Thank You Letters

Thank You Letters

This is one of the most important yet least used tools in a job search. It is used to establish goodwill, to express appreciation, and/or to strengthen your candidacy. The basic rule of thumb is that everyone who helps you in any way gets a thank-you letter. When used to follow up on employment interviews, thank-you letter should be sent out within 24 hours to everyone who interviewed you. If that is not possible or appropriate to send a thank-you letter to everyone you met during the interview, then send a thank-you letter to your host or the the highest ranking manager you met with the request to extend your appreciation to the entire group. Also, be sure to send thank-you letters to each of your contacts who granted you information interviews and to people who provided references for you.

Tips:
Make your thank-you letters warm and personal, and use them as an opportunity to:

Express your sincere appreciation
Reemphasize your strongest qualification. Draw attention to the good match between your qualifications and the job requirements.
Reiterate your interest in the position. Use the opportunity to provide or offer supplemental information not previously given.
Restate your appreciation.

Sample Thank-you Letter
2392 Hume Street
Richmond, VA 23333
May 31, 2001


Mr. Will U. Hireme
Corporate Recruiter
XYZ Corporation
Richmond, VA 23333

Dear Mr. Hireme:

I want to thank you very much for interviewing me yesterday for the Patient Representative position. I enjoyed meeting you and learning more about your organization.

My enthusiasm for the position and my interest in working for XYZ Corporation were strengthened as a result of the interview. As you may recall form our discussion, I have had extensive coursework in Psychology, as well as an internship with Lewis-Gale Hospital. I was especially excited about this opportunity when I learned of your desire for a person with previous experience in a hospital setting. I think my education and cooperative education experiences fit nicely with the job requirements, and I am sure that I could make a significant contribution to your organization over time.

I want the reiterate my strong interest in the position and in working with you and your staff. You provide the kind of opportunity I seek. Please feel free to contact me at (804) 685-5555 or fferrum@ferrum.edu if I can provide you with additional information.

Again, thank you for the interview and your consideration.

Sincerely.

Freeda T. Ferrum