I had an interview last week and I was thinking to follow up with a thank you later to thank the people hosting me in the lab and also to restate my interest in the position. How do you normally structure these letters? Is there anything I should be careful of? I know i should make it a bit personal and add specific things mentioned in the interview but apart from this any other advice?

How do you know this? I've heard of such a thing.... contacting interviewers after an interview? I suggest not.
The only thing you should be careful of is not to accidentally post it walking past pillar-boxes.

It's a nice touch but will not get you the role.

I would leave it until after the decision has been made and then it may lead you to extend your network.

You should not make it personal, thank them for the opportunity, their time, wish them luck in the future and the possibility of connecting.

You may do 'business' in the future. The person they offer the role to may not last and you'll then be top of their list etc

I think it's a quite a common thing, especially in the US, and maybe once you have a had one of their 2-3 day interview things, rather than the quick one hour for a PhD/postdoc interview.

http://www.jobs.ac.uk/careers-advice/working-in-higher-education/2266/sending-a-thank-you-note-after-an-academic-interview

Just to clarify some things. I am now waiting for their decision if they hire me or not. I had one day long interviews. I thought it´s good idea to say a thank you for their time whatever the outcome and also confirm my interest on the position. By adding some personal datails I mean to write about things mentioned during the interview and of course strictly work related. Sorry if my first message was confusing. So would you still send such an email and is it common to do so?

I don't think it's very common in the UK. I didn't do it for my PhD or postdoc, and no-one has ever told me they've done it either.

Personally I wonder what difference it makes. Whenever I've interviewed people, I knew within the first few minutes whether I was going to give them a job or not (and the people I have employed have been good employees, and the ones I advised other people not to hire have been terrible!), so a follow up thank you would make no difference for me.

If it was difficult to choose a candidate, then I guess it may be beneficial, but I would imagine they have made up their minds by now anyway.

I doubt it can harm, but there's only a slight possibility it may help, IMO.

Joanna - are you based in the UK? I'm UK and I've never heard of anyone doing this, and my feelings echo those of ToL. This may be more common in other countries, however.

Sorry we can't help you much. Maybe someone else can shed some light....

thank you all very much for the advice. i thought about it and although it may be a good idea to say thank you for the time etc i don´t want to sound desperate or too pushy. Especially since I have the gut feeling they liked me during the interview and I believe i have chances to get the position. I hope it´s a good decision. As ToL said they should have made their decision by now. Ahh this waiting kills me.

Hi Joanna,

I would actually recommend a thank you note, although not a week past the interview. Usually the next day is the best time to send one through.

I know it might 'appear' pushy but it's becoming common practice. I don't have any research or data to support a contention that it does/does not help with the decision making process, but on the whole, it's a polite thing to do.

I had an interview back in July on a Thursday, and the following day (Friday) I sent an email to the HR person at the interview and requested that it be forwarded to other members of the panel. I didn't reiterate my interest in the role. I instead thanked them for their time, that I enjoyed meeting with them and discussing the project and the research centre more broadly.

By Tuesday morning, I had a phone-call from the chair offering me the role, which I've now been at for over a month.

I don't have any evidence as to whether the thank you note helped, hindered or did nothing in that instance.

Gut feelings can be tricky. My gut feeling told me I wasn't going to get the job, that the panel didn't like me, but I did get the job! So who knows.

Good luck, I hope you hear back soon!

Thanks awsoci for sharing your experience. I also think that now maybe it´s too late to send a thank you email. No news yet form the interviewers...

I wouldnt do it. If it was me receiving the letter I would think of it like someone is trying to gain an advantage, a bit pushy and tbh a bit bum licking...