Following Up After An InterviewFebruary 22nd, 2007
(or, “How to Write a Thank You Note”)
Never underestimate the power of follow-up. It might seem elementary, but the majority of job seekers never do it. By taking a few minutes to construct a “Thank you” plan, you can help increase your chances of being hired.
While this post focuses on follow up techniques for those job hunting, it is also very applicable to everyday life - thank you notes are always appreciated and often prove to be a critical ingredient to building a relationship, be it personal or professional. In the realm of job hunting, following up on an interview or conversation can make all the difference.
An effective Thank You is your opportunity to restate your qualifications and confirm your interest in the position. It also advances the personal relationship you are trying to build with the potential employer.
Determine the level of formality that is appropriate for the company as well as your personality. A simple stationery Thank You card is personable and can positively reflect a very friendly interview. A one page addressed letter allows you to write a few more sentences than a card, ideal if you forgot to mention something during the interview or want to drive one point home. A letter will also come across as extremely professional and is considered more formal than a note. After a networking or informal meeting, an email is sufficient. In some lines of work, a quick email sent a few hours after the interview or the following morning is appreciated. Following up with a thank you card lets the employer know that you are organized, efficient and interested.
The recipe for a great Thank You is easy. You just have to keep it short, simple and sincere. The purpose of the letter is to actually thank them, so make sure you say the words. It is also important to say a little bit more than just “thank you.” State the reason for why you are thanking them, and take the opportunity to reference something from the interview - preferably a more personal aspect of the conversation. Doing so will help you stand apart from the dozens of other candidates they may have met.
Timing is important when sending a thank you note. After all, you want the interviewer to establish the connection between you and your note. Try to have your note in the mail that afternoon or the next day. A note should arrive within days, not weeks, of an interview. If e-mail is your fancy, send the e-mail within a day.
After the thank you has been sent - give them space. If possible, during the interview ask them for their timeline in filling the position. This will help you determine the appropriate time to follow up. If you have given them appropriate space after an interview, do not be afraid to call and ask if there is any other information you could provide. Ask for an update on their decision timeline.
It’s also important to thank people who have provided you with a reference or introduced you to the organization to which you are applying. Whether it is a recruiter or a friend, sending a quick note lets your contact know that they are appreciated. It also increases the likelihood that they will come to your aid again in the future.
If you properly handle your follow-ups, you will have identified yourself in three different mediums - in person, over the phone and in writing. Remember that regardless of their decision, you should continue to touch base from time to time. The next time you are on a job hunt, they may very well be looking to hire again!
Have a suggestion or experience you would like to share? Comment below!
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oooh. loved the article. however you forgot the following: to really stand out, use a folded note card on Crane’s stationary. Cream color is best, white sends that no nonsense business message. Make sure the note is properly engraved in deep blue ink by one of the last engraving houses in the US. A true note writing afficionado (and there are tons of chicks out there that know this) ONLY uses a fountain pen. Fountain pens convey feeling and art. But of course, the ultimate in writing is only accomplished with a calligraphy pen and careful study of the art. Good luck to all you handwriting lovers out there; I am one and I own tons and tons of cards, many handmade, I have handmade stationary, and of course, numerous sets of the Cranes engraved stuff, plus tons of fountain pens and calligraphy pens and many different ink colors. Love it!
February 23rd, 2007 at 1:44 am
Great post. It really got me thinking, and I wrote some additional commentary on the topic at my blog at meritocracy.net. Joanne is onto something with her comment.
I think in general, thank-you notes are a bit of a lost art, and because of this, when used well, can really set people apart.
cheers,
Jason
February 26th, 2007 at 12:57 am
[...] Follow-up after an Interview with Thank You… [...]
March 2nd, 2007 at 6:45 pm
[...] Make sure to ask for your interviewers name. Follow up with a thank you note. [...]
April 26th, 2007 at 10:34 am
Actually, you do not need to spend ridiculous amounts of money on cards and pens. Keep it simple, and if you aren’t sure, err on the conservative side.
May 1st, 2007 at 12:56 am
This is a great article to give some tactical suggestions to how to write an effective Thank You. I’ve written more about how necessary it still is in today’s very electronic world. Check out http://cmaccess.net/index.php?s=follow+up&x=0&y=0
July 13th, 2007 at 2:22 pm
Fountain pens! Finally, someone else who understands not just the quality of such pens, but also the writing
experience they provide. I wouldn’t be caught dead without my Waterman “Expert” pen. Actually, I have two
Waterman fountain pens, but the first one is a cheap plastic variety that I hold onto for the sake of nostalgia
(it was my first fountain pen). I also have a Lamy pen that I picked up on sale at Levenger.com.
Admittedly, I sometimes fall back on the old Ticonderoga #2 pencils too, while I also keep a Fisher Space Pen
clipped on my pants pocket at all times. Never know when the need to write may hit, so why not use something
that’s designed to write on any surface, in zero gravity, and at -30F? Yep, I’m a pen & stationary junky. What
can I say?
October 30th, 2007 at 10:04 pm
I have actually been encouraged to send flowers, cookie bouquets or candygrams as a “Thank you” following an interview. So many people send “Thank you” cards that you tend to get lost in the volume. Sending something outside the regular sets you apart from the rest. Most salespeople give perks to their clients to keep them. Consider this idea as your perk to keep the employer’s mind set on you. Of course, I simply do this act for the interviews that went well and the positions I really want. Otherwise, I send the regular “Thank you” cards along with the rest of the contenders.
November 30th, 2007 at 10:35 pm
Fisher Space Pen
clipped on my pants pocket at all times. Never know when the need to write may hit, so why not use something
that’s designed to write on any surface, in zero gravity, and at -30F? Yep, I’m a pen & stationary junky. What
can I say?
January 2nd, 2008 at 11:25 am
[...] was a good post by Alex at Emurse last week on the value to candidates in writing personalized thank-you notes to [...]
January 11th, 2008 at 5:19 am