When Thank You Letters Are Important
Thank You Letters – A Courtesy or Wasted Time?
You’ve aced the interview and are feeling confident that an employment offer will be forthcoming before the day’s finished. Then it occurs to you that you’ve not written a proper thank you letter to your interviewer. You might even ask yourself if thank you letters are important or just an outdated etiquette rule.
Before you assume thank you letters are a waste of time, you might want to keep reading. The interview you’re certain is a sure thing that’s going to result in an offer might not be as definite as you think. It comes down to taking advantage of every detail possible to keep your name and professional resume front and center.
Thank you letter should be part of every job application package
The fact is, employers have limited positions and countless candidates who are ideal for filling them. Sometimes, it can come down to personality, extended courtesies and one’s overall attitude during the interview. After all, there might be three, five or fifty candidates, each with impeccable resumes and experience, and somehow, a decision must be made. It’s not surprising a thank you letter has often been the deciding factor in many an interview.
Convinced? Keep reading for tips on what to include in the ever-important thank you letter.
• Be sure to properly address the letter and triple-check the spelling of your interviewer’s name. The most common typo? Addressing “Mr. Brian Doe” by “Mr. Brain Doe”. It’s these tiny typographical errors that defeat the entire purpose.
• Remind, but don’t relive it. Your letter should state, “I wanted to extend my appreciation for the interview on Thursday.” There’s no need to provide the details that simply re-tell the experience such as, “I’m the one whose resume you said was quite professional”. If you did your job in the interview, he or she remembers you for your merits.
• Don’t procrastinate. Ideally, you should have a nicely handwritten card in the mail by the end of the day of your interview.
• Choose your design well. There’s no need for an oversized greeting card. You can select some simple cards in packs of ten or twenty that can be considered appropriate for both male and females. Avoid floral or silly cards. Smaller cards with nothing printed on the front other than, “Thank You” in a professional font is ideal.
• Finally, as you pen your thank you, double check your spelling and grammar usage. If you make a mistake, toss the card and start over (another good reason for selecting a pack of cards). No cross-outs, no white-out and no mistakes – otherwise, you come across as unprofessional.
And if you’re still not sure how to compose the perfect thank you letter or card, be sure to visit GrandResume for tips, ideas and resources that will ensure your card is noticed and appreciated. Remember, an interviewer might not remember verbatim what the letter or card says, but you can be sure any mistakes or writing errors won’t be forgotten. That, of course, is the last thing you want.
