Thank-you letters that work
by Regina Gozar-Posadas
Q&A
What if I don’t get a reply to my thank-you note?
If the interviewer doesn’t answer your thank-you letter about a week or so after your meeting, you may send a follow-up letter. The follow-up should repeat your continued interest in the position and courteously seek a response. While ideally you should receive the same professional courtesy you gave the interviewer, don’t take it personally if he doesn’t reciprocate. Just remember: The pursuer is usually more earnest than the pursued to make a connection. Don’t hold your breath as you wait, but prudently start cultivating other job prospects.
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Truly, a job-seeker’s work never gets done. Even after the interview, you can’t-and shouldn’t-relax, not if you want to nose out the competition. Stay in the interviewer’s memory and good graces by sending a thank-you letter. It may seem trivial, but handing out thank-you notes is actually an effective interviewing strategy. Here’s why:
- It shows that you are well-mannered and polite.
- It reinforces your interest in the position.
- It keeps your identity alive in the interviewer’s mind.
- It displays your communication skills.
- You earn plus points over rival applicants who didn’t bother to jot down their thank-yous.
- It’s another chance to restate your strengths.
- You can bring up something important you forgot during the dialogue.
- It proves your understanding of matters discussed and helps prevent future mix-ups.
Keep thank-you letters concise, positive and warm. Never send one with spelling and grammatical mistakes. Dispatch by mail, fax, or email within 24 hours after the interview.
You may post a handwritten thank-you note or a more formal, typed letter, depending on how well you know the interviewer and the kind of company you are dealing with. In your memo, express gratitude for being interviewed. Mention the date of your talk and the position you seek. Reiterate your interest in the job and in the company, and explain why you think you’re qualified, based on the interview. Emphasize the bright, remarkable moments of your conversation so you stand out in the interviewer’s mind. Thank him again as you end your letter, requesting permission to keep in touch and expressing hope of a response.
A thank-you letter may not guarantee employment, but it tells the employer that you’re a professional who’s serious about the job.
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