What should my follow-up or thank you letter look like?

Your follow-up letter or thank you letter should be short. Your letter should have 1-inch margins all the way around the page. Your letter text font should match your résumé’s text font. Lastly, your letter should also follow a business letter format. You have three options:

Block format – the text of the entire letter is left justified (against the left margin)

Click here to see an example of block format on the Purdue OWL.

Modified block – the body text of the letter is left justified, but the date and closing are tabbed to the center point

Click here to see an example of modified block format on the Purdue OWL.

Semi-Block – the body text of the letter is left justified except for the first sentence of the paragraphs. The date and closing are tabbed to the center point

Click here to see an example of semi-block format on the Purdue OWL.

Your follow-up letter should do the following:

• Show the employer you have tailored the letter to the company and to the job you want
• State that you are still interested in the job
• Ask whether or not the employer has received your résumé and cover letter
• Explain that you are waiting to hear what to do next.

Your thank you letter should do the following:

• Show the employer you have tailored the letter to the company and to the job you want
• Thank the employer for your interview
• State that you are still interested in the job
• Ask whether or not the job has been filled
• Explain that you are waiting to hear what to do next.

Click here to download the PDF file containing sample résumés and employment letters.