Regardless of how the interview went, or whether or not you are still interested in the position, sending a thank you note is essential. It’s surprising how many candidates forget to follow up properly after an interview, as most jobseekers focus all their energy on the interview. In fact, the follow up is what often distinguishes one candidate apart from the others. In the final stages of the recruiting process there are usually several top candidates, each with different strengths and weaknesses. Interviewers see many candidates and have a tough decision to make so here are a few things you can do to set yourself apart from the others:
* Ask for your interviewer`s business card at the end of an interview so you have their contact information to follow up
* Ask about the timing for the hiring process to get an understanding of the timeline and what to expect
* Decide what format your thank you note should be in: email vs. snail mail and send it as soon as possible, no later than 24 hours. A thank you note adds value to your candidacy while giving you another chance to show your enthusiasm and reiterate why you`re a good fit.
* It is ok to follow up with a phone call within a week or two to ask about the position, but be sure to assess the situation first, depending on the employer`s timeline - be careful here, as it`s good to follow up, but not too much
You can create a powerful thank you note by keeping it simple and short. There are 3 main components:
1. Thank you
2. Recap the conversation, clarify information if necessary and address any concerns about your qualifications that came up during the interview
3. Restate your expertise and why you are a good fit, show your enthusiasm (I am a good fit because xyz and my past experience in xyz)
Don`t forget to alert your references so they are informed and ready should they receive a call about you. And finally, be patient, as the hiring process can take longer than expected.
Tags: thank you
Jena joined the CSPD as the Assistant Director of Recruitment and Professional Development with over 4 years career services experience including a background in corporate recruiting. She is excited to work collaboratively with the Fox School students regarding career search strategies and hopes students gain some additional insight into the job search through “Opportunity Knocks”.
Kel is an undergrad majoring in Management Information Systems, graduating in 2010. He is very involved and hopes to share some of his experiences with other students. His goal is to motivate others to do their best. He believes that with a little inspiration you can get where you want to be. Through this blog, he wants to show you that opportunities are out there.