Thanks for the Interview: The
Letter that Gives Job Seekers an Edge
For candidates seeking an edge, sending the interviewer a customized thank
you is critical, according to The Wall Street Journal, Dec 2005. You're helping to jog her/his memories of you because recruiters typically
interview several candidates for a position and cannot remember all the
nuances of each and every interview.
Simply sending a thank you letter isn't enough to stand out from the
competition. The letter has to be both personalized and
well-crafted, and on stationery that matches your earlier letter of
application and résumé. Here are tips to help you:
- Proofread beyond spelling & grammar:
If you're interviewing with several employers, check that each letter shows
the correct company and recruiter name. A thank you letter addressed
to a competitor can be a gaffe that costs the candidate a second interview.
Paying attention to detail is very important!
- Reiterate your best qualities:
Candidates can get lost in the shuffle, and they are rediscovered when the
thank you letter restates their strong points. A thank you letter is
literally the last chance candidates have to sell themselves to employers.
- Show off your listening skills:
One candidate photocopied an article from a trade publication to include
in his thank you letter. It spoke to the very issue that he and the
interviewer had talked about in their meeting. It told the recruiter
that this candidate was really focused on what was going on in their
conversation.
- Tap into the employer's culture--but keep it professional:
It's definitely a plus when candidates show they're aware of the culture
of the company. No matter how laid-back a company appears to be,
however, it's important that your correspondence follows the rules of proper
business etiquette.
- Write to every executive you meet:
If you interview with more than one person at a company, send each a
customized letter of thanks. For ideas on what to write, think back to
topics discussed during the interview.
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