You get to your destination and walk to the door. As you open it, you notice someone not too far behind and hold the door for them. They look at you, walk in, and you never see them again. Not one word exchanged. And there you stand, lacking the gratitude for your selfless act of generosity.

Chances are, you’ll never see that person again, but for the next 5 to 10 minutes, their rudeness will leave a bitter taste in your mouth and a skewered opinion of the person, stranger or not. While holding the door for someone only represents a miniscule portion of your life, courtesy does go a long way. So why wouldn’t you write a thank you note to someone who took the time out of their busy day to interview you? Some people let their resumes and qualifications speak for themselves, but if the employer of a company was holding the door and giving you the opportunity to enter, wouldn’t you say thank you? Here are a few things to keep in mind next time you’re debating whether or not to write a thank you letter:

Leave a Lasting Impression

Typically, you’re not going to be the only person interviewing for the position. A thank you note allows you to stay fresh in your interviewer’s head and, the sooner you send it, the better. If two people interview you, you should always personalize the note by remembering to mention your interviewer’s name throughout the letter. The last thing you want is to have the two people you interviewed with receive the same exact note and share them with each other. It’s a lazy short cut that doesn’t exactly scream commitment. To be sure of this, cite specific tidbits/questions that came up throughout the interview.

Fill in the Blanks

A thank you note is the perfect opportunity to clear up anything you might have been vague about while being interviewed. For most people, perfect interviews are often few and far between (and most interviewers know this), so the thank you note presents you with the perfect opportunity to clear up any questions you may have stumbled on. A thank you note also acts as a good forum to reiterate the qualities that make you a viable candidate and mention anything you forgot to bring up during the interview. Make your points, but remember to be brief! 

Make One Last Self-Pitch

Whether it is an e-mail or a letter, make sure whatever you’re sending is well written, organized, and composed. Not only is this is a chance to show your persistence and commitment to the employment possibility, it also gives you the opportunity to display your writing abilities. A well thought-out and clean message shows the employer that you’re not afraid to put your name to your work.

Know You’ve Made a Full Effort

Interviews are stressful, and waiting for the results can be even worse. Writing a thank you note can help mitigate your anxiety because it is the final step in what can be a long process. In fact, once it is sent, you have essentially done everything in your power to prove your eligibility for the job. With that, it’s out of your hands and up to your qualifications to do the rest of the talking!