The thank you letter is one of the most commonly overlooked aspects of the job search – and one of the most important. A post-interview thank you letter gives you the opportunity to reiterate your interest in the position and your enthusiasm for the company. Additionally, each letter can serve :

•  To address specific concerns in greater detail than was possible during the actual interview (i.e., if the interviewer seemed concerned that you did not have sufficient quantitative skills necessary for the job.)

•  To address a topic of particular interest (to interviewer or interviewee) that arose during the conversation, especially when that topic reflects favorably on the interviewee's job-related skills (i.e., you talked about mountaineering or leadership positions.)

•  To re-emphasize a skill or strength important to the interviewer (i.e., the interviewer showed interest in your sports and team-related activities.)

•  To insert a little humor into the process.

•  To discuss something relevant to the employer that you omitted in the interview.

TIMING and LENGTH:

Send letters within 24 - 48 hours of the interview. Keep it brief - no more than a page. Don't stress over it – it's more important to send something quickly than to delay for days. HOWEVER…..be certain that it is absolutely ERROR-FREE!

PERSONALIZE EACH LETTER:

When interviewing with several people at one organization, take a few seconds between interviews to make notes about each conversation. Use these notes to individualize your letters to each interviewer. When sending letters to several people at one organization, do not send identical or generic letters to everyone. Each letter does not need to be completely different from the rest – but tailor where possible.

OTHER TIPS:

Ask for business cards from your interviewer/s or record titles and proper spelling of names before leaving the interview site. Use business cards to jot notes about your meeting and/or each interviewer.

Sign each letter (believe it or not, people sometimes forget to sign thank you letters and cover letters). Carefully proofread your letter and have another person do so, too.

Print each letter on a high quality paper or use personal stationery.

You can send an e-mail thank you. Remember that a thank you letter - via email or snail mail is a formal document. Be certain the tone is professional (we generally tend to be more casual in email, so maintain the formality.)

WEB RESOURCES:

Quintcareers: http://www.quintcareers.com/thank_you_letters.html

Monster : http://content.monster.com/resume/samples/coverletters/letter4/

Jobsearch.about.com: http://jobsearch.about.com/library/weekly/aa031101a.htm

http://jobsearch.about.com/library/weekly/aa082398.htm

07/06/05