How To Write Panel or Group Interview Thank-You Letters
Updated March 10, 2023
We discuss signs if an interview went well and offer ways to help you determine if your interviewer thinks you're the right fit for the position.
Image description
"Thank You Letter Format" is the title of this infographic that shows an image of an example letter.On the left side of the infographic, a numbered list points to each section of the email:
- Start with a greeting.
- Share your gratitude with specific examples.
- Include any details from your conversations.
- Close with any additional thoughts or information.
- End with a polite closing.
What is a panel or group interview thank-you letter?
A panel or group interview thank-you letter is a note of appreciation you send after meeting with for an interview. Although panel and group interviews are different, it is important to follow up after each with a professional thank-you letter. Doing this demonstrates your gratitude and genuine interest in the position, can help you be more memorable, offers another opportunity to promote yourself and maintains communication with the interviewers.Group vs. panel interview
A panel interview is an interview format with several interviewers and one candidate. In a panel interview, each interviewer will ask questions from their unique background that pertains to their role at the company. The panel is typically made up of people from teams you will be working with in the position. Panel interviews are typically used to get in-depth information about the candidate from several different perspectives for an important or competitive role.Read more: How To Succeed in a Panel Interview: Tips and Example QuestionsBecause a panel interview consists of multiple interviewers, you have more people to impress. A panel interview thank-you letter provides a simple but effective way to express gratitude to all the individuals you met with. It’s best to create individual thank-you letters or emails for each participating interviewer. . For this to be successful, it is important to collect their contact details so you can send a befitting thank-you letter after the interview.For panel interview thank-you letters, it’s advisable to include unique angles from the conversations you had with each interviewer. That creates more connection and shows your genuine level of interest in the position. Since all the interviewers have a say in the hiring decision, this gives you more leverage to get the role.A group interview is a meeting format with several candidates and one interviewer and is often used when employers are looking to hire for more than one position on a short timeline. This interview style can often be found in industries like food service, retail and hospitality. If you are applying for a seasonal retail job over the holidays, for example, you will likely be asked to join a group interview so they can staff up quickly.For group interviews, you typically only need to send one thank-you letter as it’s common for there to be one interviewer and many candidates however, you should send individual thank-you letters in the circumstance that there is more than one interviewer. With group interview thank-you letters, it’s advisable to include unique angles for the conversations you had with the interviewer, but it’s okay to also speak to information you discovered through the interviewer interacting with other candidates. As there are multiple candidates for the interviewer to remember it’s important to make yourself stand out in your thank-you letter. This is a good opportunity to jog the interviewer's memory of you and further promote yourself. Read more: How To Succeed at a Group InterviewHow to write an impressive panel or group interview thank-you letter
A panel or interview thank-you letter allows you to provide more clarity on issues you did not elaborate upon and show your passion for the role.Here are seven key steps to write a great panel or group interview thank-you letter:- Get contact information
- Create a simple and appropriate subject line
- Personalize your salutation
- Show your appreciation in the opening paragraph
- Reference something unique to that interviewer
- Reiterate your qualifications in the body
- Restate your interest in the conclusion
- Use a professional signature
1. Get contact information
You can send thank-you letters by mail or email. While handwritten thank-you letters offer a personal touch, they can take days for the interviewer to receive. The hiring process can move quickly so it’s recommended to always send a thank-you email, even if you decide to also send a handwritten letter. Consider asking for the interviewer's business cards with contact information at the end of the interview. If you are unable to obtain the interviewer’s contact information, consider asking the recruiter you’re working with for their email addresses or looking on the company website. It may be the case where the interviewers are not comfortable sharing their contact information. In this situation, email the recruiter, or your point of contact at the company, individual thank-you letters and ask them to kindly forward along to the interviewers.Related: Follow-Up Email Examples for After the Interview2. Create a simple and appropriate subject line
