Never sent a thank-you note, and never received or even expected one from any of the hundred of people I’ve interviewed. While I don’t think there’s anything particularly wrong with sending a note, I also don’t see the point. When I go for an interview, the person/company interviewing me isn’t doing me a favor. They’re simply trying to fill an open position within theiir organization, just as I’m trying to secure employment for mysef. I no more owe them a note than they owe one to me for coming in for the interview. A mutual verbal “thank you” at the end of the chat is more than adequate.
I could never figure out what to say. No matter how genuine I tried to write, even just “thank you for the interview!”, it sounded hollow.
That’s how I see it too. It seems like HR is just trying to elevate their own importance here.
For some positions, like software engineering, you may have many that are just introverts but are extremely talented. I’d hate to lose talent because of the ego’s in HR. I’m the one interviewing them, if I say I want to hire are they going to say “no” because they didn’t get their “thank you” note?
I’m also well aware that many HR depts don’t ever notify the candidates that have been dropped in the process. Courtesy is a two-way street.