The One Thing You Should NEVER Say in a Thank You Email After a Job Interview

The moments after a crucial job interview may feel like a sigh of relief or a pang of anxiety. But, no matter how you feel, there’s an important next step: writing a thank you note.

Whether over email or by hand, a thank you note after a job interview is expected nowadays as a basic sign of appreciation. So how do you both stand out and effectively show your gratitude?

Never — never — use your thank you note as an opportunity to ask for a favor.

“It should stand on its own without asking for something. Just pure appreciation,” says Peter Bregman of Bregman Partners, a management consultancy company where he works with CEOs and business leaders. “You can ask for something later.”

Adding a request of any kind could detract from a thank you note’s sincerity and make it seem less authentic. “It just paints you in a bad light if you’re putting them in an awkward position,” adds Jacqueline Whitmore, a business etiquette expert.

A thank you note on its own with no requests for follow-ups or favors could go a long way. Recent research published in Psychology Science shows that people consistently underestimate the power of a thank you note for both the sender and the recipient.

Read the whole story (subscription may be required): TIME