Thank you note after an interview

Nija · 08-03-2005, 07:15 PM

I had a great interview last friday (7/29). Well I want to send a thank you note, but I don't really know what to say, what to include, what to leave out. I know it's supposed to be brief, but other than that, I have no clue. Could someone either copy & paste a generic one for me to work off of, or a site that will give me some meat & potatoes, metaphorically speaking of course.

Thanks!

ialsohaveadream · 08-03-2005, 07:26 PM

Like you said, be brief, and I'd suggest giving something that helps them remember something good about you. For example:

"Thank you, (Mr. Jergen), for the chance to interview for your open (Hand In Pants Model) position. It was a pleasure meeting both you and the staff at (Jergen's Lotion, Inc.). I hope you will find that my (degree in friction studies) will be a great fit at your company. I look forward to hearing from you."

smeakim · 08-03-2005, 08:04 PM

I have not hear of one case where is makes much of a difference. My last boss got a note glanced at it and threw it away. I asked her why, and she said it was nice but did not make one bit of difference on their decision. I have talked with quite a few HR people and they say you are like or not within 10 mins of the interview. Not saying you can't do it, but don't stress over it. I have not once sent a letter and knock on wood have been offered everywhere I interviewed.

dbax791 · 08-03-2005, 08:33 PM

This was common thought in a lot of interviewing books in the past, but frankly, I look at it as more of a negative than anything, and it is rarely used.

IMO, best case it won't make a difference, worst case, makes you sound desperate. You should be the one in demand - they should send you a thank you note for taking time to apply for the job.

I've hired a few people in the past, and I hire the best person regardless of thank you notes. Had two people in tears begging for a job, one begging for a "do-over" interview b/c they messed up, but it's my ass on the line if I don't hire the best person.

JMHO - if anyone disagrees I'd like to hear if this is still advocated.

ialsohaveadream · 08-03-2005, 08:48 PM

Honestly, I've never received one, and I've given plenty of interviews. And I've never written one. Still, it's a nice touch if you're actually going to end up with the job.

Nija · 08-03-2005, 11:48 PM

I don't mind sounding desperate. I'm looking for a new job, while still employed.

Butch · 08-04-2005, 02:37 AM

I take it your "Thank you for the anal sex" picture in a nice card format simply wouldn't suffice?

LegendKiller · 08-04-2005, 06:14 AM

I sent one to my current boss and he still has it under his computer monitor today.

Jeffbx · 08-04-2005, 06:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smeakim

I have talked with quite a few HR people and they say you are like or not within 10 mins of the interview.

That's why you send it to the HIRING managager, not HR. HR just gets you in the door - the manager is the one who makes the decision. It makes a nice impression on me when I get a thank you note. If you're in a close race with a couple of other people, that can be the thing that bumps you to the front of the line.

It's OK to keep things a little light sometimes, too - especially if you had more of an informal interview. Slight tweak to IHAD's suggestion:

Quote:

Originally Posted by ialsohaveadream

For example:

"Thank you, (Mr. Jergen), for the chance to interview for your open (Hand In Pants Model) position. It was a pleasure meeting both you and your "staff" (ha ha!) at (Jergen's Lotion, Inc.). I hope you will find that my (degree in friction studies) will be a great fit at your company. I look forward to hearing from you."

However, if the interview was formal or if it's a very traditional kind of company, keep the thank you very professional.

VTGreg · 08-04-2005, 07:17 AM

I don't think it makes you sound desperate to thank someone for taking the time to consider you for a position at their company. It won't hurt you unless you say something inappropriate in the thank you note. Just keep it brief and it can do nothing but help you.

modena · 08-04-2005, 08:00 AM

Cant hurt, and you may be sending it to a person that seldom gets thank yous for interviews and gives your application a boost. People are people and sometimes who knows what will make someone like you (or like you more).

Nija · 08-04-2005, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Butch

I take it your "Thank you for the anal sex" picture in a nice card format simply wouldn't suffice?

