking the time to speak with me earlier today,” but that’s too generic. Instead, try something like, “I really appreciated your insights on the current state of the biotech industry and wanted to thank you again for taking the time to speak with me today.”

Reflect on What You Learned

In the body of your letter, it’s important to reflect on what you learned during the interview. This shows that you were engaged in the conversation and that you’re serious about pursuing a career in the industry. Be specific and mention any key takeaways from the interview. For example, you could say, “Your insights into the challenges facing mid-sized companies in the healthcare space were eye-opening. I had no idea that reimbursement issues were such a major concern.”

Reiterate Your Interest

In addition to thanking your interviewer, you’ll want to reiterate your interest in the industry or role. This could be as simple as saying something like, “After speaking with you, I’m more excited than ever about the prospect of pursuing a career in biotech.” Be sure to tie your interest back to something specific that you learned during the interview.

Keep the Lines of Communication Open

Finally, wrap up your letter by mentioning that you’d like to stay in touch. This could be as simple as saying, “I’d love to stay in touch and hear more about your experience in the industry.” You could also mention any upcoming events or conferences that you’ll be attending and suggest meeting up in person.

Conclusion

A great thank-you letter after an informational interview shows your appreciation, reiterates your interest, and keeps the lines of communication open. By starting with a strong opening, reflecting on what you learned, reiterating your interest, and keeping the lines of communication open, you’ll be on your way to building a strong relationship with your interviewer and laying the foundation for future career opportunities.

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