Thanks for the inputs. Various answers inside (m)

IMO, sending a thank you can have 1 or more positive effects:
1. If it gets down to you and the other candidate, and you're equal. A thank you email could give the slight favor to the thank you sender
2. Some managers look at the process as a series of communication items. And the thank you is one of those. If that is not sent, it shows the candidate doesn't employ a full range of their communication skills when looking for a job... will they do it if they are an employee
3. It simply puts your name back in front of the interviewer. Unless you mis-spell words or have bad grammar, there is little wrong it can do
4. In my case, I've tried to emphasize the importance of follow-up, attention to details, etc. If they can't pick that up with some very big hints about this type of thing, will they be able to pick up the little nuances in every day work

I do absolutely get the poor employer communication back where someone has applied, been interviewed, etc. That should not happen either.

: Why do some job candidates not send thank you emails to the interviewer or hiring manager after an interview?

: I lead a team in my company, and generally hire several people each year. In these roles, the job description and our interviews clearly get across the importance of things like "pays close attention to details", "communicates well with colleagues through the entire project". Things like that. At the end of each interview, we also say, "As you have my email, please feel free to follow up with any questions directly". So, they have the email. They know we are looking for people that attend to key details, etc.

: Are thank you letters so out of mind that people just don't do this anymore? I would say I get about 50% of those interviewed sending thank you's.

: It just seems that if one wants the job bad enough, this is something that is a no brainer. Not only does it show you paid attention to aspects desired for the role... but that you are truly interested in the role.

: Or maybe you have been a candidate and you don't send thank you emails. If so, I'm interested to know why.

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