So I've heard that after every job interview you're offered, you have to write a thank you letter to the interviewers. I just had one yesterday for an administrative assistant position at a podiatry clinic. Went pretty well, BTW, but I'll be content with whatever the resolution is. Anyway, my question is, do I have to write one even if it's just for a part-time position? If so, what exactly should I write? Do I have to make it long and fancy? Please help. Thanks. :)

If you want the job, even if it's parttime, write the letter. Can be done by email, and even a phone call really (if you know the person's number - if not, google to see if you can find it).

Just short and sweet, directed to the interviewer (if there's more than one, to the person you'd report to). Just thank them again for taking the time to consider you, let them know that you're interested and enthusiastic about the position and that you look forward to hearing from them so that you might contribute to their continued growth and success (or something to that effect - end on a positive note). Sign sincerely, and you're done! ;)

(I can do these in my sleep by now! :rolleyes: )

GoOd LuCk!

If you want the job, even if it's parttime, write the letter. Can be done by email, and even a phone call really (if you know the person's number - if not, google to see if you can find it).

Just short and sweet, directed to the interviewer (if there's more than one, to the person you'd report to). Just thank them again for taking the time to consider you, let them know that you're interested and enthusiastic about the position and that you look forward to hearing from them so that you might contribute to their continued growth and success (or something to that effect - end on a positive note). Sign sincerely, and you're done! ;)

(I can do these in my sleep by now! :rolleyes: )

GoOd LuCk!

Thanks Cathie. :) Should it be type-written or can I just send a hand-written thank you card?

Thanks Cathie. :) Should it be type-written or can I just send a hand-written thank you card?

If you've got really nice handwriting, it can be handwritten. Quite often people can tell a lot about you about your handwriting and it might work in your favour - otherwise, type off something in "Arial" or "Times New Roman" font.
If you do send a card though, make sure it's not flowery - just plain stationery. ;) Glad I could help.

(When I was laid off a few years ago I got free career counselling. I've got a big binder with worksheets, etiquette and examples of networking, reference, cover and thank you letters. It's been really helpful.)

Thanks again. :heart:

:lol: quite off the subject, this just reminded me about when i took a business class in high school. we did pretend job interviews with each other and send out acception/rejection letters afterward, one of mine said this:

"Dear Mrs. Sara,

Thank you for your interview. We would like to inform you that we cannot add you to our staff."

I have never written a thank you letter to a job interviewer. That is so weird. Seems like a brown noser thing to do. But hey everyone has their opinion.

I have never written a thank you letter to a job interviewer. That is so weird. Seems like a brown noser thing to do. But hey everyone has their opinion.


Me either, and I interview people a lot and I've never received a Thank You letter:lol: It would totally seem like a suck up letter if I ever got one. But to each it's own I guess.

Absolutely do a follow up thank you note. I would advise handwritten. Keep it brief. Thank the interviewer for their time and the opportunity to apply for the job.
Its another way to also mention why you are qualified for the job, make you stand out in their mind, and it reinforces your interest and motivation for the position.
Don't underestimate the impression this seemingly small gesture makes.

Good luck:)

Yeah, I had some second thoughts about doing it because I thought it'd come off as sucking up. :lol: But apparently, it's always good to follow up. Thanks for your input everyone! I just made a short little handwritten letter on a thank you card and it should arrive at the clinic sometime within the next couple of days. :D

Me either, and I interview people a lot and I've never received a Thank You letter:lol: It would totally seem like a suck up letter if I ever got one. But to each it's own I guess.


It's not choice - it's what all career counselling and employment insurance tells you do it. It's not sucking up - it's business etiquette.

Whenever you send out a resume you should also be following up with phone calls (unless the place specifically requests "no phone calls please"). Job hunting should be a fulltime job in itself.

http://jobsearch.about.com/od/thankyouletters/a/thankyouletters.htm

http://www.quintcareers.com/sample_thank-you_letters.html

http://www.houston-job-search.com/interview_thank_you_letters.htm

I just got a job elsewhere. :p

Congratulatons on your job!

I've always sent a hand written note after being interviewed. On the other side of the fence, I am always impressed when I receive a thank you note after I interview a person. To me it shows that they have the ability to follow through.

Thank you for the interview letters are a must. Anyone who knows anything about interviewing knows this. My husband had a job interview for the job he has now. I wrote his cover letter, resume and thank you letter for him. After he was hired, his boss told him that they had narrowed the search down to him and another equally qualified candidate, and that it was the thank you letter that gave my husband the edge.

Me either, and I interview people a lot and I've never received a Thank You letter:lol: It would totally seem like a suck up letter if I ever got one. But to each it's own I guess.
You must be interviewing some really bad mannered people there. Everyone knows the etiquette regarding thank you letters after interviews.

Thank you for the interview letters are a must. Anyone who knows anything about interviewing knows this. My husband had a job interview for the job he has now. I wrote his cover letter, resume and thank you letter for him. After he was hired, his boss told him that they had narrowed the search down to him and another equally qualified candidate, and that it was the thank you letter that gave my husband the edge.


