An informational interview is a networking tool, and the follow-up thank-you note transforms that conversation into a lasting professional connection. The note serves as a final demonstration of your professionalism and gratitude for the time and expertise shared by the interviewer. This act of courtesy solidifies the positive impression you created during the discussion.
Why the Thank You Note is Essential
Sending a thank-you note reinforces your professional etiquette and helps distinguish you from others. Most people who conduct informational interviews are busy professionals who dedicated valuable time to an aspiring contact. A thoughtful note demonstrates that you respect the time they invested and genuinely valued their insights.
The message helps build rapport by showing you are courteous and detail-oriented. Expressing gratitude in writing ensures you remain top-of-mind for the interviewer, making it more likely they will consider you for future opportunities or recommend you to their network. This gesture nurtures a professional relationship that can support your career growth.
Timing and Medium: When and How to Send It
The timing of your thank-you message is important. You should aim to send the note within 24 hours of the informational interview to demonstrate promptness and keep the discussion fresh in the recipient’s mind. Sending it the same day is better, especially if the interview occurred in the morning.
Email is the most common and convenient medium for the initial follow-up due to its speed and ease. It allows the recipient to quickly read and acknowledge your message, ensuring a professional close to the interaction. A handwritten card provides a personal touch but takes days to arrive, so it should be considered a supplementary gesture, not a replacement for a timely email.
Anatomy of a Powerful Thank You Message
A professional thank-you note, particularly when sent via email, requires a precise structure. The subject line should be brief and professional, clearly stating the purpose, such as “Thank You – Informational Interview” followed by your name. This clarity ensures the email is opened promptly and not mistaken for spam.
The body of the message must begin with an immediate and sincere expression of gratitude for the interviewer’s time. Following this, you should reconfirm one or two specific key takeaways or insights you gained from the conversation. This demonstrates active listening and engagement, showing the interviewer that their advice was understood.
The closing statement should be forward-looking and professional, establishing a soft “ask” for continued connection without being demanding. This might involve a subtle request to stay in touch or an offer to share an update on your progress in the future. Concluding with a formal sign-off and your contact information, including your LinkedIn profile, completes the professional format.
Crafting the Content: Specificity and Personalization
To move beyond a generic expression of thanks, the core of your message must be highly personalized and specific to the conversation you had. You should reference a particular piece of advice, an anecdote, or an industry insight the interviewer shared that resonated with you. For example, instead of saying, “Your advice was helpful,” you might write, “I especially appreciated your point about the necessity of cross-functional collaboration in product development and how you managed that transition at your company.”
Mentioning a specific action you plan to take based on their recommendation, such as researching a certification or reaching out to a suggested contact, proves you are actively taking their counsel. You can also tailor the message by connecting their career path or company mission back to your own goals. This detailed feedback provides the interviewer with a sense of return on their investment of time and expertise.
Strategies for Long-Term Follow-Up
The initial thank-you note is the first step toward cultivating a long-term professional relationship. After sending the email, immediately connect with the person on LinkedIn, often referencing the conversation in the connection request. This action formalizes the professional tie and keeps you visible in their network.
Long-term follow-up involves periodic, non-intrusive contact to provide relevant updates or offer value. Several months later, you can share an update on your career progress, specifically mentioning how you applied their advice and the positive results. You might also send a short email with a relevant industry article or white paper related to a topic you discussed, showing you continue to think of their work. This approach maintains the connection without being pushy and can eventually lead to a mentorship or referral opportunity.