The Power of Saying Thank You: How to Show Gratitude After an Informational Interview

The Power of Saying Thank You: How to Show Gratitude After an Informational Interview

Have you ever had an informational interview with someone who shared their insights, advice, and connections with you? If you have, then you know how valuable it is to have someone willing to invest their time and expertise in your success. One way to show your appreciation is by saying thank you. This simple act of gratitude can create a lasting impression and make all the difference. In this article, we’ll explore the power of saying thank you after an informational interview and how to do it effectively.

The Benefits of Saying Thank You

Saying thank you is more than just good manners; it can have a positive impact on your career development. Here are a few reasons why expressing gratitude after an informational interview is so important.

1. It Shows Appreciation: When you take the time to say thank you, you’re acknowledging the value of someone else’s time and expertise. It shows that you appreciate the effort they put into speaking with you.

2. It Leaves a Lasting Impression: In today’s busy world, it’s easy to forget people and conversations. However, when you say thank you, you’re creating a lasting impression that can keep you top of mind.

3. It Builds Relationships: Saying thank you can help you build relationships. It shows that you’re someone who values connections and is willing to put in the effort to maintain them.

How to Say Thank You

Now that you know the benefits of saying thank you, let’s explore how to do it effectively. Here are a few tips to keep in mind.

1. Follow Up with a Thank You Email: Within 24-48 hours of your informational interview, send a thank you email. Make sure it’s personalized and expresses genuine gratitude.

2. Be Specific: In your thank you email, be specific about what you appreciated most about the interview. This shows that you were paying attention and took something valuable away from the conversation.

3. Add Value: Offer something of value in return. This could be a link to an article or resource that’s relevant to the person you spoke with, or an introduction to someone in your network who could be of help to them.

Examples of Effective Thank You Emails

Here are a few examples of effective thank you emails:

Dear [Name],

Thank you so much for taking the time to speak with me earlier today. I really appreciate your insights and advice on how to break into the marketing industry. Your advice on the importance of networking and developing a personal brand really resonated with me.

I wanted to follow up with a resource that I think you’ll find helpful. It’s an article written by [Industry Expert] on the latest marketing trends for 2021. I hope you find it as useful as I did.

Once again, thank you for your time and expertise. I look forward to staying in touch.

Best,
[Your Name]

Dear [Name],

Thank you for taking the time to speak with me yesterday about your experience as a software engineer. I found your insights on the importance of continuous learning and staying up to date with emerging technologies incredibly valuable.

I wanted to follow up with a connection that I think could be helpful to you. I recently met someone at a tech meetup who works for [Company Name], and I think they could be a great contact for you. Would you like me to make an introduction?

Thank you again for your time. It was a pleasure speaking with you, and I hope we can keep in touch.

Best,
[Your Name]

Conclusion

Saying thank you is a simple yet powerful way to show your appreciation after an informational interview. By acknowledging the value of someone else’s time and expertise, you can leave a lasting impression and build valuable relationships. Remember to personalize your thank you email, be specific about what you appreciated most, and offer something of value in return. With these tips in mind, you can show your gratitude effectively and develop meaningful connections that can benefit your career in the long term.