Thank you notes after interviews

[Anonymous]

I don't like thank you notes, receiving or sending. It's not like it's a gift to interview! Seriously, an employer should send thank you notes to interviewees if anything!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The only time a thank you note ever made a difference to me was one candidate who we liked but her answer to one question (an important one about delegation which is critical in our field) had me on the fence.

In her thank you email, she very smoothly wrote about how she was excited for the chance to work with a larger group as her current place was very small and everyone kept to their own tasks because of it. Worded better obviously but got the point across that delegation didn't really exist where she was and that's why she answered like she did.

We hired her, she was a fantastic employee.

This is a good example of the value of the thank you note. It's not really about thanking the person, it's about one more opportunity to make the case that you are the right fit for the job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The only time a thank you note ever made a difference to me was one candidate who we liked but her answer to one question (an important one about delegation which is critical in our field) had me on the fence.

In her thank you email, she very smoothly wrote about how she was excited for the chance to work with a larger group as her current place was very small and everyone kept to their own tasks because of it. Worded better obviously but got the point across that delegation didn't really exist where she was and that's why she answered like she did.

We hired her, she was a fantastic employee.

This is a good example of the value of the thank you note. It's not really about thanking the person, it's about one more opportunity to make the case that you are the right fit for the job.

Exactly this. People who are saying they don’t think they should have to bother - that’s fine, but don’t think of it as saying “thank you”, see it as another chance to sell yourself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The only time a thank you note ever made a difference to me was one candidate who we liked but her answer to one question (an important one about delegation which is critical in our field) had me on the fence.

In her thank you email, she very smoothly wrote about how she was excited for the chance to work with a larger group as her current place was very small and everyone kept to their own tasks because of it. Worded better obviously but got the point across that delegation didn't really exist where she was and that's why she answered like she did.

We hired her, she was a fantastic employee.

This is a good example of the value of the thank you note. It's not really about thanking the person, it's about one more opportunity to make the case that you are the right fit for the job.

Exactly this. People who are saying they don’t think they should have to bother - that’s fine, but don’t think of it as saying “thank you”, see it as another chance to sell yourself.

Interviewing is a conversation for them to learn more about you as a candidate and you to learn more about the role and the organization. Come prepared, but you don't need to "sell yourself." If you really think you left something off when you interviewed, by all means rectify that.

[Anonymous]

I have done dozens of interviews this year and gotten no notes. I don’t share my email though. I don’t really want to correspond tbh.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I got one recently old school in the US Mail. That impressed me. Email ones are weak.

I work for big companies and don’t receive mail. We got rid of mailboxes a long time ago.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The only time a thank you note ever made a difference to me was one candidate who we liked but her answer to one question (an important one about delegation which is critical in our field) had me on the fence.

In her thank you email, she very smoothly wrote about how she was excited for the chance to work with a larger group as her current place was very small and everyone kept to their own tasks because of it. Worded better obviously but got the point across that delegation didn't really exist where she was and that's why she answered like she did.

We hired her, she was a fantastic employee.

This is a good example of the value of the thank you note. It's not really about thanking the person, it's about one more opportunity to make the case that you are the right fit for the job.

Exactly this. People who are saying they don’t think they should have to bother - that’s fine, but don’t think of it as saying “thank you”, see it as another chance to sell yourself.

Interviewing is a conversation for them to learn more about you as a candidate and you to learn more about the role and the organization. Come prepared, but you don't need to "sell yourself." If you really think you left something off when you interviewed, by all means rectify that.

Ok.. but I think it’s kind of selling on both sides. And sending a thoughtful thank you is so easy and quick that I don’t understand why anyone wouldn’t. Maybe the company doesn’t care but maybe it will tip the scales a tiny bit in your favor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This week I've been part of a panel interviewing folks for an open position. The first two folks we interviewed sent a thank-you email within 4 hours, the third candidate hasn't sent anything. I wouldn't have cared if no-one sent a note, but because the first two folks did send one, I think less of the third because he didn't.

(One possibility is that the third candidate feels like he bombed the interview, and didn't send a note because he's already given up.)

I've never thought this way when I interview someone. I do not understand it at all. Does your employer know you take this stuff into account? If someone told me they were dinging candidates for this stuff, I would be livid. They're not interviewing to be your friend.

Lol. That's exactly what most of my interviewers in a long career at one F500 company have been looking for.

They totally want people who pass their "have a beer with" / "airport test".