Emailed panel or group interview thank-you letters require a subject line. Use a specific subject line that is captivating and include keywords related to the position to show the reader your letter's purpose. For example, the subject line can say “Thank-You Letter | Assistant Financial Analyst.”3. Personalize your salutations
Keep your salutation simple and accurate. Be sure you are addressing each interviewer correctly. Check their titles, and don't assume gender pronouns. “Hello [Interviewer name]” or “Dear [Interviewer name]” is ideal for most thank-you notes. Remember to use the name that your interviewer provided when you met, which may be a first name or a title. Double-check the spelling of their name to show you have attention to detail. Related: How To Write a Professional Email4. Show your appreciation in the opening paragraph
This is where you can show your gratitude for the opportunity to speak with the interviewer. You can do this by thanking them for the time and effort they put forth for the interview. Related: Guide to Thank-You Notes5. Reference something unique to that interviewer
To create more rapport, mention a unique point the interviewer made at the interview. This reflects your active interest in the process and can give each person more reasons to consider you. For example, you may reference a specific point this interviewer made, or story they shared that resonated with you.6. Reiterate your qualifications in the body
The body of your letter is your opportunity to remind your interviewers of your qualifications. This segment can be one or two paragraphs that show your role-relevant selling points. Keep your tone professional but let it reflect the culture of the organization.It's best to individualize the content to the reader. For example, write a short letter if you know the person has a busy schedule. You can reiterate your passion for the company and mention the specific skills and experiences that qualify you for the role. If you think you didn't make your case strongly enough at the interview, use this section to better articulate your ideas.7. Restate your interest in the conclusion
Finish your letter with another brief thank you. Reemphasize your interest in the role and show your readiness to deliver if hired. You can reference a time frame for a follow-up if the hiring manager mentioned a specific period during the interview. Otherwise, let them decide when to get back to you.8. Use a professional signature
Use a professional sign off appropriate for the company's culture. Most people sign off with "Sincerely," or "Regards," followed by their first and last name. If you are emailing the thank-you letter, include your contact details below your signature.Get recommendations for your resume in minutes
Panel or group interview thank-you letter examples
Below you’ll find an example of a written and emailed panel or group interview thank-you letter.Written panel or group thank-you letter example
Here is a template for a panel or group thank-you letter that you might physically mail to your interviewers.Clement Henderson132 Skylark Avenue
Rochester, NY 22321
clement.henderson@gmail.com
October 10, 2018Phillip Bayer
Sales Manager
Suite 21, Fortune Towers
Chesapeake City, NY 45671Dear Phillip,Thank you for taking the time to meet with me regarding the Assistant Sales Manager position in your company. Your explanation of the firm's new market research strategy, including the steps you are taking to use video and immersive technologies to deliver a store-like experience to online shoppers has deepened my interest in joining your team.In my current position, I helped design and implement the company's social media campaign and created a system for the adoption of 3D video for the display of our gift and jewelry merchandise, resulting in a 53% increase in sales in the last quarter of the first year.I am grateful to you and your team for taking the time to meet me and discuss your division's plans for the future. You can contact me with questions about the position at your convenience. I look forward to hearing from you soon.Sincerely,Clement Henderson
Email panel or group thank-you letter example
Here is an example of a panel or group thank-you email sent via email:Subject Line: Thank You | Marketing ManagerDear Sharon,I appreciate the time you spent with me yesterday to explain the marketing manager position. It provided me with the opportunity to learn about how your team designs and optimizes its digital marketing campaigns. I loved hearing your explanation of the innovative ways you are using voice search to increase content visibility.Our discussions furthered my interest in joining your team. I believe this role is the best move for my career, as the position fits with my expertise and career goals. I have extensive experience with multimedia marketing and successfully organized 12 product launches that exceeded the sales department's projections.I can also manage large teams and coordinate multiple projects from ideation to delivery. I believe my skills would add immense value to the division.Thank you again for your time. Please feel free to contact me for any information at your convenience. I hope to hear from you soon.Regards,Alice Walkeralice.walker@gmail.com
(555) 555-5555
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