Thank You Letters

Don't underestimate the power of a thank you letter. Also called a follow-up letter, it may be the deciding factor in your favor, especially when there are other candidates with your qualifications applying for the same job.

When to send a Thank You Letter?

Immediately after a round of interviews, always send a thank you letter to each of your interviewers by fax, mail or email.

How to send a Thank You Letter?

Email is the quickest way to get thank you letters in front of interviewers, and is perfectly acceptable these days. But avoid using cutesy Net stuff, like emotioncons (e.g., happy faces), shorthand and acronyms (e.g., u for you and TIA for thanks in advance).

Sending a Thank You Letter

Regardless of how you send them, follow professional, business letter standards. Near the end of your interviews, ask each interviewer for his or her contact information and correct name spelling, or just ask for a business card.

Thank you letter as an interviewing strategy

Most interviewers expect you to send thank you letters. It's also an effective interviewing strategy. For example, it

Shows that you are courteous, knowledgeable and professional

Demonstrates your written communication skills

Helps to make you stand out in the minds of the interviewers

Thank you letter as an interviewing strategy Elevates you above

competing candidates who didn't bother to write them

Gives you an opportunity to reinforce your good points

Allows you to include something important you forgot to mention during your interview

Confirms your understanding of topics discussed and helps to avoid misunderstandings

Seymour Butts123 Gimme a Job WaySan Jose, CA 95123

Stuntman Inc.456 Ambulance Dr.San Jose, CA 95321

July 22, 2004 Dear Mr. Chan:

Thank you very much for taking time out of your busy day to talk with me about the Stuntman position.  I enjoyed meeting you and the members of your department, and I am excited about the chance to work with such a great team.Since I am a self-starter by nature and a team player too, I like that you encourage individuals to take ownership of projects, but each can still count on team-member support.  It's the best of both worlds.

Judging by our discussion earlier today, I believe that my qualifications are an excellent fit, particularly my Master’s of Arts in Recreation and ability to cliff jump.  The position is exactly what I'm looking for, and I'm confident that I can be a significant contributor to the success of Stuntman Inc..  I sincerely hope you agree.

Thanks again for interviewing me.  If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.  I look forward to hearing from you again.

Sincerely,Seymour Butts