Are Post-Interview Thank-You Notes Dead?

A viral discussion on social media has divided professionals over the relevance of post-interview thank-you notes. The debate was sparked by Alex Lieberman, an entrepreneur who cofounded Morning Brew, Tenex, and Storyarb. He expressed surprise that the majority of candidates he interviews fail to send thank-you notes, a practice he considers a fundamental part of professional etiquette.

While some industry leaders agree that follow-ups are essential, others argue that the practice is outdated. The conversation has expanded to include broader changes in workplace culture, including the impact of the pandemic on communication norms and the shifting power dynamics in the job market. With nearly 500 comments on the original post, it is clear that there is no consensus on this issue.

The conversation began when Alex Lieberman took to X to share his frustration with modern interview habits. He noted that in the past, failing to send a thank-you email was considered a "faux pas" that resulted in "instant disqualification." His post quickly garnered attention, accumulating nearly 500 comments from hiring managers, recruiters, and job seekers alike.

Reactions to his statement were immediate and polarized. Many users agreed with Lieberman, describing the thank-you note as "interviewing 101." However, a significant number of respondents pushed back, arguing that the practice has lost its relevance in the current digital landscape.

Among those who weighed in was Matt Grimm, a cofounder of Anduril. He strongly disagreed with the necessity of the practice, stating:

"I've never not once cared about a thank you email or not... Completely irrelevant"

Conversely, Dave Christison offered the opposing view, suggesting that a lack of follow-up sends a clear negative signal to a potential employer.

"If they don’t follow up they don’t care about the job, easy signal"

Many commenters pointed to the COVID-19 pandemic as the primary catalyst for changing professional norms. As interviews shifted to remote formats, the traditional cues associated with in-person interactions began to fade. One user noted that the pandemic was "the turning point for humanity changing how we interact with others."

The shift to remote work has made the hiring process feel less personal to some. Tina Sindwani commented on the bureaucratic nature of modern hiring, noting that the process has become "highly bureaucratic and robotic." She suggested that the sheer volume of applications candidates submit makes it difficult to focus on traditional etiquette.

The discussion also referenced broader economic shifts:

• The Great Resignation following the pandemic, where labor shortages gave job seekers the upper hand.
• The subsequent Big Stay and Great Frustration, where power dynamics shifted back to employers.

These economic cycles have influenced how both parties view the hiring process, with some arguing that the transactional nature of the current market renders formalities unnecessary.

Despite the arguments against them, some leaders believe thank-you notes still hold value. Austin Hughes, cofounder and CEO of software company Unify, admitted that sending a note might feel like "sending a message into the void" in the current market. However, he emphasized that it remains a distinguishing factor.

"But it 100% still stands out every single time someone does it and should be basic etiquette"

Others, however, view the practice as disingenuous. One commenter argued that the transaction is simple and requires no extra fluff:

"I never did it because it felt fake. You need an employee, I need a job, who are we kidding here"

Ultimately, the debate underscores a tension between maintaining traditional standards of professionalism and adapting to a faster, more impersonal digital hiring environment.

The question of whether to send a post-interview thank-you note remains unanswered, with valid arguments on both sides. For hiring managers like Alex Lieberman, it is a sign of respect and interest that should not be overlooked. For others, it is a relic of a pre-digital era that holds little weight in today's competitive market.

As the job market continues to evolve, influenced by remote work and shifting economic power, professional etiquette will likely continue to change. Candidates must weigh the potential benefits of a traditional follow-up against the reality of how modern hiring processes function.