For those that have no idea what he's talking about:

Jeffbx I'm sending this to the woman who interviewed me (Hiring manager), I was also thinking about sending one to her boss (who also interviewed me, just for a shorter time)

Jeffbx · 08-05-2005, 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nija

Jeffbx I'm sending this to the woman who interviewed me (Hiring manager), I was also thinking about sending one to her boss (who also interviewed me, just for a shorter time)

Good idea, but I would hold off on the 'thanks for the anal' card until after they make you an offer.

sunrisetech · 08-08-2005, 10:48 PM

After a great interview in front of a panel (ahhh!!!) I followed up with a note thanking them for giving me the opportunity to apply for the position. And yes I got it!

Freelance Superhero · 08-09-2005, 11:18 PM

no, it definitely can't hurt to send in a thank you note.

and let me be the first to tell you that sending one DID make a difference for me once:

i had a pretty standard resume and cover letter, but i had a fairly good interview, securing a second interview. came down to me and one other candidate for the position; had a good second interview, and i sent in the thank you letter.

unfortunately, the girl competing with me for the position actually got the job, but, as i was told later, it was a reluctant choice. after that girl had been working there a week, the woman who interviewed us fired her and called me to come take her place. then she informed me that she was so impressed with how professionally i handled the whole situation (cover letter & resume, interview demeanor, and particularly the thank you letter), that she felt i would be bored by the job. but after spending a week with the girl and letting all that sink in, she finally decided she made the wrong choice and hired me instead.

so yes, writing thank you letters can help, sometimes more than you might think...

EDIT:
ok, so i wasn't the "first to tell you". but you get the picture.

sunrisetech · 08-13-2005, 03:12 PM

Since I've decided to be in the job market soon I've been reviewing some tips and came across some good advice for this topic:

Quote:

Thank You for the Interview

A follow-up letter after a job interview can often be the extra push that gets you the job. Indeed, some human resources managers consider the thank you note an essential step in the job-hunting process. A letter received two or three days after the interview will keep your name in front of the employer. The letter also provides an opportunity to add what you wish you had thought of during the interview.

A short thank-you for the interview is sufficient for the introductory pleasantries. Then mention the main topic of the interview - the main topic from the interviewer's point of view - and what you can contribute to that situation. Follow this with helpful information that you may not have included in the first discussion. You can then add reminders of your strong qualifications and abilities. End with a statement of when you will contact the company to schedule a second interview.

Keep in mind throughout the letter that you are selling your ability to help the company you wish to work for.

08-03-2005, 07:15 PM	#1
Nija Chief of Naval Operations Join Date: May 2001 Location: City of The Dead Posts: 13,552	Thank you note after an interview I had a great interview last friday (7/29). Well I want to send a thank you note, but I don't really know what to say, what to include, what to leave out. I know it's supposed to be brief, but other than that, I have no clue. Could someone either copy & paste a generic one for me to work off of, or a site that will give me some meat & potatoes, metaphorically speaking of course. Thanks! __________________ "Nija is the dark soul of gotapex. We don't like to talk about him." - LPMiller

08-03-2005, 07:26 PM	#2
ialsohaveadream Fleet Admiral Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: FL Posts: 8,077	Like you said, be brief, and I'd suggest giving something that helps them remember something good about you. For example: "Thank you, (Mr. Jergen), for the chance to interview for your open (Hand In Pants Model) position. It was a pleasure meeting both you and the staff at (Jergen's Lotion, Inc.). I hope you will find that my (degree in friction studies) will be a great fit at your company. I look forward to hearing from you." __________________ Web log

08-03-2005, 08:04 PM	#3
smeakim Lieutenant Commander Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: CO Posts: 690	Over Used I have not hear of one case where is makes much of a difference. My last boss got a note glanced at it and threw it away. I asked her why, and she said it was nice but did not make one bit of difference on their decision. I have talked with quite a few HR people and they say you are like or not within 10 mins of the interview. Not saying you can't do it, but don't stress over it. I have not once sent a letter and knock on wood have been offered everywhere I interviewed.

