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Follow Up and Thank You Letter
Thank-You Letters
It is important after an interview to write a thank-you letter to the interviewer to acknowledge the meeting and to remind him/her of you after you have gone. This letter also shows your organization and professionalism. There are several guidelines that you should follow in writing a follow-up letter.
- Type each thank-you letter individually. The letter should make the following four points clear:
- You paid attention to what was being said;
- You understood the importance of the interviewer's comments;
- You are excited about the job, can do it, and want it; and
- You can contribute.
- Mention the names of the people you met at the interview.
- Send a letter to appropriate individuals with whom you interviewed (always send to the main interviewer).
- Keep the letter to less than one page.
- Mail the letter within 24 hours of the interview.
- Thank the interviewer for his/her time.
- Send a handwritten "thank you" card by mail no later than the day after the interview.
Follow up
- No matter what method of contact you use, maintain careful records. Develop a system to keep track of contacts with employers-including such information as date, person, result, current status, and next action.
- It is important to follow up with a letter or phone call on any contacts you have made, especially those in which you are most interested.
- If you have been asked to supply any information or check back at a particular time, be sure to follow through.
Reviewing the Position & the Company
After the interview, review what you learned about the position and the company.
The Position
- Why is it available?
- How long has it been open?
- What would your specific responsibilities be?
- Are the goals set for the position realistic and attainable?
- Can you successfully perform the responsibilities of the position?
- What is your growth potential in this position?
- How does the position fit into your long-term and short-term career goals?
- Do the daily work activities appeal to you?
- Are your salary and benefit requirements satisfied?
- Is there opportunity for advancement?
- Will you be developing new skills and expanding your experience?
- Are the demands of the job compatible with your lifestyle?
- Can you manage the stress associated with changing jobs/relocating?
- Are the values of the organization compatible with your own?
- Is this employment opportunity a mutually beneficial relationship?
The Company
- Is the company growing or downsizing?
- Is the company a result of an acquisition or a planned expansion?
- Has this growth affected its profitability? How will it affect you and your position?
- What is the growth potential of the company's products and/or markets?
- What is the company's market share?
- Who are its competitors?
- How long has the current management been in place?
- Does the management team consist of new hires or people promoted from within?
- Does the company have a high retention rate of employees, or do they have a problem with high employee turnover?
Your Potential Supervisor
- How long has he/she been in this position?
- To whom does he/she report?
- What was his/her previous work experience?
- How does this relate to his/her background?
- What is his/her growth potential?
- Do you think you can work well with this person?