Thank You Letters
It is proper business etiquette to send thank you letters, but many people overlook this important matter of courtesy. A thank you letter can make you stand out from the other candidates competing for jobs, and it is another opportunity for you to promote your qualifications.
To be effective, a thank you note should be sent before the hiring decision has been made, so it is best to mail it as soon as possible after the interview. When you send a thank you letter, you give the interviewer a chance to remember you.
There are several situations that require a thank you letter:
- After an employment interview
- When someone provides you with job search assistance such as referring you to an employer, providing a network contact, or speaking on your behalf to a prospective employer.
- After an informational interview, company visit, or other career exploration activity.
General Guidelines:
- Keep your letters short and simple - less than one page.
- Help the interviewer remember you by referring to specific points discussed in your interview. Show that you were listening and mention something positive that will refresh the interviewer's memory of you.
- Send your letter within one day - do not put it off!
- Emphasize your qualifications, especially those that are most relevant to the position.
- Provide any information that was overlooked during the interview or that which was specifically requested by the interviewer.
- Express your continued interest and enthusiasm for the position.
Letter Outline
First Paragraph: Thank the interviewer for taking the time to meet with you (mention the date). Remind him/her of the position for which you interviewed.
Second Paragraph: Restate your interest in the position and the company. Mention something you learned from the interview or comment on something of importance that you discussed. Emphasize your strengths, experiences, skills, accomplishments and slant them towards the points that the interviewer considered the most important for the position.
Third Paragraph: Once again, thank the interviewer for his/her time and consideration. If appropriate, close with a suggestion for further action (if a second interview is a possibility), or mention that you will follow up with a phone call in a few days. Provide your contact information again (at least email and phone number).
Information for this page was based on content from WorkTree.com.