Following up with an employer after an interview is standard practice these days. A good thank-you note helps you leave an impression, shows that you’ve taken something away from your conversation, and gives you an opportunity to make one last self-pitch before the hiring manager makes a decision. But if you’ve already interviewed, followed up, and have been informed that you were not the top choice for the position—then what?

It can be crushing to be rejected for a position you feel that you’re perfectly qualified for. This is especially true if you were clearly a top contender for the role or went through an extensive qualifying process only to be turned down. But whether you’ve been on only one interview or several, if you feel that you and the company would make a good fit, be sure to follow up one more time by sending  a final thank-you note. Doing so will continue to keep you in the employer’s mind and, if you approach the letter correctly, leave contact open for future opportunities. But in order to write a genuine note, you have to avoid the resentment many feel when rejected for a position they really wanted. Instead, take some time to do the following:

• Understand that the rejection is not personal
• Remove your pride from the situation
• Consider that your services could be better suited to a different position with the company

When you’re ready, think about what you want to include in this note. This is different from the initial follow-up note since the employer has already made their decision, but it should be no less courteous. In fact, consider opening the letter by  thanking them for notifying you of their decision—after all, many companies do not, and often cannot, follow up with all the candidates who didn’t make it past the interviewing process.

Then, be sure to include these points in your own unique (and professional!) way:

• Thank them again for taking the time to meet with you
• Reiterate how much you would like to work for their company and why you think you would work well together
• Ask how you can go about remaining a candidate for future positions

Most employers will appreciate this type of gratitude and initiative and will be inclined to help you if they can, especially if you impressed them during the interview process. If they have no way of assisting you in future candidacy, simply continue to apply to positions you are interested in and know that your extra effort has likely casted you in a great light for future opportunities.

Have you ever submitted a final thank-you note? Has it helped you in any way? If not, try it out next time—it could just land you a position down the line!