This a great disadvantage being a nerdy female applying for jobs controlled by alpha males.

[Anonymous]

I feel like when someone I wasn’t going to hire sends one it just reminds me that I’m not going to hire them, but I have a twinge of guilt that they don’t know.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The only time a thank you note ever made a difference to me was one candidate who we liked but her answer to one question (an important one about delegation which is critical in our field) had me on the fence.

In her thank you email, she very smoothly wrote about how she was excited for the chance to work with a larger group as her current place was very small and everyone kept to their own tasks because of it. Worded better obviously but got the point across that delegation didn't really exist where she was and that's why she answered like she did.

We hired her, she was a fantastic employee.

This is a good example of the value of the thank you note. It's not really about thanking the person, it's about one more opportunity to make the case that you are the right fit for the job.

Exactly this. People who are saying they don’t think they should have to bother - that’s fine, but don’t think of it as saying “thank you”, see it as another chance to sell yourself.

Interviewing is a conversation for them to learn more about you as a candidate and you to learn more about the role and the organization. Come prepared, but you don't need to "sell yourself." If you really think you left something off when you interviewed, by all means rectify that.

Ok.. but I think it’s kind of selling on both sides. And sending a thoughtful thank you is so easy and quick that I don’t understand why anyone wouldn’t. Maybe the company doesn’t care but maybe it will tip the scales a tiny bit in your favor.

This. It's so easy to clarify or reinforce details from the interview, and demonstrate some social skills.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I got one recently old school in the US Mail. That impressed me. Email ones are weak.

I work for big companies and don’t receive mail. We got rid of mailboxes a long time ago.

yes you do. We get mail from places like courts, tax filings etc. We are required to have a mailing address. So individualy I dont have a mail box you send me mail the mailroom will alrert me. Now mailroom is no longer staff full time like old days. I got mail last week Sometimes they are also customer complaints. Courts sending notice.

even if you work full time from home my company had a mailing address in NYC. the mailbox will get it and they can scan and send or re-mail to me.

Also we have a Lockbox mailing address and our Fax number still active. We actually have some customerss who do not know how to use a computer or email, they will mail us stuff.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The only time a thank you note ever made a difference to me was one candidate who we liked but her answer to one question (an important one about delegation which is critical in our field) had me on the fence.

In her thank you email, she very smoothly wrote about how she was excited for the chance to work with a larger group as her current place was very small and everyone kept to their own tasks because of it. Worded better obviously but got the point across that delegation didn't really exist where she was and that's why she answered like she did.

We hired her, she was a fantastic employee.

This is a good example of the value of the thank you note. It's not really about thanking the person, it's about one more opportunity to make the case that you are the right fit for the job.

Exactly this. People who are saying they don’t think they should have to bother - that’s fine, but don’t think of it as saying “thank you”, see it as another chance to sell yourself.

Everyone knows this and the blatant self promotion is tacky and interviewers see right through it.

Now maybe if you have some amazing conversation and think of something material to share that is of value to them, maybe. Maybe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I got one recently old school in the US Mail. That impressed me. Email ones are weak.

I work for big companies and don’t receive mail. We got rid of mailboxes a long time ago.

You don’t have email??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This week I've been part of a panel interviewing folks for an open position. The first two folks we interviewed sent a thank-you email within 4 hours, the third candidate hasn't sent anything. I wouldn't have cared if no-one sent a note, but because the first two folks did send one, I think less of the third because he didn't.

(One possibility is that the third candidate feels like he bombed the interview, and didn't send a note because he's already given up.)

I've never thought this way when I interview someone. I do not understand it at all. Does your employer know you take this stuff into account? If someone told me they were dinging candidates for this stuff, I would be livid. They're not interviewing to be your friend.

Lol. That's exactly what most of my interviewers in a long career at one F500 company have been looking for.

They totally want people who pass their "have a beer with" / "airport test".

This a great disadvantage being a nerdy female applying for jobs controlled by alpha males.

Actually, I disagree. By the final interviews, you know the candidates are qualified. At this point, I am looking at how this person will fit in with the organization. I know they can do the job, but I want to make sure they will be a good fit with our organization. Now, being a nerdy female would be a positive for me, but I understand what the PP is getting at.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't write one unless I have something specific to say to each interviewer. And as an interviewer, I don't care at all.

As an interviewer, I don't care. But several of my colleagues care about this a lot. So I encourage people to write them and would do so myself. (Thought it's been a long time since I interviewed for a job.)