interview thank you note- how long?

sondra_finchley · #1 10-23-2006, 12:42 PM

Folks-

My aunt the HR director suggested a small note is appropriate, other websites suggest using it to your advantage to point out your brilliance some more. I feel uncomfortable with the latter because I wanted to write a sincere note. What do others use/recommend? It seems that for him a short note would be fine, but if I get time with the last interviewer then that person should get the selling note.

Any opinions?

weary · #2 10-23-2006, 12:47 PM

why can't you write a sincere note that "highlights your brilliance" at the same time?

i don't quite understand who you're writing the note to ("him" or "the last interviewer"), but thank-you notes should generally go to the HR person you met with and the hiring manager. any others you met with can be CC'ed or left off if the meetings were much shorter.

also, the best way to "highlight your brilliance" is to make mention of something that was discussed in the interview that correlates to your experience or skill set, and how you could "contribute to the team/success" or similar.

good luck.

CTGirl · #3 10-23-2006, 01:15 PM

I personally don't like the idea of "bragging" in a thank-you note, but some people do it. I would thank them for their time and emphasize that you are still very much interested in the position and that it seemed like a good fit for you and leave it at that.

cache · #4 10-23-2006, 01:17 PM

Yeah, not too long:

Thanks for the interview...really excited....looking forward to...great company...

It is a good idea to throw in a little something mentioned in the interview - perhaps an answer that you didn't do so well on, or couldn't fully answer.

sondra_finchley · #5 10-23-2006, 02:03 PM

I condensed it down- wrote about how nice it was to meet him, mentioned something we spoke about and how excited I was to work with it, and noted about qualifications and experience would be good for job. All in 4 lines. Thought it turned out sincere and pointed without being braggy.

This guy isnt the hiring manager, but he has input to the decision and is the boss of the other person i had a phone interview with. The next interviewer is the boss of all the people I have already spoken with (two of these were by phone). Frankly, Im not sure who is making the decision or who is the hiring manager- I think it will be on a concensus basis.

CTGirl · #6 10-23-2006, 02:05 PM

Yeah, usually these things are decided by a group of people, not just one person, so make sure that if you're sending a thank-you to one, you send it to them all.

Skyblade · #7 10-23-2006, 02:08 PM

I wouldn't call it "bragging". I always make sure to mention something they "may have missed" in the interview.

Also, when writing more than one thank you note, I make sure to personalize each letter. Handwritten is always better as well.

weary · #8 10-23-2006, 02:32 PM

good work!

regardless of who you decide to send it to, you should probably try to figure out (or just ask) who would be your boss/who is the hiring manager.

also, while i tend to agree with sky on the handwritten thing (it just stands out more, from a recruiter's perspecitve), it depends on the interview process. if it's fairly quick and you will be going back for another round in a couple days, do email.

spokes · #9 10-24-2006, 01:23 AM

sometimes it can be useful to write direct, and different notes to each person that interviewed you. each note would be tailored to suit the questions that person asked you.

SpaceMonkey · #10 10-24-2006, 01:53 AM

Don't brag. Point out something that the interviewer said that interested you, and use it to highlight what it is about your background and qualifications that made you interested in the position.

Priya · #11 10-24-2006, 12:01 PM

You should always jot down who interviewed you, and their positions if they mention it. When you send a thank you note, make sure that you either send it to all on the panel, or to the hiring manager and tell them to pass it on to the others. If you're ever unsure, you can always ask HR - they can answer a lot of questions that you would rather not ask the hiring manager.

Bragging about yourself is obnoxious. Tying your skills to what was discussed in the interview is more appropriate. You should also show your appreciation for the interview and the opportunity to meet with the group (or person) and that you would look forward, if given the chance, to be a member of the team.