Interview Thank You Letter

Following an interview you will want to send a letter to those who interviewed you. Why? Because you have been told it's a good idea. It's common courtesy. It's the professional thing to do. It's even expected. There is always the chance other candidates won't bother.

How hard can it be?

Here are some "dos" and "don'ts:"

1. Don't rush. Conventional wisdom says "that afternoon" or "no later than the next day." Think! If the interview lasted more than a few minutes it's likely the interviewer might remember you two or three days later.
2. Do send a letter (not an e-mail, not a text message; please!), but hold off for three or four days. Just when your interviewer's memory begins to fade your letter arrives in time to refresh and extend the memory of your interview well beyond the date of the interview.
3. Don't start with "Thank You!" Why? Because everyone else does that. The reader says to herself, "Oh this is just another 'bread and butter' thank-you letter." She won't read the whole letter.
4. Do start the letter with "you" or "your." "Your willingness to take time to visit with me on Thursday, August 5th is appreciated. You enthusiastically described my job responsibilities, who I will report to, and what is expected of me the first 90 days."
5. Do help the reader remember you positively by saying, "You impressed me by taking time to introduce me to your assistant when he suddenly came into your office with an urgent message from your family."
6. Do say there is a good fit with the job and your ___ years of experience in ________(field) and an excellent match with your computer and problem solving skills.
7. Do insert key points you forgot to mention during the interview by saying, "As I was driving away it occurred to me I should have said I have been known to walk on water and leap tall buildings in a single bound. Both these abilities fit in well with my new assignments."
8. Don't use long paragraphs. The more white space the better. Try for a one inch margin left and right and at least .7 north and south.
9. Do use New Times Roman (preferred) or Universal or Arial type face and 12pt font (minimum) on executive-size Ivory Classic Laid paper stock with 20% rag content; watermarked.
10. Do send your one page "thank-you" letter and a fresh copy of your resume FLAT in a white 9x10 inch envelope. If more than one person interviewed you send a similar mailing to every interviewer. You did get their business card didn't you?

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