The art and importance of the thank you letter is often underestimated. I absolutely believe this on both a personal and professional level. This article is specifically for the professional scenario. A thank you letter can be the difference between getting passed over and getting the job; it also makes a difference in graduate school interviews.
Tips on a knock-out thank you letter:
- Keep it short and sweet
- Make it personal
- Reference your qualifications and compatibility with the company
- State your interest
- Don’t forget you can always mention something you forgot to bring up in the interview
- Always proofread…more than twice!
There’s some controversy as to which method is better: email versus handwritten. I’m going to go out on a limb and say I love handwritten, it’s just so much more personal and gives you a small opportunity to showcase your style. But then again, I’m a stationary freak too, so that may have something to do with it. The best advice I can give is to pay attention to the climate of the company, and go with your gut instinct.
A stellar thank you letter gives you the opportunity to trigger the hiring manager’s memory and really underscore your compatibility and qualifications for the position…don’t let the golden opportunity pass you by!
If you’re interested in reading samples check out this link and this one, too.
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