08-04-2005, 02:37 AM	#7
Butch Rear Admiral Lower Half Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: New York, NY Posts: 2,915	I take it your "Thank you for the anal sex" picture in a nice card format simply wouldn't suffice? __________________ I used to be into sadism, necrophilia and beastiality, but then I realized I was just beating a dead horse

08-04-2005, 07:17 AM	#10
VTGreg Rear Admiral Lower Half Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 2,533	I don't think it makes you sound desperate to thank someone for taking the time to consider you for a position at their company. It won't hurt you unless you say something inappropriate in the thank you note. Just keep it brief and it can do nothing but help you. __________________ It only ends once... Anything that happens before that is just progress. Courage is not the absence of fear but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear.

08-03-2005, 08:33 PM	#4
dbax791 Rear Admiral Lower Half Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Arizona Posts: 2,177	This was common thought in a lot of interviewing books in the past, but frankly, I look at it as more of a negative than anything, and it is rarely used. IMO, best case it won't make a difference, worst case, makes you sound desperate. You should be the one in demand - they should send you a thank you note for taking time to apply for the job. I've hired a few people in the past, and I hire the best person regardless of thank you notes. Had two people in tears begging for a job, one begging for a "do-over" interview b/c they messed up, but it's my ass on the line if I don't hire the best person. JMHO - if anyone disagrees I'd like to hear if this is still advocated.

08-03-2005, 08:48 PM	#5
ialsohaveadream Fleet Admiral Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: FL Posts: 8,077	Honestly, I've never received one, and I've given plenty of interviews. And I've never written one. Still, it's a nice touch if you're actually going to end up with the job.

08-03-2005, 11:48 PM	#6
Nija Chief of Naval Operations Join Date: May 2001 Location: City of The Dead Posts: 13,552	I don't mind sounding desperate. I'm looking for a new job, while still employed.

08-04-2005, 06:14 AM	#8
LegendKiller Vice Admiral Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,927	I sent one to my current boss and he still has it under his computer monitor today.

08-04-2005, 08:00 AM	#11
modena Captain Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: pa Posts: 1,741	Cant hurt, and you may be sending it to a person that seldom gets thank yous for interviews and gives your application a boost. People are people and sometimes who knows what will make someone like you (or like you more). __________________ WoW - Perenolde - chars: intron, modena Computer - AMD 64 3700+ 939 on NF4 SLi mobo (ZALMAN CNPS 9500), 2 GB DDR466 (2-3-2-5), XFX Geforce 7900GT 256mb (520mhz core, 24 pipes, 1500mhz memory), Western Digital Raptor 74GB Serial ATA HD 10k, 850GB in other HD's, 21in Widescreen LCD

08-08-2005, 10:48 PM	#14
sunrisetech Lieutenant Junior Grade Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: San Diego, California Posts: 171	After a great interview in front of a panel (ahhh!!!) I followed up with a note thanking them for giving me the opportunity to apply for the position. And yes I got it!

08-09-2005, 11:18 PM	#15
Freelance Superhero Optimus Prime Join Date: May 2002 Location: in bed Posts: 4,116	no, it definitely can't hurt to send in a thank you note. and let me be the first to tell you that sending one DID make a difference for me once: i had a pretty standard resume and cover letter, but i had a fairly good interview, securing a second interview. came down to me and one other candidate for the position; had a good second interview, and i sent in the thank you letter. unfortunately, the girl competing with me for the position actually got the job, but, as i was told later, it was a reluctant choice. after that girl had been working there a week, the woman who interviewed us fired her and called me to come take her place. then she informed me that she was so impressed with how professionally i handled the whole situation (cover letter & resume, interview demeanor, and particularly the thank you letter), that she felt i would be bored by the job. but after spending a week with the girl and letting all that sink in, she finally decided she made the wrong choice and hired me instead. so yes, writing thank you letters can help, sometimes more than you might think... EDIT: ok, so i wasn't the "first to tell you". but you get the picture. __________________ "I can't believe you can eat that; it looks like abortion." - Augusta, of the Tard-Blog

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

User Name
Password
Remember Me?