“Developing a Thank You Letter Following a Job Interview” Written by Deborah S. Ray Presented by Gyeong Lee

Introduction Why it is important to send a thank you letter following a job interview. Why it is important to send a thank you letter following a job interview. Advantages and Disadvantages of different types of letter format. Advantages and Disadvantages of different types of letter format. What needs to be consider when planning the letter. What needs to be consider when planning the letter. What your should include when developing the letter. What your should include when developing the letter.

Importance of sending a letter following a job interview because… It can help you get the attention of potential employers. It can help you get the attention of potential employers. It can help ensure your name stays in their minds and that your materials are reviewed and not lost in a pile of applications. It can help ensure your name stays in their minds and that your materials are reviewed and not lost in a pile of applications. It offers yet another sample of your writing skill. It offers yet another sample of your writing skill. -A well-written and polished letter demonstrate your skills. It gives you an opportunity to provide details that weren’t covered in the interview. It gives you an opportunity to provide details that weren’t covered in the interview. It gives you and opportunity to remind interviewers of your qualifications and experience. It gives you and opportunity to remind interviewers of your qualifications and experience. It gives you an opportunity to invite additional questions. It gives you an opportunity to invite additional questions. It gives you opportunity to express your interest in the position. It gives you opportunity to express your interest in the position.

Choosing a Letter Format I. A Business Letter Advantages It offers room for details. It offers room for details. It offers a standard, professional-looking format. It offers a standard, professional-looking format. It can further show your writing/editing/communication skills. It can further show your writing/editing/communication skills. It can indicate your attention to detail and interest in the job. It can indicate your attention to detail and interest in the job. It is often perceived as a more traditional medium. It is often perceived as a more traditional medium.Disadvantages It is not delivered to the recipient immediately through Postal mail. It is not delivered to the recipient immediately through Postal mail. It is not easy for recipient to forward to other decision makers; may get buried on the recipient’s desk. It is not easy for recipient to forward to other decision makers; may get buried on the recipient’s desk.

Choosing a Format II. An Message Advantages It offers room for details. It offers room for details. It offers fast receipt. It offers fast receipt. It is easy for recipient to forward to other decision makers. It is easy for recipient to forward to other decision makers. It can demonstrate your writing/editing/communication skills. It can demonstrate your writing/editing/communication skills. It can indicate your attention to detail and interest in the job It can indicate your attention to detail and interest in the jobDisadvantages It is less formal or professional. It is less formal or professional. It may be perceived as a less-traditional communication medium. It may be perceived as a less-traditional communication medium.

Choosing a Format III. A Hand written Card Advantages It can give a personal touch It can give a personal touch It can be perceived as more traditional. It can be perceived as more traditional.Disadvantages It may be perceived as less professional or polished. It may be perceived as less professional or polished. It may not further showcase your writing/editing/communication skills It may not further showcase your writing/editing/communication skills It is not delivered to the recipient immediately It is not delivered to the recipient immediately It is considered un-techie communication medium. It is considered un-techie communication medium. It is not easy for recipient to forward around; it may get buried on the recipient’s desk. It is not easy for recipient to forward around; it may get buried on the recipient’s desk.

Planning the Letter What skills, experience, or education did the interviewers ask about? What skills, experience, or education did the interviewers ask about? What topics or issues came up more than once? What topics or issues came up more than once? What needs or problems does the position address? What needs or problems does the position address? What information, supporting details or materials did you provide in the interview to address their questions, issues or needs? What information, supporting details or materials did you provide in the interview to address their questions, issues or needs? What other details, examples, or materials can you provide—given their questions, issues, and needs and given the details and materials already provided at the interview? What other details, examples, or materials can you provide—given their questions, issues, and needs and given the details and materials already provided at the interview?

Developing the Letter Introduction You should thank the recipient for spending time with you in introducing you to the company, providing information about the job, and answering your questions. You should thank the recipient for spending time with you in introducing you to the company, providing information about the job, and answering your questions. Remind the recipient of the position you interviewed for. Remind the recipient of the position you interviewed for. Remind them when you interviewed. Remind them when you interviewed. You should express your interest. You should express your interest. Remind the interviewer, briefly, of your qualifications. Remind the interviewer, briefly, of your qualifications.Body It can restate key details that support your qualifications. It can restate key details that support your qualifications. It should mention additional details that you didn’t discuss in the interview. It should mention additional details that you didn’t discuss in the interview. Provide any other details that might separate you from other candidates. Provide any other details that might separate you from other candidates.Conclusion You should Thank them again. You should Thank them again. You should reiterate your interest in the position. You should reiterate your interest in the position. It should invite the recipient to contact you with questions. It should invite the recipient to contact you with questions. It should include contact information. It should include contact information.

Checklist Does the letter have a clear introduction, body, conclusion? Does the letter have a clear introduction, body, conclusion? Does the letter contain information that draws on topics emphasized in the interview? Does the letter contain information that draws on topics emphasized in the interview? Does the letter supplement, not merely repeat, information provided in your resume, letter of application, or interview? Or, does it reiterate information that seemed particularly key to the interviewer? Does the letter supplement, not merely repeat, information provided in your resume, letter of application, or interview? Or, does it reiterate information that seemed particularly key to the interviewer? Does the letter provide specific examples that support your competency or fit for the position? Does the letter provide specific examples that support your competency or fit for the position? Does the letter tie such details to the specific position? Does the letter tie such details to the specific position? Is the tone personable and professional, and nor arrogant or demanding? Is the tone personable and professional, and nor arrogant or demanding? Does the letter invite further communication? Does the letter invite further communication? Does the letter include contact information? Does the letter include contact information? Is the letter signed? Is the letter signed? Does the letter and envelop address a specific person at a specific company? Does the letter and envelop address a specific person at a specific company? Does the letter look clean, and is it free from errors ( no typos, no grammar/punctuation errors, and no formatting errors)? Does the letter look clean, and is it free from errors ( no typos, no grammar/punctuation errors, and no formatting errors)?

Conclusion A business letter and message are likely your best choice. As you can see, the disadvantages of a hand-written outweigh the advantages. Importantly, the business letter or message formats allow you to show your writing, editing, and communication skills. A business letter and message are likely your best choice. As you can see, the disadvantages of a hand-written outweigh the advantages. Importantly, the business letter or message formats allow you to show your writing, editing, and communication skills. Follow up thank you letter doesn’t just say “thank you”. It can be a tool for providing additional information, expressing your interest and having the lines of communication. Follow up thank you letter doesn’t just say “thank you”. It can be a tool for providing additional information, expressing your interest and having the lines of communication.

Questions?