After the conversation wraps up and the post-interview adrenaline fades, many jobseekers wonder: Should I be sending a thank you note? Some see it as an outdated ritual, others as a crucial step in making a lasting impression. The Good Insight team asked several of our experienced search colleagues for their take — and, as you’ll see, opinions vary! But one thing is clear: how (and whether) you say thank you can still shape how you’re remembered.

In today’s recruitment landscape, do thank you notes make a difference? What are some ways candidates can express their gratitude for an interview?

My personal take? They don’t matter. The reality? Some board members and hiring managers still view them as essential. The simple advice: Just send it! Don’t overthink the note; keep it brief and eliminate a low-effort reason for them to pass on you.

Abe Taleb, Equitable Hiring Group

Thank you notes are always a nice touch, but most impactful when they demonstrate that a candidate knows how to seize a moment. What more do you want us to know? What has evolved in your thinking since the interview? What about your whole human self would help us get to know you, and in turn, help you stand out? A concise (i.e. a few sentences) and thoughtful note will show that you are in it and that you know how to close — if you’re sending a one line message to “check a box,” it will show.

Tom O’Connor, TOC Arts Partners

When I first started job searching almost thirty years ago, handwritten and mailed thank you notes were the norm. These days they are rare (though I notice when I get one!) but I do think it is great when people send an email, text or call to say “thank you” after an interview. One person that worked for me a few years ago remembered something non-work related I mentioned in an interview and in her thank you note, referenced that topic (it happened to be pink river dolphins!) and included a picture of them in her email. That made a memorable impression for sure. Going the extra mile to make a personal connection and say thank you is always a good call. 

Christina Greenberg, Edgility Search Partners

Thank you notes DO make a difference, when they are well-leveraged! Thank you notes are best used when they are well-written, specific, and demonstrate a particularly resonant part of the interview. They can also be used to provide one more example or point to demonstrate a candidate’s strengths. 

Melissa Madzel, Do Good Connections

Our take?

A thank you note can be a nice extension of your personal communication style, but I don’t think they aren’t make or break. Meaning, you can show consistency with your interview experience if you’re naturally someone who expresses gratitude, sends little notes as a habit, or has a gift of connecting the dots in writing. But I haven’t seen a hiring manager make the final call based on a thank you note. So I don’t think you should sweat it, but we’re happy to pass them along when you send them!

Carlyn Madden, Good Insight

Whether you’re a firm believer in the thank you note or think it’s a formality past its prime, the key takeaway is clear: recruiters think that your thoughtfulness stands out. A short, sincere message that reflects on your conversation and reinforces your enthusiasm can only help. In a hiring process where small details can make a big difference, gratitude — expressed with intention — never goes out of style.