A thank you note sent after an interview to each interviewer is a must; the means of delivery is the question. It can depend on

• The industry
• The company or organization
• The pace of the hiring process
• Your personal preference

In technical industries and some others, a paper thank you note would be seen as outdated, since email is the means of communication used in the hiring process. In other industries (such as the non-profit world) a tasteful, handwritten note may help you stand out among the candidates. In some specific types of work, such as if you are a design professional, a paper thank you note is a chance to show your skills or understanding of the environment.

The thank you note needs to arrive before the hiring decision is made. If you are aware that the process will be slow moving, you may have time for a card to be mailed, arrive, and be delivered to the recipient. If you can’t be sure that the card will be received before a decision is made, use email. This eliminates the risk of the card being found days or weeks later in a scarcely checked mail bin. Also keep in mind that mailing addresses may not be the same as the interview location, and email addresses are typically shared while arranging the interview or on business cards during an interview.

No matter the format, be sincere, original (avoiding templates), and prompt with your appreciation of the time and effort it took to conduct your interview.

See the Career Center for more information on following-up after an interview.