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» Tips For Writing
Thank You Letters
It is proper business etiquette to send thank you
letters, but many people overlook this matter of courtesy.
A thank you letter can make you stand out from the other candidates
competing for jobs, and in this tight job market, it is wise
to consider every tool that will give you an advantage.
To be effective, a thank you note should be sent before the
hiring decision has been made, so it is best to mail it as
soon as possible after the interview. When you send a thank
you letter, you give the interviewer a chance to remember you
(imagine having interviewed 10-15 candidates for a position,
and then trying to distinguish each one after the interviews
and trying to remember the specifics about each person). It
is your opportunity to mention any important information you
forgot to discuss during the interview.
A thank you letter allows you to explain, restate, or clear
up any potential misunderstandings. In addition, you can redirect
your marketing campaign by focusing on something that you learned
during the interview and re-emphasizing your strengths, accomplishments
and skills. Sending a thank you letter shows the interviewer
that you are a professional who is concerned about details.
In the end, the thank you letter is your last chance to leave
a good impression!
There are several situations that require a thank you letter:
•
After an employment interview
•
When someone provides you with job search assistance such as
referring you to an employer, providing a network contact,
or speaking on your behalf to a prospective employer
•
After an informational interview, company visit, or other career
exploration activity
Try to follow these hints when writing thank you letters:
•
Keep your letters short and simple - usually one page is enough.
•
Help the interviewer remember you by referring to specific
points discussed in your interview: show that you were listening
and mention something that will refresh the interviewer's memory
of you
•
Be sure your letters are professional, for example: typed,
no errors, on quality paper, etc.
•
Send your letter within one day - do not put it off!
•
Emphasize your qualifications, especially those that are most
relevant to the position
•
Provide any information that was overlooked during the interview
or that which was specifically requested by the interviewer
•
Express your continued interest and enthusiasm for the position
•
Remember, very few people bother to send thank you letters
- this can be your edge!
Generally, your thank you letters should include the following
information:
First paragraph:
•
Thank the interviewer for taking the time to meet with you
(mention the date). Remind him/her of the position for which
you interviewed.
Second paragraph:
•
Restate your interest in the position and the company/school/organization.
Mention something you learned from the interview or comment
on something of importance that you discussed. Again, emphasize
your strengths, experiences, skills, accomplishments and slant
them towards the points that the interviewer considered the
most important for the position.
Third paragraph:
•
Once again, thank the interviewer for his/her time and consideration.
If appropriate, close with a suggestion for further action
(if a second interview is a possibility), or mention that you
will follow up with a phone call in a few days. Provide your
phone number and the hours you can best be reached.
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