I was thinking it came off as NEEDY when I was first told to do it but I did it anyway. I looked at it the same way as calling a girl 3 hours after the first date ended which would also seem needy-lol

I was thinking it came off as NEEDY when I was first told to do it but I did it anyway. I looked at it the same way as calling a girl 3 hours after the first date ended which would also seem needy-lol
No, it's good manners and good business sense. It's considered rude if one is not sent. I had an interview once, and I had to meet with five people in the department. I actually had to write five separate thank you notes. Nothing fancy, just reiterate why I was suited for the job, thank you for their time, just summarize in general. Not sending one is really frowned upon. I learned that in college over 20 years ago in some course about business ethics and preparing for the business world.

No it's good manners and good business sense. It's considered rude if one is not sent. I had an interview once, and I had to meet with five people in the department. I actually had to write five separate thank you notes. Nothing fancy, just reiterate why I was suited for the job, thank you for their time, just summarize in general. Not sending one is really frowned upon. I learned that in college over 20 years ago in some course about business ethics and preparing for the business world.


Exactly - it also gives you another shot at pointing out your attributes that are a good fit for the position. They might interview 10 people in a day and the candidates get "blurred". A followup letter can remind them of an important point about you.

It's amazing some of the things I've seen. People showing up to fill out an application without a pen. Shows me you're not prepared - I write "NO" at the top of the application immediately when you hand that in to me. People showing up in jeans, capris or kaki's. I don't care if you're going for a construction job - you dress business casual at the very least to show respect. And always ask at least one question near the end of the interview. If you don't, it looks like you're not interested or just don't care.

It's always smart to do a little research about the company, and to include a line or two of that in your cover letter and thank you letter.

It's always smart to do a little research about the company, and to include a line or two of that in your cover letter and thank you letter.

For sure. The company I'm being considered by right now even said that. The job was posted on Monster through an agency. The company doesn't have a careers section on their website so I took the info from Monster and applied directly online on their website. The title of who I'd be reporting to was on the job description so I just researched who exactly that person was and included it in the cover letter. I also don't know one software package they wanted experience for but I learn them easily and independently. I mentioned that in my resume and discussed it openly at the first interview. I researched it and found out what it does and is capable of. He said he has no concerns that I could learn it and that at least I researched it.
I also was able to tell the HR Manager more of the company history than she could which impressed them both.

Everything extra you do during the process shows them what kind of person you are and what lengths you go to (aside from sending a gift basket :lol: )

Today's business world is so competitive that sometimes, it's one tiny little thing that gets you the job.

For sure. The company I'm being considered by right now even said that. The job was posted on Monster through an agency. The company doesn't have a careers section on their website so I took the info from Monster and applied directly online on their website. The title of who I'd be reporting to was on the job description so I just researched who exactly that person was and included it in the cover letter. I also don't know one software package they wanted experience for but I learn them easily and independently. I mentioned that in my resume and discussed it openly at the first interview. I researched it and found out what it does and is capable of. He said he has no concerns that I could learn it and that at least I researched it.
I also was able to tell the HR Manager more of the company history than she could which impressed them both.

Everything extra you do during the process shows them what kind of person you are and what lengths you go to (aside from sending a gift basket :lol: )

Today's business world is so competitive that sometimes, it's one tiny little thing that gets you the job.



I deleted MONSTER.COM off my server because I never was called for an Interview when applying to jobs on that site. Only careerbuilder

I deleted MONSTER.COM off my server because I never was called for an Interview when applying to jobs on that site. Only careerbuilder
Funny - I've never had any luck with careerbuilder - or really workopolis for that matter. Most of the jobs posted are bogus lost leaders recruiters put up. I really only scan them to get names of large or good companies I recognize. lol
I then go to the company's website to research it a bit.

I posted my resume on Monster and just got spam :rolleyes:

And always ask at least one question near the end of the interview. If you don't, it looks like you're not interested or just don't care.
Does it matter what question you ask? Could I ask if there are any cute guys working there, or is it okay to surf the net if your boss isn't looking, or are two hour lunches okay, and speaking of food, where are the best places for grub in the area? :lol:

Does it matter what question you ask? Could I ask if there are any cute guys working there, or is it okay to surf the net if your boss isn't looking, or are two hour lunches okay, and speaking of food, where are the best places for grub in the area? :lol:


I asked questions like-"What's is the company's goal in the next five years and what other companies are you in compeition with?

I honestly had never heard of a thank you note before...even after having t aken a "business" class in high school. But recently, when we've been interviewing people at work, they've sent letters in. Kinda weirded me out a bit, but seemed like it showed interest in the job at least.

Does it matter what question you ask? Could I ask if there are any cute guys working there, or is it okay to surf the net if your boss isn't looking, or are two hour lunches okay, and speaking of food, where are the best places for grub in the area? :lol:
:lol: Yeah, I don't think those would go over well. That, or , so how long's the lunch break - how much vacation and sick time? Can I drink on Friday's?
Two questions never to ask during the first interview - salary or vacation!

Solomon's questions were good.

It's funny, but if you're not really interested, you still make up something - like the corporate structure, their mission, goals, etc.. - even if you could care less. :lol: