After the Interview
The Forgotten Letter
Don't end the interview just with a handshake. Following up with a thank you letter is not only common courtesy but a true sign of closing the meeting professionally and courteously.
Here are a few tips to writing a successful letter:
- Choose a style that is appropriate for the industry and job you are targeting. For example, if you are seeking a traditional accounting position, you may want to send the employer a well-written, typed business letter.
- If you have doubts whether or not an employer representative checks their e-mail, send it both in hard copy and by e-mail.
- Send it ASAP! Send the letter within 24-hours of the interview. Take quick notes upon returning to your car or home to keep the event fresh in your mind and thus make the letter easier to write.
- Target the letter to the specific individual and employer. "Canned" thank you letters are easy to spot and do not showcase your unique qualifications.
- Add / Remind / Restate
- Addsomething you may have forgotten to say in the interview or at the specific event;
- Remind the employer of your uniqueness for the job or internship;
- Restate why you're the best candidate for the job or internship.
- Personalize the letter - perhaps reflect briefly on something that was said in the interview or at the recruiting event.
- Send a thank you letter to each person you met at the interview. If this is not feasible, consider forwarding your thank you's to the rest of the team or department.
A business-formatted, typed letter is the most traditional thank you letter. Now with the speed of e-mail, many students prefer to e-mail their thank you letters. Some students want to provide a more personal touch and choose to handwrite a thank you note. The style of thank you note will depend on the industry and job you are targeting and the purpose of the thank you correspondence.
The thank you letter or
the forgotten letter is seldom considered important to many new job seekers. On the contrary! In today's hustle and bustle society, the thank you letter offers an extra, personal touch that sometimes is lost in the job search process. Showing your appreciation for the employer's time and consideration will make you stand out as a strong candidate.
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