Thank You letters for an interview?
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I am confused by this... I was taught to send a thank you letter... but whether I send it or not has never affected getting a job offer (because I have always received a job offer after every interview... ) I feel it is old fashioned. Who do I send the letter to? If I am interviewed by 10 people... (I've been to a 6 hour interview before - multiple people in each session), who do I send the "Thank You" to? Not the HR person who greeted me... he isn't doing the hiring. Which technical person do I send it to? What if each one doesn't give a business card, so I don't know how to reach that person. Should I write 10 letters to each one :sigh: These days, I just throw a email out to whoever I can and call it a day - for context this is in the USA... there may be cultural differences elsewhere.
The hiring manager and/or the person who influences the hiring manager is all that matters. During the interview one of the most valuable bits of information is to figure out the power structure. Since it's not always obvious, I often just ask who I would be reporting to and who would be dictating what I do on a daily basis. (I've had several jobs where my official manager defered to the [technical] team lead, since that's who the hiree would work with the most.) BTW, I had an interview late last year for a job I really didn't want. But the interview went very well and the hiring manager was a nice guy, so I wrote a thanks, but no thanks email. No reason to burn that bridge to the ground.
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Fill in the groveling boiler plate letter? No. Write your OWN letter in your OWN words? Yes. Whether they called you or you called them, it doesn't hurt to write back and it's good practice. How much time will it take and what would you otherwise do with the time? If they interviewed other candidates who sent in 'boiler plate' letters and yours is personal, which do you think will be noticed? Tim
I concur. As having to be the interviewer on more than a few instances at multiple companies, I appreciated receiving a "thank you letter" from the candidates. I ranked those who sent me a personal letter above those who did not bother. I also appreciated it when the candidate took the time in their letter to expand on a weak verbal answer or to correct what they felt might have been a miscommunication in the face-to-face interview. You do not have to grovel. Just say "thank you for taking time from your busy day to talk with me" and anything else you might want to clarify. Good luck -- Jalapeño Bob
Lord, grant me the serenity to accept that there are some things I just can’t keep up with, the determination to keep up with the things I must keep up with, and the wisdom to find a good RSS feed from someone who keeps up with what I’d like to, but just don’t have the damn bandwidth to handle right now. © 2009, Rex Hammock
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The hiring manager and/or the person who influences the hiring manager is all that matters. During the interview one of the most valuable bits of information is to figure out the power structure. Since it's not always obvious, I often just ask who I would be reporting to and who would be dictating what I do on a daily basis. (I've had several jobs where my official manager defered to the [technical] team lead, since that's who the hiree would work with the most.) BTW, I had an interview late last year for a job I really didn't want. But the interview went very well and the hiring manager was a nice guy, so I wrote a thanks, but no thanks email. No reason to burn that bridge to the ground.
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I do remember reading a reply from a request to surrender from a commander somewhere in Hungary (or surroundings) around year 1000 or so. In the letter he basically said, No I wont surrender, you'd have to fight us. However it amounted to a full A4 page with normal 14 size font of insults of what you mother was/wanted/should be doing to other animals, and that your sisters and brothers were doing on their spare time etc. It was stunning to read, and quite funny.
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Hi All, I have been sent a grovelling boiler plate letter to fill in and email to a company I had an interview with last week, should I? I ask as this is the widest spread I can think of (Juniors to Seniors). The role looked interesting, the location was a bit awkward. It's just the fact 'they' are the party asking you, rather you asking them. I accept that it changes every so often but I have seen it in the book "What Colour (Color) is my Parachute" but I have had chance to get to it yet.:confused:
I am not sure I am reading it correctly. Did they send you an email to fill out, that makes it sound like you are groveling for the position, or they were groveling for you to fill it out. But if you are still interested in the position, this could be a test. Can you follow directions? What is your response time, how interested are you in the position. If you craft your own response be sure to answer all of their questions, so that they can compare your answers, and you don't miss anything. It is competitive out there right now. We have to separate people to determine who to make the offers to.
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I am not sure I am reading it correctly. Did they send you an email to fill out, that makes it sound like you are groveling for the position, or they were groveling for you to fill it out. But if you are still interested in the position, this could be a test. Can you follow directions? What is your response time, how interested are you in the position. If you craft your own response be sure to answer all of their questions, so that they can compare your answers, and you don't miss anything. It is competitive out there right now. We have to separate people to determine who to make the offers to.
It was from the agent for me to send to client. It just made me sound like I would be a 'grovelling Igor'...Having done two interviews this week I am now wondering if that is expected of me. I mean if the company wasn't advertising and gave me an interview I would I am putting them out to see me, as I am replying to an advert they have posted they are expecting to have to take time out...
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It was from the agent for me to send to client. It just made me sound like I would be a 'grovelling Igor'...Having done two interviews this week I am now wondering if that is expected of me. I mean if the company wasn't advertising and gave me an interview I would I am putting them out to see me, as I am replying to an advert they have posted they are expecting to have to take time out...
Then replying in your own words, sincerely, is best. Make it personal (Our motto is that it is all about people). Use the names you learned. If you are interested in the position, tell them what jazzes you about the work, the team, and the environment. They are looking for a fit. Don't grovel. Nobody wants someone who is desperate sounding. We want people who are confident, excited, passionate, and willing to work with losers like us... LOL Enjoy!
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Hi All, I have been sent a grovelling boiler plate letter to fill in and email to a company I had an interview with last week, should I? I ask as this is the widest spread I can think of (Juniors to Seniors). The role looked interesting, the location was a bit awkward. It's just the fact 'they' are the party asking you, rather you asking them. I accept that it changes every so often but I have seen it in the book "What Colour (Color) is my Parachute" but I have had chance to get to it yet.:confused:
<2¢> How bad do you want the job? Seriously. How bad? If it's a position that you want (not just need), then consider that you are competing with other candidates. From a "marketing myself" perspective, "face space" is all important. Think of the thank you letter as an opportunity to get your face in the hiring company's space; otherwise you're just another unremarkable tree swaying in the forest. If the position or the company isn't really doing it for you, then don't waste your time; move on to fertilizing the next, more appealing opportunity. </2¢>
Cheers, Mike Fidler "I intend to live forever - so far, so good." Steven Wright "I almost had a psychic girlfriend but she left me before we met." Also Steven Wright
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FOAD == Flutter Off And Die... GDIAF == Go Die In A Fire... GDIAFBOT == Go Die In A Flaming Ball Of Tar :-D
veni bibi saltavi
How about wishing them a flaming necklace? (Rubber tire around your neck filled with gasoline and then lit)
Psychosis at 10 Film at 11 Those who do not remember the past, are doomed to repeat it. Those who do not remember the past, cannot build upon it.
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“Nuts” – Brig. General Anthony C. McAuliffe 101st Airborne Division Bastogne, 22 Dec 1944
Now that is a ingenious answer :)