How to Write a Thank You Letter After Your Education Job Interview
So right now you're thinking, "Perfect! My cover letter and resume secured a job interview, and the interview went brilliantly. I know they're interested in me and are going to hire me at any moment. I just have to sit back and wait for the offer, right?" WRONG!
Don't stop the campaign yet. It is a known fact that many hiring decisions rest on which candidate sends a thank you letter. Put the situation in perspective. Imagine a hiring manager, undecided between two "equally" qualified candidates. Then, one candidate sends a well-written thank you letter, and the other doesn't. Who do you think will receive the job offer? Not sending a thank you letter would be high on the list of interview mistakes.
Aside from the fact that a thank you letter is a marketing tool, it is common courtesy for job seekers to send a letter to all interviewers. Hiring managers know that those who send a letter are informed and following standard protocol. This practice also conveys manners, enthusiasm, and a positive attitude.
Below Are Excellent Thank You Letter Writing Tips
Timeliness is Important
It is best to write your letter and send it within 24 hours of your interview. So how do you create an effective and distinct thank you letter that will show you remain interested in the position? In an effective thank you letter, there are three or four paragraphs. The best advice is to make sure the letter is unique.
Make sure you address the letter to the person(s) who interviewed you; send the letter to each interviewer as well. Include the interviewer's name, title, organization, and complete mailing address. Ensure correct spelling of all names - if you are unsure of spelling, you may be able to obtain this information from the district's website or secretary/administrative assistant.
Opening Paragraph
Express your appreciation for the interviewer's time and the opportunity to meet or speak on the phone, depending on the type of teacher job interview you had. List the date of the interview and the position you applied for. Introductory examples may include:
- I would like to thank you for meeting and speaking with me on October 13th, 2017. The conversation was very enjoyable and the position of Middle School Language Arts Teacher is of great interest to me. I am confident in my ability to make a positive contribution to your district.
- The telephone interview we had on November 15th, 2017 was very informative, and the position you have available for Third Grade Classroom Teacher is of even greater interest to me as a result. I am certain I will make a wonderful addition to your academic team.
- I would like to show my appreciation for the job interview you held with me on November 2nd, 2017, as well as demonstrate my enthusiasm for the position of High School Math Teacher. Please allow me to reiterate some of the skills and attributes I can bring to your outstanding team.
Second Paragraph
Reinforce your understanding of the job's requirements and emphasize your qualifications. Include any information you forgot to mention in the interview, if necessary, but be brief. For instance, you may wish to include additional information about any research you did after the interview. Express appreciation for any opportunities presented during the interview, such as touring the school, meeting other faculty members, or reviewing specific school situations. Re-emphasize your most important teaching skills and qualifications, and how you expect to contribute to the school or district.
Alternative Format for the Second Paragraph
Instead of using a paragraph format for the main body of your teacher thank you letter, you might choose to use bullet points. These allow you to really highlight and showcase your unique talents, skills, and other qualities you can bring to a school setting.
You may select specific lines from your resume, cover letter, and/or job interview to use in your document. Some examples include:
- A Master of Arts in Education, a Bachelor of Arts in Education, and New Jersey Teaching Certification: Math (6-8) and Science (6-8).
- Over 10 years of expertise teaching a dynamic group of students and bringing learning to life.
- Fifteen years of combined expertise as a special education teacher and regular education teacher.
- Talent for modifying lessons, programs, and assessments to ensure all students have the opportunity to learn and succeed.
- Demonstrated capability to develop creative lesson plans, activities, and assignments to reinforce class participation and 21st century learning.
- Proven ability to collaborate with parents to identify students' diverse goals, needs, and interests, and design a customized and applicable learning program.
- Experience sponsoring extracurricular activities (intramural volleyball, school newspaper), coordinating fundraising activities, and collaborating with members of the local community.
- Extensive professional development with a focus on: classroom management, student engagement, and technology integration.
Third paragraph
Use an additional paragraph if you need to correct any **significant** misunderstanding that may have occurred during the interview. Alternatively, use this paragraph to counter any objection the interviewer raised about an aspect of your background or current situation. Be extremely careful with how you word this information. However, this paragraph may not be applicable to you at all.
Final paragraph
Express continued interest in the position and the school district. For instance, include phrases such as:
- I look forward to speaking with you further to explore this position, as I am convinced that my skills, passion, and education are a perfect match for this exciting opportunity.
- Thank you again for the insightful and energizing interview. I am confident my talents, experience, and motivation are the ideal match for your excellent school district.
- I hope to become an involved and energetic part of your educational program.
- I look forward to becoming an asset to your exceptional teaching team.
If you are planning on attending more interviews, we have an abundance of information on the website related to teacher interviews.
Please reach out to me, if you need help with any stage of your job search. Whether you need assistance to prepare for the interview or resume writing help.