7. Thank you letter

After your interview, you should write a thank-you letter to your interviewee. This person may be valuable to you later. It is also just the right thing to do.

Many places don’t automatically let people know if they haven’t got the job, so ONE follow-up call is allowable. No matter how badly you think the interview went, if you want the job, always send a follow-up interview letter.

If you don’t get the job and you’re curious why not, phone up and get some feedback. It may help you for the next interview.

Writing a THANK YOU NOTE after an employment interview is a MUST!! In fact, some employers think less of those interviewees who fail to follow-up promptly.

Plan to send out your thank you letters as soon as possible(within 24 hours) after your interviews. If time is of essence, it’s appropriate to send a thank you letter via email.

7.1 Thank you letter tips

• Act Fast

• Group Letters – choose your approach based on what you think will be most in keeping with the personality of the organization. Consider whether the interviews had very much in common with one another. If so, all the people on a master letter and add a personal note to each. Otherwise, send a personalized letter to each interviewer.

• More Employment Thank You Letters – also thank everyone else who assists with your job search.

• Make an Impression – use your letter as a way to stand out from the crowd and make a good impression.

• What You Didn’t Say – if there was something that you wish you had mentioned during the interview, here’s your chance to say it by including it in your thank you letter.

• Thank You Letter Basics – can be handwritten, typed or sent via email. Each thank you letter should include a thank you for the interview, your interest in the jobs, your qualifications and skills and a final thank you.

• Short and Simple – do use the letter to repeat your interest in the job, your enthusiasm for the company and to sell yourself as the ideal candidate

• Proof Your Letter- spell check and proof your thank you letter. Then ask someone to proof it for you.

• Bottom Line – it is always appropriate to say thank you!

7.2 Layout

7.3 Words and phrases

Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule

It was a pleasure finally meeting you, regarding……………………………………

It was very enjoyable to speak with you about…………………..

I appreciate the time you took to interview me.

The job, as you presented it, seems to be…………………………………………

I am interested in working for you.

……look forward to hearing from you about this position.

The job seems to be an excellent match for (my skills and interest)

…….confirmed my desire to work with you.

I appreciate your time and consideration in interviewing me for this position

After speaking with.....

I believe that I would be a perfect candidate for this position

In addition to my enthusiasm for performing well

I would bring.......

..... necessary to get the job done

Please feel free to contact me at anytime if further information is needed

Thank you again for your time and consideration

It was very enjoyable to talk to you about.....................

.....once the decisions are made regarding this position

Thank you again for your time.

I want to reiterate (повторять) my strong interest in .........

7.4 Exercise

Complete the thank you letter using the words from the box.

7.5 Class task

You have just gone through an interview for an oil and gas company. Write a thank you letter.

7.6 Task assignment

Look through your thank letter. Check grammar, spelling and copy it out.

8. Additional resources

1. Sweaty Palms: The Neglected Art of Being Interviewed (1993), The Speed Press, Canada

2. Richard H. Beatty: The Interview Kit, 2000 USA