| Interview follow-up / thank you letters |
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Interviews are not over when they're over: Follow
up.
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| On this page: |
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Purpose |
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Hard
copy, handwritten or e-mail? |
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What to do if you
don't hear from the employer |
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Sample letters |
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| Purpose |
| Following
an interview, promptly (within 2 business days) write the interviewer
a letter expressing appreciation and thanks for the interview.
The purpose of this letter is to: |
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Show appreciation for the employer's
interest in you. |
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Reiterate your interest in the position
and in the organization. |
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Review or remind the employer about
your qualifications for the position. If you thought of something
you forgot to mention in the interview, mention it in your follow-up
/ thank-you letter. |
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Demonstrate that you have good manners
and know to write a thank-you letter. |
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Follow up with any information the
employer may have asked you to provide after the interview. |
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See samples below: |
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Sample 5.4:
Thank-you for initial interview |
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Sample 5.5:
Thank-you for on-site interview |
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| Hard
copy, handwritten or email? |
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Thank-you letters can be hard copy typed,
handwritten or e-mailed. Hard copy are most formal and are appropriate
after an interview. Handwritten are more personal, and can be appropriate
for brief notes to a variety of individuals you may have met during
on on-site interview. E-mail is appropriate when that has been your
means of contact with the person you want to thank, or if your contact
has expressed a preference for e-mail. (Also see guidelines
for using e-mail in your job search and e-mail
business etiquette.) |
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| What
to do if you don't hear from the employer |
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Before your interview ended, your interviewer
should have informed you of the organization's follow-up procedures
— from whom, by what means, and when you would hear again from
the organization. If the interviewer did not tell you, and you did
not ask, use your follow-up / thank-you letter to ask. |
| • |
If more than a week has passed beyond
the date when you were told you would hear something from the employer,
call or email to politely inquire about the status of the organization's
decision-making process. Someone (or something) or an unexpected
circumstance may be holding up the process. A polite inquiry shows
that you are still interested in the organization and may prompt
the employer to get on schedule with a response. In your inquiry,
mention the following: name of the person who interviewed you, time
and place of the interview, position for which you are applying
(if known), and ask the status of your application. |
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| Sample
letters |
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Sample
5.4: Thank-you for inititial interview |
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Sample
5.5: Thank-you for on-site interview |
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| Sample
5.4 - Thank you for initial interview |
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400C Hunter Ridge
Blacksburg, VA 24060
(540) 555-1111
boles@vt.edu
October 26, 2006
Ms. Glenna Wright
Human Resources Manager
Fashion Department Store
2000 Line Drive
Fairfax, VA 22030
Dear Ms. Wright:
I enjoyed interviewing with you during your recruiting
visit to Virginia Tech on October 25. The management trainee
program you outlined sounds both challenging and rewarding
and I look forward to your decision concerning an on-site
visit.
As mentioned during the interview, I will be graduating in
December with a Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Merchandising.
Through my education and experience I’ve gained many
skills, as well as an understanding of retailing concepts
and dealing with the general public. I have worked seven years
in the retail industry in various positions from Salesclerk
to Assistant Department Manager. I think my education and
work experience would complement Fashion’s management
trainee program.
I have enclosed a copy of my college transcript and a list
of references that you requested.
Thank you again for the opportunity to interview with Fashion
Department Store. The interview served to reinforce my strong
interest in becoming a part of your management team. I can
be reached at (540) 555-1111 or by email at boles@vt.edu
should you need additional information.
Sincerely,
Marianne Boles
Enclosures
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| Sample
5.5 - Thank you for on-site interview |
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170 Roanoke Street
Blacksburg, VA 24060
(540) 555-6241
JRichardson@vt.edu
March 3, 2007
Ms. Patricia Smith
Personnel Manager
Sheldon Computers and Electronics
1212 Lark Lane
Richmond, VA 23230
Dear Ms. Smith:
Thank you for the opportunity to visit with you and see
your facilities last Wednesday. Both the interview and the
tour made for an exciting and complete day.
I was particularly impressed with your warehousing procedures.
Mr. Allen was so thorough in explaining your process to
me, and I will be corresponding directly with him to express
my appreciation. Incidentally, the process you use is quite
similar to one I have been researching through an independent
study this term. Perhaps I can share my final report with
you and Mr. Allen.
The expense report you requested is enclosed.
Again, thank you for your hospitality during my visit and
for all your efforts to arrange my visit. Having seen your
operation, I am all the more enthused about the career opportunity
that Sheldon Computers and Electronics offers. I look forward
to your decision.
Sincerely,
Jan Richardson
Enclosure
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| Also
see: |
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Thank-you
/ follow-up letters - for other occasions when thanks is required |
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Guidelines
for job search correspondence |
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Guidelines
for using e-mail in your job search |
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E-mail
business etiquette |
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Typical interview format |
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Interview attire |
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Sample questions |
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Sample questions for teaching
candidates |
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Behavioral interviewing |
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Interview DOs &
DON'Ts |
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Researching employers
— why and how |
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Questions to ask the employer |
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Responding to salary questions |
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On-site interviews |
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Dining
Etiquette |
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Interview expenses |
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The
Mock Interview Program |
