However, consider following up with a traditional, more formal letter. Sending a personal, handwritten note offers you yet another chance to show your enthusiasm for the position and reinforce the reasons you feel you're a good match.
  
In general, writing a thank you is not only polite but distinguishes you from the competition. In a related survey question, 86 percent of executives said they consider a post-interview thank you helpful when evaluating candidates. But only 39 percent of job applicants actually follow through with this simple courtesy, according to those polled.
  
Notes should be written within a day or two of the interview and sent to everyone with whom you interviewed. Keep your messages brief; emails need be no more than one paragraph and letters just two or three. Express your gratitude, reinforce your interest in the job and recap your strongest selling points. And be sincere; you risk turning people off if you're not, thus diminishing your chances of getting the job.