Getting Comfortable with AI: Easy-to-Use Tools for Daily Tasks

AI Series 2: AI for Everyone: Unlocking the Potential of Everyday AI Tools

AI Series 3: AI-Powered Job Search: Navigating the Future of Work

Post 1: Creating and tailoring a master resume

Post 2: AI-Powered Job Hunting: Finding the Right Opportunities

Post 3: Preparing for Interviews with AI: Your New Virtual Coach

Post 4: Writing a post-interview thank you with AI

Introduction

Imagine acing an interview, walking out with a spring in your step, only to wonder, “How do I craft a thank-you note that truly captures my personality and professionalism?” Enter AI! In today’s world, AI tools can be your handy sidekick for this task, helping you write a thoughtful, customized thank-you note that leaves a lasting impression. Let’s explore how AI can streamline the process, add polish, and help you express exactly what you want to say—without sounding robotic.

Please note that most thank you notes these days are actually emails – and that is fine. The same tips below apply.

Special bonus! This post contains a prompting tip from the National Genealogical Society’s AI Program Director, so make sure you read through the step-by-step guide below.

Discussion

Why Use AI for Your Thank-You Note?

Using AI to draft a thank-you note offers several advantages:

Saves Time: AI can quickly generate drafts, giving you a base to work from.
Improves Quality: With built-in grammar checks, suggestions, and the ability to personalize, AI helps you create a polished note.
Break Through Writer’s Block: Sometimes, getting started is the hardest part. AI can help inspire and provide fresh ideas.

Whether you’re using a popular tool like ChatGPT, Jasper, or a simpler auto-complete option, AI can help you put together a thank-you that feels genuinely “you.” I personally have had great success writing thank you notes this way.

Step-by-Step Guide to Using AI for Your Thank-You Note

1. Gather Key Points from the Interview

Before you open an AI tool, make a quick list of highlights from the interview. These could be:

Insights or projects the interviewer shared.
Any particular challenges or goals for the role.
A memorable moment or connection during the conversation.

Having these notes handy ensures you’re feeding the AI tool useful details to work with, resulting in a thank-you note that feels genuine and specific.

2. Prompt AI for a Draft

A simple AI prompt can get you a structured draft. Here’s an example:

Write a thank-you note for a [position name] interview at [company name]. Mention excitement about [specific project or topic discussed], emphasize [a skill or strength], and express appreciation for the opportunity.

This approach sets the stage for a note that’s clear, tailored, and ready for quick personalization.

3. Add Personal Touches and Edit for Tone

AI-generated notes are great as a base, but a few tweaks will make them shine. Here’s where you:

Add Personal Details: Use the interviewer’s name, reference specific points from the conversation, and make it feel personal.
Adjust for Tone: AI can sometimes be overly formal or casual. Read through to make sure the tone aligns with how you want to come across—professional but approachable works best for most interviews.

4. Improve it

Steve Little, in a recent blog entry, discusses what he calls a structured prompt or a chain-of-thought prompt. You’re telling the AI to improve itself. His prompt includes:

And do it this way:

A) State your initial assessment and plan.

B) Review and critique your plan.

C) Revise and improve your plan.

D) Execute your plan.

Try it. It’s truly magical. I’ve seen valid self-critiques and appreciably better output using this prompt addition. See my example below with screenshots . A HUGE thank you to Steve for giving permission to share!

Sample AI-Enhanced Thank You Note

Let’s look at a sample thank-you note generated using an AI prompt and refined with personal touches. Replace the placeholder text in [square brackets] with specifics to your situation.

Subject: Thank You for the Opportunity

Hello [Interviewer’s Name],

Thank you for the opportunity to interview for the [Job Title] position at [Company Name]. I enjoyed our conversation about [specific project discussed], and I’m excited about the prospect of contributing to your team. Learning about [any specific challenge or detail] was inspiring, and I believe my experience with [relevant skill or tool] would make a meaningful impact on your goals.

Thank you again for your time and insights. Please let me know if there’s anything further you’d like to discuss. I look forward to the possibility of joining [Company Name]!

Best regards,
[Your Name]

AI Tools to Try for Thank-You Notes

Here are a few tools that can help you draft, edit, and polish your thank-you note:

ChatGPT: For generating customizable drafts with prompts.
Grammarly: Provides tone adjustments, grammar suggestions, and clarity enhancements.
Microsoft Word: Its built-in Copilot has proven very helpful to me.
Jasper: For more elaborate, tone-controlled drafts, Jasper offers tailored prompts specific to job search communication.

AI in Action: A Takeaway Challenge

Here’s a quick exercise to help you get started:

Draft a Thank-You Note: Use an AI tool to generate a draft thank-you note based on a recent interview. I encourage you to use a model where you enter prompts, rather than an out of the box tool, but use whatever works best for you.
Refine It (manually): Add specifics from the interview and adjust the tone to sound like you.
Polish and Send: Use AI grammar checkers for final touches, then send your polished note.

Final Thoughts

AI can be a powerful tool for crafting thank-you notes that hit the right notes—quickly, effectively, and with style. By blending AI-generated structure with your own personal touch, you’ll send a thank-you that leaves a lasting impact. Give it a try. Experiment with different tools and see which fits your style best. Keep the message genuine and uniquely you, while letting AI be your secret weapon for acing the follow-up!

Further Resources

Top Five Artificial Intelligence (AI) to Help You Prepare for the Interview
AI Genealogy Insights blog
BONUS! See my prompt and results in the screenshots below, for the “improve it” tip listed above.

Results:

The first draft looked like:

Its critique and revision plan:

And its final version:

Disclosure

This post was crafted with AI assistance, then refined for readability and personalization.