Interview Thank You
A follow up interview thank you letter or note sends a powerful message to the potential employer that you are very interested and committed to getting the job. Don't forget to look at the sample thank you letter at the bottom of the page for ideas on writing one.
Never underestimate the power of communication and rapport building. To take advantage of this effect, get a letter into the hands of your interviewer within 24 hours, at least no later than the end of the following day. Sometimes it may take an email interview thank you to get the job done, but most times a traditional letter is best.
What to Include
Your message to the potential employer should
--clearly indicate your desire for the position;
--thank them for allowing you the opportunity to interview;
--address any issues that came up during the interview process. You might address that you skipped a question or the fact that you were late (ouch). I'd skip any discussion about your big gravy stain on your tie, unless someone pointed it out and you've got a humorous way of tying it (no pun intended) back to a successful interview.
Did you remember something after the interview that you could briefly go into? Using a thank you note is a techniques that you can use to thoughtfully address any issue that came up. The idea is to remind the interviewer of your compatibility and capability. Be brief and confident restating your suitability and fit into the organization.
Multiple Panel Members
Send individual messages to each person you interviewed with, but if this isn't possible, send it to the Human Resources office and ask that it be passed along to the members. Place yourself in the shoes of the interviewer who did not get the thank you note, they may feel slighted. At the conclusion of the interview, ask for a business card or for contact information from the receptionist, this will make sending thank you letters easier.
Sample Interview Thank You Letter
Ms.
Delores Smith
CalSonic Music, Inc.
25 Sacramento Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
Dear Ms. Smith,
Thank you for the time you took to discuss the sales position in your music store. Our meeting convinced me of the excellence of Retirement-For-You.com's operations and also that my background and skills coincide well with your needs.
It was easy for me to see why Retirement-For-You.com retains its employees for so long. I feel I could learn a great deal from you and would certainly enjoy working with you. I'm sure you'd find my qualifications and personality a good fit within your organization.
In addition to my qualifications and experience, I will bring excellent work habits and judgment to this position. With the countless demands on your time, I am sure that you require people who can be trusted to carry out their responsibilities with minimal supervision.
I look forward, Ms. Smith, to hearing from you concerning your hiring decision. Again, thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Michael Wembley
