Sending out a post-interview thank you letter (or email) may be seem a bit quaint and old-fashioned in this day and age but it can be the last chance you get to present yourself to your potential new employer. Moreover, most HR managers say it’s an important part of the interview process that many neglect much to their own regret. Thus, even if you feel as though you aced the interview, here are 4 reasons why you should incorporate thank-you letters into your search strategy:
- Thank you letters are a way to show respect to your interviewer and are a common courtesy: A thank you note lets hiring managers know that even in this busy and sometimes impolite world, you still value the simple courtesy of expressing appreciation to others. Moreover, a thank you letter lets your interviewer know that you understand and appreciate the fact that they sacrificed their time to speak with you.
- Thank you letters keep your candidacy top of mind: As a job candidate you want to stand out to hiring managers who may – during the course of any given day – interview many, many people depending on the advertised position. Sending a thank you letter helps you to stand out to interviewers especially among applicants who did not bother to thank them. Also, a follow-up letter lets prospective employers know that you are still interested in the position.
- Written correspondence gives you another chance to sell your strengths: Apart from being a common courtesy, thank you notes give you a second chance to sell yourself to your potential employer. Additionally, a thank-you note gives you an opportunity to do some damage control when parts of your interview did not quite land. Thus, thank you letters are a form of self marketing and promotion.
- A thank-you note demonstrates your written communication skills: Thank you letters let employers see how well you express yourself on paper which is vitally important in executive assistant positions. Just be sure to take as much time crafting your letter as you did your resume.
Mistakes to Avoid on a Thank-You Email
Just as a thank you email or letter can be an opportunity to advance your career and establish a rapport with your potential employer, it can also hurt you. Avoid these mistakes when thanking your interviewer this way:
- Don’t use the wrong tone
- Don’t sound desperate.
- Don’t let more than a day pass.
- Don’t use a formulaic template
- Don’t spell names incorrectly
As the top staffing firm in New York for executive assistants, we want to give our applicants every advantage they can in finding their dream job. Staffing agencies in New York like ours have connections with Fortune 500 companies who are very discriminating in their hiring process. Thus, we know how they appreciate candidates who go that extra mile.