Career consultants ask job seekers to send thank you notes after an interview. To address frequently asked questions on how and what to send in a thank you note, here are some goodies.
Wouldn’t the employer think that an applicant is desperate and a sissy applicant if he sends a thank you letter?
Not at all Hardly an employer is not pleased with receiving a thank you letter. It is considered a common way of showing politeness, a gesture of courtesy, a way to outshine the rest of the interviewers, and a way to put your name up front.
Wouldn’t it jeopardize your chances of getting a job?
Not in most cases, but it can happen at some point in time. So why take the chance? (That’s why they ask) Answer: Most bosses drop between the last two most promising applicants, a student and an experienced executive, for example, after the final interview for a certain position. But when the boss got a thank you letter from the student, it made all the difference. Because of that simple practical gesture, the student gets to work.
Can it be handwritten or should it be typed?
Actually, it doesn’t matter. What’s important is the idea of doing it. It should be tailored to your potential company and the interviewing officer. Thus, respect is further established. However, if the company, interviewer or application position calls for a formal business letter, do so. Mostly, a handwritten note is fine if the interviewer and applicant have built a rapport.
Would it be okay to e-mail a thank you note?
First thoughts indicate that this is a big no. However, it depends on the culture of the company. If company people use e-mail in all their communication and correspondence, this should be acceptable. This will apply even if the company is making rapid decisions while hiring applicants. Always remember that even if the e-mails match the company culture, it is a better idea to follow up the email with a hard copy of your thank you.
So you can save yourself the trouble because “anything goes” right?
No. On the other side of the back story, there are potential applicants who were almost on the verge of getting hired, but suddenly hit a skid after sending a sloppy, mis-definitive thank you letter, with multiple typographical errors and misspelled words. Part of having a good communication skill is being able to write effectively and companies do not require employees who have to be taught simple writing skills.
Will a borrowed thank you letter do?
Yes, borrowing is one thing. But be sure to look at the basic structure of the letter. Never steal an entire letter as it may apply to one person but not to another. Certainly, there are employers who can disassociate a thank you note that may or may not have been copied.
If it was a panel interview should thank you letters be sent to all interviewers?
To be honest it’s the best. One letter to each is as necessary as making one for each. All you have to do is edit a few phrases for personality if the interviewers bump into each other and compare the notes they received.
How soon should a thank you note be sent?
The golden rule is to send a thank you note within 24 hours of the interview.
Would it still be okay to mail thank you notes if the hiring decision would be made sooner than receiving a thank you note in the mail?
Think about it, if mail hiring is too pre-historic for decision makers, find a much faster way: it could be via e-mail, fax, express delivery, or personal delivery. In fact, if you hand a thank you note, it can leave a very good impression.
What if there is already an offer before sending the thank you note?
It is still better to send a thank you note as it can be used to accept or decline the offer. This may be a confirmation of your agreement and/or understanding of the offer (salary, benefits, other compensation, start date, holidays, etc.) Is. ,
Always find a way to make it as personal as possible. Try to think out-of-the-box, maybe you can also take what you saw with the interviewer in the office during the interview. Another suggestion is to send an article you think the interviewer might be interested in.
Whatever method you use, make it fast and professional.
