The Observer, April 21, 2006
Volume XXXVIII, Issue 25
Just in CASE...
...you have an interview
Ask Amy: I recently interviewed for a position. It went very well. I want to send a thank-you letter, but I am not sure what to put in the letter. Second, should I e-mail or mail it?
Dear Thankful Student: Do not underestimate the power of a thank-you letter! It may be a deciding factor in your favor, especially if there are other qualified candidates interviewing for the same position. Writing a thank-you letter shows that you are courteous, knowledgeable, and professional. It also will demonstrate your written communication skills. At the end of every interview, make sure you ask for a business card. You will need to send a thank-you to each person you interviewed with. The last thing you want to do is misspell the name of or have the wrong contact information from your interviewer(s).
Within your thank-you letter, reinforce your qualifications and interest in the position, include things you may have forgotten or did not have a chance to mention in the interview, highlight topics you discussed during the interview, and, of course, thank the interviewer(s) for their time and consideration. Your thank-you letter should be written in a professional format. To view an example, visit the Career Center's website, (http://studentaffairs.case.edu/careers), and download the Career Search Guide. If you mail your letter, make sure to use professional stationary.
It is crucial to send your thank-you letter within 24 hours of your interview. Mailing a letter is more personal, but consider the hiring timeline. If mail is too slow for the hiring decision, e-mail is the better choice. In an e-mail, avoid using emotions (happy faces, shorthand, acronyms, etc.).
According to the Career Advancement Management Report, nearly 15 percent of hiring mangers surveyed by CareerBuilder.com said they would not hire someone who failed to send a thank-you letter after the interview. For this reason, no matter which format you choose (mail or e-mail), it is crucial to send a thank-you letter immediately after your interview.
Sincerely,
Amy Sindelar from Ask Amy
