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Confidence / Confidence at Work / Lesson 07
LESSON 07 · CONFIDENCE AT WORK

Follow Up With a Winning Note

Thirty-two easy ways to follow up with a winning note, so you stay in their mind in a warm and professional way.

A thank-you note sets you apart. Short, warm and quick.

40 tipsEasy things to say7-day plan
Start with tip 1
Jump to the 7-day plan

40 tips that really help

These ideas come from Lean In (Sheryl Sandberg), The Confidence Code (Katty Kay and Claire Shipman), Never Split the Difference (Chris Voss), and everyday practice. Pick one tip and try it today.

Photo for the tip: Follow up with a winning note
TIP 1

Follow up with a winning note

A short thank-you after an interview keeps you fresh in mind and shows professionalism. Send it within 24 hours. Keep it warm, specific and brief, and use it to reinforce one key point or fix a small gap.

TRY THIS
Write a four-sentence thank-you note for your last or next interview.
Photo for the tip: Send within 24 hours
TIP 2

Send within 24 hours

Prompt.

TRY THIS
Set a reminder.
Photo for the tip: Use a clear subject
TIP 3

Use a clear subject

“Thank you – [Role]”.

TRY THIS
Write.
Photo for the tip: Address by name
TIP 4

Address by name

Spelling.

TRY THIS
Check.
Photo for the tip: Open with thanks
TIP 5

Open with thanks

“Thank you for your time.”

TRY THIS
Write.
Photo for the tip: Mention something specific
TIP 6

Mention something specific

From the conversation.

TRY THIS
Add.
Photo for the tip: Reinforce your fit
TIP 7

Reinforce your fit

One sentence.

TRY THIS
Add.
Photo for the tip: Add a missing point
TIP 8

Add a missing point

If needed.

TRY THIS
Add.
Photo for the tip: Close warmly
TIP 9

Close warmly

“I look forward to hearing from you.”

TRY THIS
Add.
Photo for the tip: Keep it short
TIP 10

Keep it short

Under 120 words.

TRY THIS
Trim.
Photo for the tip: Send to each interviewer
TIP 11

Send to each interviewer

Personalise slightly.

TRY THIS
Draft.
Photo for the tip: Ask for next steps
TIP 12

Ask for next steps

If unclear.

TRY THIS
Add.
Photo for the tip: Offer more info
TIP 13

Offer more info

“Happy to provide…”

TRY THIS
Add.
Photo for the tip: Avoid desperation
TIP 14

Avoid desperation

Calm.

TRY THIS
Edit.
Photo for the tip: Avoid repeating your CV
TIP 15

Avoid repeating your CV

Short.

TRY THIS
Trim.
Photo for the tip: Avoid sending too many
TIP 16

Avoid sending too many

One note.

TRY THIS
Stop.
Photo for the tip: Wait a week
TIP 17

Wait a week

Then follow up politely.

TRY THIS
Schedule.
Photo for the tip: Follow up again
TIP 18

Follow up again

Short and kind.

TRY THIS
Draft.
Photo for the tip: Scene: a panel
TIP 19

Scene: a panel

Send individual notes.

TRY THIS
Collect emails.
Photo for the tip: Scene: a recruiter
TIP 20

Scene: a recruiter

Thank them too.

TRY THIS
Send.
Photo for the tip: Scene: no reply
TIP 21

Scene: no reply

Wait; follow up once.

TRY THIS
Wait.
Photo for the tip: Scene: a rejection
TIP 22

Scene: a rejection

Thank them; ask for feedback.

TRY THIS
Send.
Photo for the tip: Scene: an offer
TIP 23

Scene: an offer

Respond with thanks.

TRY THIS
Reply.
Photo for the tip: Scene: a networking chat
TIP 24

Scene: a networking chat

Send thanks the same day.

TRY THIS
Send.
Photo for the tip: Scene: a coffee with a mentor
TIP 25

Scene: a coffee with a mentor

Thank them with a result later.

TRY THIS
Update.
Photo for the tip: Scene: a phone screen
TIP 26

Scene: a phone screen

Short thanks.

TRY THIS
Send.
Photo for the tip: Scene: a video interview
TIP 27

Scene: a video interview

Same.

TRY THIS
Send.
Photo for the tip: Scene: an internal interview
TIP 28

Scene: an internal interview

Thank them.

