[Cool Story Bro] Chronicles of Unemployed Clutchfans

NSFW : Language

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Oh yessss, that was epic.

Misrepresentation

 

Sending a thank you note immediately after the interview definitely helped me get my last job.

 

This is often suggested by many. It's not just a way of saying "thank you", it's a way of separating you from the rest of those being interviewed when there may not be much separating you in the decision. It keeps your name fresh on their mind, it shows you may give a damn about the job (because in the thank you email you'll also include why you really want the job and that you're eager to start, etc. in order to reinforce what you said during the interview). I think it's a good idea as long as you're not annoying the hell out of them repeatedly with emails.

 

You wouldn't send one to an employer after they took the time and expense to call you in for an interview? Are YOU serious????

Wait, I think you misunderstood. It is the responsibility of the job seeker to send a thank you letter, not the interviewer. For the latter, of course not- anyone that waits for an employer to send one will be waiting a LONG time. But for job seekers, absolutely- send one out every single time.

In 2000, I helped out a client prepare his career documents for a position as Director of the Executive Roundtable at Texas Tech University (it was a program TTU instituted in which they would invite executives from various corporations to speak to student groups). The Director position paid $60,000-$70,000 annually- at the time, that was pretty good for that position. My client's only management experience was at the Olive Garden. He was competing against 2 other candidates- supposedly, one of them had a position like this at another university. After he went on the interview, Joe asked me if he should send a thank you letter. At the time, I just started my business, and I didn't offer assistance with this type of document as a service, but I told him, why not? Can't hurt.

So, we wrote a thank you letter, very brief, in which we included a 2nd paragraph mentioning the main point the interviewer emphasized and what Joe had in his background relevant to that (something like, "in our interview, you emphasized the importance of arranging schedules and managing tasks meticulously, as these executives are on very busy schedules. As a Manager at the Olive Garden, I ....").

Anyway, Joe sent the letter, was called in 3 days later, and this is what the interviewer told him, not exactly, but very similar, "I am offering you the position. I wanted to let you know that one of the primary reasons I'm hiring you is that you were the only candidate to send a thank-you letter. That attention to detail and your courteousness convinced me that you would be a perfect fit, along with your qualifications."

Joe said she mentioned twice that she was very impressed not only that he thanked her, but that he also reiterated a key qualifications in the letter. Ever since then, I absolutely recommend a thank you letter.


My own personal story regarding this: I was asked to interview for a position with Worley-Parsons engineering firm- they're located in the Greenway Plaza off 59. Even though I own my own business, they wanted to hire me as part of their Bidding department- basically, help prepare the resumes for all employees that would be involved in a specific project that they would then submit as part of the bid. Anway, long story short- I got the job offer- didn't take it because they changed the salary 1/2 way through the process and it wouldn't have been worth it for me- but I did follow up and asked them why they decided to hire me, etc. In addition to the normal "you met our criteria, etc.", they said that they were impressed that I sent a brief thank-you note to both managers who interviewed me as well as the HR person who set everything up. They said it was rare for them to receive TY letters.

So, yes, I'm a huge advocate of TY letters.

 

Dandorotik, thank you for your advice on Thank you letters. It's funny but I seriously had no clue that something this small could make the difference in myself getting hired. I'm close to graduating from college (Dec 2010) as a Civil Engineering major and this advice is valuable to me since I have never sent a thank you note out. I've had two internships already, but I'm having a hard time finding one for this summer, especially for what I want to do which is either Structural design or Construction. I'll try to send out some thank you letters next time I interview (if I'm able to get one).

Thanks once again.

 

What do you know about Walter P. Moore & Associates?

 

This is one from one of my clients that played a key role in his getting the job (he's a friend and gave full permission to use his example, plus everything is confidential):



Dear (Mr. or Ms.)(Last Name):

It was a pleasure to speak with you earlier this week regarding your current opening. I appreciate the time and information you shared about your company’s current needs and goals.

After reviewing our conversation, it is evident that a key aspect of this position is recommending and implementing solutions for NAME OF ORGANIZATION's telecommunications system, including VoIP transition. To reiterate, in my current position with NAME OF COMPANY, I developed a solution for our nursing staff to access our Avaya PBX system through IP Agent software on the VPN, improving communications significantly as a result. Additionally, I worked directly with our Vice President of Telecommunications on several initiatives, including a disaster recovery solution for our communications systems to protect against impending events.

I look forward to hearing from you again so that we may continue our discussions regarding your organization’s needs. Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,



YOUR NAME

 

I wonder if it'll be as effective if it becomes standard practice.

 

Trust me, based on human nature, it won't be.

Besides, it's easy to send a 2-sentence- "thank you for the interview" email or card- it's another thing to send a very brief TY letter in which you mention 1 thing specific from the interview and tie this in with your background. It shows (1) your connection to the position; and (2) that you remembered the interview.

 

WTF 80k is not mad dough? I'd be happier than a clam with 40k. I don't need big fancy cars, homes, or luxurious vacations.

 

For real. I had no idea this was common practice.

 

Graduated last summer, been working at Target for minimum wage. However, I will begin an internship (3 months) this summer, starting in June I will be packing my bags to hopefully begin what is the start of a great career. I plan on enrolling in grad school next year. I have 2 professors who I believe will vouch for me and send a letter of recommendation. However, I am hoping that one of the PhD's at my internship will do likewise after seeing how great I am.

