The Facts About Thank You Letters

Fact - Sending a formulated thank you letter is not enough these days. It is expected after an interview that the potential employee send a thank you letter. Your letter needs to stand out; it should grab attention and further highlight what you can bring to the company. Generic letters do not cut it in a highly competitive market. Your letter should reflect the tone of the interview.

Fact - Not sending a thank you note is fatal. Thank you letters and follow up letters are part of job-hunting protocol. If you fail to do so you will be eliminated from the race undoing all the hard work you put in to get there. Most employers will think you are rude and will not consider you for the job.

Fact - A thank you letter is a vital marketing tool. A thank you letter, like cover letters are a tool for selling your unique attributes. The thank you letter offers you the opportunity to reinforce your skills and qualifications in relation to the position. After an interview you will have a better idea about the audience you are writing to so you can target your letter more effectively. Self-promotion is a requirement for serious job seekers.

Fact - Specifics get results. When it comes to the thank you letter there is no excuse for not knowing whom you are addressing. The most effective way to set you apart is to connect personally with the employer. Also relate the points in your letter to specific points of discussion in the interview. Be specific about the ways in which you view your skills as assets to the position and company.

Fact - Thank you letters should be sent out within 48 hours of the interview. It is important to follow up promptly after you have concluded your interview. Remember your potential employer will be getting lots of thank you letters so you should try get this done as soon as possible. If you are struggling to write something a quick thank you note written immediately after will suffice until you have crafted a suitable letter. But don't leave it any longer than a week or you won't be considered.

Fact - Less is more. Like all marketing material you need to get to the point quickly. Essentially you should grab their attention in the first paragraph. A well-written succinct and professional thank you letter may just be the defining factor of your job search. Keep it simple and brief and make your points clearly.

Fact - A thank you letter is only one part of your follow up. It is advisable to phone your interviewer within a week of sending the letter. You can use this conversation to ask if your letter was received and then move on to discuss areas that may still be unclear. Finally you should enquire as to the progress of your application. This will provide further opportunity to connect with the employer and hopefully strengthen your relationship with the person who will be making the decision.

Fact - Even if you don't want the job you should send a thank you letter. If you decide you don't want the position after the interview you should still send a thank you letter. This is simply professional courtesy and will ensure that future opportunities are a possibility. Thank you letters are also a great way to network.

Fact - Thank you letters get results. Following up an interview with a thank you letter is a great way to enhance your opportunities. Even if you don't get the job you are laying the platform for future networking. A thank you letter is a networking tool. They can be useful for making contacts within the company, with a recruiter or with people in your industry.

Click here to go to the next thank you letter article - Common thank you letter errors and how they can be avoided

Click here to see the full list of thank you letter articles.

Click here to see the full career article library.

Get An Interview Offer Every Time You Send Out Your Resume. Free Samples And Resume Critique.

Call Or E-mail Now To Start. You Will Be Delighted With The Results.

Professional-Resumes.com