Why write a Thank You letter?
You may lose your opportunity of
getting the job if you neglect to write a job interview thank you
letter.
Many job/internship seekers are busy
thinking about perfecting their resume but give very little thought
to the thank you letter(s) that accompany their job search. If you
think about it, the very first thing an employer will see when they
open your envelope is your thank you letter. Thus, the quality of
that job interview thank you letter is equally as important as your
resume.
Once you have met with the person in
an interview, it is appropriate to write a thank you letter.
Your opportunity to demonstrate to the
employer, one more time, how your skills and qualifications are a
good fit for the position can be relayed when you send a job
interview thank you letter. The thank you letter reiterates topics
discussed during the interview. When you send a job interview thank
you letter it reinforces to the interviewer how hiring you could meet
his/her needs. The final paragraph of your job interview thank you
letter can also serve to remind the interviewer about when and how
you will be hearing from them.
Like all letters written in the job
search process, a job interview thank you letter is a typed business
thank you letter.
To WRITE A THANK YOU LETTER is an
important step in the process:
- The thank you letter shows that you
understand and practice good business etiquette.
- The job interview thank you letter
gives you a chance to reinforce some of the positive things you
said in the interview.
You have several advantages in a thank
you letter that you don't have in a cover letter. A cover letter is
probably written before you've seen the workplace from the inside.
- The job interview thank you letter
is more personal and lets you talk about the workplace you have
seen, and how you feel you would fit into that workplace.
- Once you have seen the work station
you describe things you've done that are like the job you seek in
the interview thank you letter.
- The job interview thank you letter
puts that picture in the employer's head.
- A good interview thank you letter
can help the employer decide in your favor.
- When you write a thank you letter,
identify some value that the employer has somehow described and
that you share that value e.g. if the employer emphasized working
with details, emphasize detailed work is one of your strengths in
your job interview thank you letter.
Listen carefully for the values in the
interview...then identify them in the interview thank you letter.
Keep the thank you letter brief!
Actually, in the course of your job
search you will need to write thank you letters and The Houston Job
Search will assist in all these avenues. The Houston Job Search will
provide an overview of the content of each of these business and
thank you letters and provide appropriate formats. Examples will be
provided, but when you write each letter make sure you write your
own. Put your own creativity and personality into your letters:
- letters of inquiry
- networking letters
- cover letters
- thank you letters
- job acceptance letters
- letters declining a job offer
- delay letters
- letters asking for a recommendation
Houston Job Search reminds you about
the contents when you write a thank you letter for job interview:
- Write a thank you letter to the
employer for his or her time during the interview.
- Mention what you learned during the
interview when you write a thank you letter, specifically those
things you feel you are qualified to do.
- Write a job interview thank you
letter inviting the employer to contact you for more information if
necessary.
- When you write a job interview
thank you letter mention that you are looking forward to the
employer's positive decision.
- You can also add anything that you
forget to mention in the interview when you write a job interview
thank you letter.
- The job interview thank you letter
should be sent within 3 to 4 days of your interview.
- Write a job interview thank you
letter to each person with whom you interviewed.
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#1 Sample Thank You letter:
Jenny Fairweather
7777 Greenbrier Lane
Joy, OH 00000
386-555-0345
Mr. Garth Ledbetter
Blue Sky Communications, Inc.
5555 W. Highway Terrace
Peace, OH 88888
Dear Mr. Ledbetter,
Thank you for taking the time to meet
with me at the Central Ohio Career Fair today. I certainly appreciate
your time and attention in the midst of so many students seeking
jobs.
You were extremely thorough in
explaining Blue Sky’s marketing trainee program. Now that I have a
better idea of what the position entails, I am certain that I would
be an asset to your team and to Blue Sky.
My solid education from Heavenly
University's Marketing Department and the fact that I have worked my
way through college show a work ethic and determination, two
qualities you said were important to success at Blue Sky
Communications.
I look forward to an opportunity to
visit Blue Sky’s Head office and speak to you further about the
trainee program. I will contact you next week to arrange an
appointment.
Thank you again for your time and
consideration.
Sincerely,
Jenny Fairweather
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#2 Sample Thank You letter:
Jane S. Doe
5555 Red Avenue
Aqua Sky, OH 55555
October 11, 2001
Ms. Biggy Shot
Vice President
ABC Masters, Inc.
1450 Success Drive, Suite 007
Campus Pointe, OH 88888
Dear Ms. Shot,
Thank you for the interview and tour
of your company last week. I am impressed with ABC Masters’ strong
marketing plans and strategy for achieving your objectives. During
the interview, you stressed the necessity for developing new
strategic plans and tracking their success. I know I would be a
terrific addition to your team.
ABC Masters will be the ideal company
to continue my career as a marketing professional. I will be
available immediately to begin work with your firm. I hope to hear
from you soon.
Sincerely yours,
Jim S. Doe
Jim S. Doe
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#3 Sample Thank You letter:
007 Chateau Lagriffe
Ma Cherie, New Mexico 00770
(555) 555-5555
October 11, 2001
Merlyn Spovek
Director of Human Resources
ACE Promoters
5566 Main Street
Roulette, LA 33333
Dear Ms. Spovek:
Thank you for the opportunity to
discuss your opening for a Marketing Executive. I enjoyed meeting
with you and Mr. Tallorder and learning more about ACE Union.
I believe that my experience at the
Department of Tourism and my educational background in statistics,
travel and leisure, and hotel administration qualify me for the
position. My extensive knowledge of computers and web design software
would also be especially valuable to me as a Marketing Executive
promoting travel with your firm.
I was particularly impressed with ACE
Promoter’s strong commitment to innovation and growth, as well as its
plans to expand into the cruise market. I feel that this type of
environment would challenge me to do my best work.
I would like to meet with you again to
further discuss this position. If I do not hear from you within the
next five days, I will call you to schedule a time that is convenient
for us both. In the meantime, I will be happy to provide any other
information you may need to assist in your decision.
Sincerely,
Jane Smith
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