Yes, I am still recieving rejection letters for jobs I applied for 6-8 months ago. I even got a call back from a few companies, and one of which said they couldn't hire me because I lived too far away? I said, "That don't make no difference, wtf?"

But this is what happends when you do not take full advantage of your schooling.

 

Just remember to mention 1 thing in the TY letter, not several. I've seen some that are like:

Please allow me to list several key qualifications:


The last thing they want to do is read a long thank-you letter. Trust me, you send a thank you letter or even a note, you're in the 6% that do so. If you send a letter that mentions the interview and a strength of yours, you're probably in the 1-2% who bother to do that.

 

If they bothered to take the time to call you back, I would send them a quick thank you note for their courtesy in doing so. Only takes you a few minutes and a few stamps, and what some companies do is they'll keep your information on file- you never know, maybe a few months or years down the road, something might pop up at those companies that fits with your background, and they will most likely remember you as a future "top" candidate. You'd be amazed at how far doing little courteous things like that can help you in the long run. Now, if you're talking about 15-20 companies, obviously you may not have time to send all a thank you note. But if it's just several, and if you think you'd might like to work for them in the future, why not thank them? Most companies don't even bother to send "rejection" notifications, and they certainly wouldn't expect someone to thank them for the contact, so you'd put yourself in very high regard.

 

You know, BTW, that is a very good point. But think of this: Leonardo DaVinci wrote one of the best resumes I've read (it's more in the form of a letter, but functioned as a resume) back in 1482 when he was trying to get a job with the Duke of Milan- he wound up getting the job- yet, 528 years later, a lot of people still develop very mediocre resumes that do not highlight their specific skills, achievements, etc. This was Leo's:



Most illustrious Lord, having now sufficiently seen and considered the proofs of all those who count themselves master and inventors of instruments of war, and finding that their invention and use of the said instruments does not differ in any respect from those in common practice, I am emboldened without prejudice to anyone else to put myself in communication with your Excellency, in order to acquaint you with my secrets, thereafter offering myself at your pleasure effectually to demonstrate at any convenient time all those matters which are in part briefly recorded below,

1. I have plans for bridges, very light and strong and suitable for carrying very easily...

2. When a place is besieged I know how to cut off water from the trenches, and how to construct an infinite number of...scaling ladders and other instruments...

3. If because of the height of the embankment, and the strength of the place of its site, it should be impossible to reduce it by bombardment, I know methods of destroying any citadel or fortress, even if it is built on rock.

4. I have plans for making cannon, very convenient and easy of transport, with which to hurl small stones in the manner almost of hail...

5. And it is should happen that the engagement is at sea, I have plans for construction many engines most suitable for attack or defense, and ships which can resist the fire of all the heaviest cannon, and powder and smoke.

6. Also I have ways of arriving at a certain fixed spot by caverns and secret winding passages made without any noise even though it may be necessary to pass underneath...a river.

7. Also I can make covered cards, safe and unassailable, which will enter the serried ranks of the enemy with artillery, and there is no company of men at arms so great as not to be broken by it. And behind these the infantry will be able to follow quite unharmed and without any opposition.

8. Also, if need shall arise, I can make cannon, mortars and light ordnance, of very beautiful and useful shapes, quite different from those in common use.

9. Where it is not possible to employ cannon, I can supply catapults, mangonels, traps and other engines of wonderful efficacy not in general issue. In short, as the variety of circumstances shall necessitate, I can supply an infinite number of different engines of attack and defense.

10. In time of peace I believe that I can give you as complete satisfaction as anyone else in architecture, in the construction of buildings both public and private, and in conducting water from one place to another.

11. Also I can execute sculpture in marble, bronze, or clay and also painting, in which my work will stand comparison with that of anyone else whoever he may be.

12. Moreover, I would undertake the work of the bronze horse, which shall endure with immortal glory and eternal honor the auspicious memory of the Prince of your father and of the illustrious house of Sforza.

And if any of the aforesaid things should seem impossible or impracticable to anyone, I offer myself as ready to make trail of them in your park or in whatever place shall please your Excellency, to whom I commend myself with all possible humility.

 

Agree with this.. the letter should be brief and to the point.

Also want to add that the wording in the letter should state your positives and should never come off as desperate.

A few months ago, I read a super long thank you card after the interview that basically said "I know I don't have the experience you are looking for, but I do this this and that and would work really hard for you. Please please please give me chance."

The guy was the #1 choice and pretty much had it wrapped up in the interview until he sent this letter.

 

Just curious... why would you automatically reject someone upon finding out that he is extremely interested in the job? Would you rather hire someone who is ambivalent? Is this similar to the female mindset where they are more attracted to the guys that pay no attention to them?

 

I think the main thing is that the letter came off as desperate and not confident. In the interview, he came off as confident and knowledgeable about the job. The letter he sent just made us question everything.

I also maybe should have included more details about this persons particular letter...

It was a handwritten card... he had poor handwriting. He emphasized several times how he didn't have experience, but that he would learn. He also wrote a lot about irrelevant work experience he had and how he learned from it.

Basically, it was too much info.. and he emphasized all of his negatives... so not all thank-you letters are good ideas.