TRY THIS
Send.
Photo for the tip: Use handwritten notes
TIP 29

Use handwritten notes

Rare, memorable.

TRY THIS
Optional.
Photo for the tip: Use LinkedIn
TIP 30

Use LinkedIn

Connect politely.

TRY THIS
Send.
Photo for the tip: Use a template
TIP 31

Use a template

Customise.

TRY THIS
Save.
Photo for the tip: Use a calendar
TIP 32

Use a calendar

Track follow-ups.

TRY THIS
Add.
Photo for the tip: Use gratitude
TIP 33

Use gratitude

Genuine.

TRY THIS
Feel it.
Photo for the tip: Use positive language
TIP 34

Use positive language

Enthusiastic.

TRY THIS
Check.
Photo for the tip: Reflect
TIP 35

Reflect

What did I learn?

TRY THIS
Note.
Photo for the tip: Keep connections
TIP 36

Keep connections

Stay in touch.

TRY THIS
Share an article.
Photo for the tip: Be patient
TIP 37

Be patient

Hiring takes time.

TRY THIS
Keep applying.
Photo for the tip: Seek help
TIP 38

Seek help

Coaching.

TRY THIS
Consider it.
Photo for the tip: Celebrate
TIP 39

Celebrate

You followed up.

TRY THIS
Mark it.
Photo for the tip: Close with grace
TIP 40

Close with grace

Say, “Gratitude gets remembered.”

TRY THIS
Write it.

Easy things to say

When you are stuck, pick one of these. They work in many everyday situations.

THANK

“Thank you for meeting me today.”

RECALL

“I enjoyed hearing about your team.”

LINK

“I am excited about the project you described.”

ADD

“I have attached my portfolio.”

CLOSE

“I look forward to hearing from you.”

SIGN

“Warm regards.”

Your first week

One small action a day. Each day is only a little bigger than the last.

DAY 1
Send within a day
DAY 2
Use a clear subject
DAY 3
Thank them
DAY 4
Mention one detail
DAY 5
Restate your interest
DAY 6
Keep it short
DAY 7
Check for typos

Further reading

  • Lean In (Sheryl Sandberg)
  • The Confidence Code (Katty Kay and Claire Shipman)
  • Never Split the Difference (Chris Voss)

The tips above are written in our own words and are general guidance. The books are suggestions for further reading.

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These lessons share general learning and everyday ideas. They are not medical or mental health advice. If you feel very anxious, low or unwell, please talk to a doctor or a qualified professional.

More lessons in “Confidence at Work”

Keep going. Small steps every day make a big change.

← Previous: Recover From a Bad AnswerNext: Speak in the First Ten Minutes →

  1. Prepare Your Three Stories
  2. Answer "Tell Me About Yourself" Well
  3. Handle the Question You Fear
  4. Ask Great Questions Back
  5. Talk About Your Strengths Without Bragging
  6. Recover From a Bad Answer
  7. Follow Up With a Winning Note
  8. Speak in the First Ten Minutes
  9. Prepare One Point Before Every Meeting
  10. Disagree With a Colleague Kindly
  11. Handle Being Interrupted
  12. Share Credit and Claim Yours
  13. Speak Up in a Big Group
  14. Look Confident in Video Meetings
  15. Ask for Feedback Regularly
  16. Receive Criticism Without Crumbling
  17. Ask for a Raise With Evidence
  18. Share Ideas Without Fear
  19. Say No to Extra Work Politely
  20. Report Problems Early
  21. Show Your Value Every Month
  22. Introduce Yourself in a New Team
  23. Make Friends at Work
  24. Ask for Help Without Shame
  25. Handle a Difficult Colleague
  26. Stop Being the Office Pushover
  27. Celebrate Others and Be Celebrated
  28. Build Your Reputation Quietly
  29. Take on a Stretch Project
  30. Overcome Impostor Syndrome
  31. Lead Without a Title
  32. Give Your First Presentation
  33. Mentor Someone Newer
  34. Handle a Mistake at Work
  35. Set a Career Goal You Believe In
  36. Learn One New Skill Every Quarter
  37. Network Without Feeling Fake
  38. Say Yes to Opportunities That Scare You
  39. Protect Your Energy and Balance
  40. Your Confidence at Work Plan
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