The "Thank You"Letter
After each and every interview, write a thank you letter. Do it thoughtfully, carefully and promptly. Mail it the same or next day after the interview. Or even better, drop it off to the receptionist or secretary at the company.
This is more than a mere courtesy. This letter serves many purposes:
1. Thank the interviewer for the time spent with you. 2. Opportunity to ask for a second interview.
3. Chance to re-emphasize the strong points covered in the conversation.
4. Opportunity to add new information that you forgot or could not work in during the
interview.
5. The place to attempt to overcome some objections brought out by the interviewer.
6. Shows off your follow up skills and makes the point that you are really interested in the job.
A good letter has turned a so-so interview into a hot job possibility. Even if you think the interview did not go well, still do the letter. You may be surprised by the outcome. You have no idea how the other interviews went. Your interview may have been better than the others.
It may not hurt to mention that if you are not selected for the job, that you are available for consulting work. Suggest it!
It sometimes happens that the hiring executives will have someone take you around and introduce you to key persons in the company (not an interview with each, only an introduction.)Mention in your letter the names of the persons you met. Then the executive can call those persons to ask what their impressions were of you. Do not forget to thank the person who showed you around.
If you are interviewed by more than one person in the company, you will need to send each person a thank you letter.
Group Interviews
If your interview was in a group situation (two or more company interviewers and you), compose one letter addressed to the leader or the highest ranking executive participating. Send copies to the others, perhaps with a hand-written P.S. relating to something that person said or did.
If the interviews were a series of one on one situations, compose a different letter for each person who interviewed you. In each letter, review that person's comments and relate them to your accomplishments or background. Send copies of each letter to the other interviewers.
Letter Format
This is a personal, business letter and should have the look of any professional correspondence. It can be typed or hand-written, depending upon your penmanship. Size of paper is determined by any enclosures (resume, application, etc.) that may need to accompany the letter.
Letter Content -.Opening line or paragraph. should reflect a genuine, warm thank you for the time.
Second paragraph. Should emphasize the strong points and reason you are a good fit for the job.
Third paragraph (optional). Should be used to allay possible objections that may have surfaced. If this is not necessary, this can be deleted or used for further amplification of a strong point, or points left out of the interview.
Example Ideas
"I look forward to meeting you again and will call next week to arrange a mutually convenient time."
"I am confident my work for your company will result in increased sales within...."
"Thank you again for the opportunity to interview for the...position."
"I appreciated your hospitality and enjoyed meeting you and members of your staff."
"Thanks so much for taking time from you busy schedule to meet with me."
"The interview convinced me of how compatible my background, interest, and skills are with the goals of your company."
"Your advice was most helpful in clarifying my questions on...."
Do take the time to send these letters. It takes time, but your well-composed letter will be just one more way in which you will stand out from the crowd of job applicants.
How much trouble is the right job worth? |
