The 8 things recruiters say should be in a thank-you note

This is your last chance to make a good impression. Use it wisely.

By Dominique Rodgers, Monster contributor

If you’ve reached the stage of your job search where you’re sending thank-you notes, you’re almost at the finish line—but don’t get complacent. A thank-you note is a critical opportunity to seal the deal, so you need to get it right. That means no generic "thanks" will do; you need to make the reader feel special. Monster asked experts to weigh in on what they like to see in a thank-you email to a recruiter. Take this advice, and you’ll thank us later. (And yes, we expect a card.)

1. The words “thank you”

“A thank-you email to a recruiter should be sincere and should tell the interview team why their time invested was well worth it. It is not a time to name drop or schmooze with insincere general comments. These thank-you notes get thrown away.” —Heather Kinzie, chief operating officer of the Strive Group in Anchorage, Alaska

2. Sincerity

“Genuine notes are the best notes, and I save them for my smile file, to look back at on days that aren’t so great to remind myself why I do what I do.” —Kristina Minyard, program manager at Ignite–Fueling Innovation in Huntsville, Alabama

3. A bit about what you learned

“I like it when a candidate specifically mentions something they learned about our company while interviewing and how excited they are about that new piece of information.” —Minyard

4. Enthusiasm for the job

“This is a very important step, and yet many candidates overlook it. Tell your interviewer, again, that you are interested in working there, and why: ‘I'd be delighted to join XYZ company.’ Be specific.” —Tammy Colson, owner of TalentCrib in Cleveland

5. Reasons why you’ll be a great fit

“I like to see that a person has thought about the job as described in the interview and reiterates both their interest in the position and an ability to tie their qualifications to the role.” —Mary Faulkner, senior advisor at IA human resources consultants, based in Colorado

6. Something new about you

“I like to see something not revealed in the interview. The thank-you note should include a new question or point you missed mentioning when we spoke. This shows you put some thought into your responses even after you left. If it’s missing, that’s a red flag.” —Mike Smith, founder of Salescoaching1 in Windermere, Florida

7. Proof the conversation stayed with you

“It's great to see specific references to the discussion that took place in the interview. This demonstrates an attention to detail and a recollection of the specific conversation.” —Frank Zupan, director of talent management at Associated Materials in Cleveland

8. Correct spelling

“I like seeing my name spelled correctly. It’s Erin, not Eric. And Stevens, not Stephens. Details matter.” —Erin Stevens, corporate recruiter with MasterBrand Cabinets in Louisville, Kentucky

Job search etiquette

A thank-you email to a recruiter is just one of the pieces that make up the job search puzzle. You must get a hiring manager's attention, display your skills and experience, and demonstrate the value you'd bring to a company. Yeah—all of that. Could you use some help? Join Monster for free today. As a member, you'll get interview insights, career advice, and job search tips sent directly to your inbox. You'll learn how to fine-tune your resume, nail the interview, and negotiate the offer. (You can send us a thank-you note when you get the job.)