Hire someone who doesn't send thank you?

[Anonymous]

I recently conducted a first round of phone interviews for an open position at my company. If it matters, the position is a fairly senior-level one, with extensive client contact required. All candidates were told that there would be an in-person round to follow and that they'd be contacted if they were selected.

Out of 5 candidates, I received 3 thank you emails. I find it fairly off-putting that the 2 candidates didn't send them. Granted, it was a phone interview and not a final one, but it still bugs me.

Would you be turned off by a lack of thank you? Would you hire someone who didn't send one?

[Anonymous]

Yes, I would be a little turned off, but I might still hire the person, if he/she seems to be the best candidate.

[Anonymous]

That wouldn't be a factor in my decision at this stage. I would go ahead with an in-person interview with the best candidates.

[Anonymous]

I think "thank you" notes/emails after interviews are soooo lame! What is the point?? To try and suck up in a meaningless way? Whenever I receive them after interviews I fell slightly embarrassed on the sender's behalf - because they are such a meaningless gesture. I personally have never sent thank you notes after I have interviewed for jobs and I have gotten most of the jobs I have applied for (and I feel pretty comfortable that a lack of thank you notes was not the reason I did not get the jobs I was not offered).

If someone is the best person for the job/you really liked the person - are you really not going to hire her/him b/c of a lack of a thank you note?!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think "thank you" notes/emails after interviews are soooo lame! What is the point?? To try and suck up in a meaningless way? Whenever I receive them after interviews I fell slightly embarrassed on the sender's behalf - because they are such a meaningless gesture. I personally have never sent thank you notes after I have interviewed for jobs and I have gotten most of the jobs I have applied for (and I feel pretty comfortable that a lack of thank you notes was not the reason I did not get the jobs I was not offered).

If someone is the best person for the job/you really liked the person - are you really not going to hire her/him b/c of a lack of a thank you note?!

Agree with this. I wouldn't base a persons job on a thank you letter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think "thank you" notes/emails after interviews are soooo lame! What is the point??

I agree. Are you a woman, OP? I cannot imagine a male executive being bothered by this.

[Anonymous]

I always send thank you notes after an interview, but hate sending them. I just feel it is expected, and it's the interviewer's job to do it. It's not like they're doing me a favor by taking the time, blah blah blah. I would never send one after a phone interview though--never even occured to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think "thank you" notes/emails after interviews are soooo lame! What is the point??

I agree. Are you a woman, OP? I cannot imagine a male executive being bothered by this.

Ding ding ding - we have a winner!!

[Anonymous]

OP here - I'm surprised more people wouldn't think this was an issue. I'm not talking about a long, drawn-out missive - just a few sentences saying "thanks so much for your time, very excited about the opportunity, hope to hear from you soon." I can't imagine not doing it. Glad to know others think it's not a big deal because those are 2 of the best candidates!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think "thank you" notes/emails after interviews are soooo lame! What is the point??

I agree. Are you a woman, OP? I cannot imagine a male executive being bothered by this.

+1 We hire based on the interview and have our decision made long before thank you notes are received. They immediately go into the trash.

[Anonymous]

I can't imagine rejecting a candidate on this basis. Perhaps it could make the difference between two candidates if everything else -- EVERYTHING else -- was so closely matched that you couldn't otherwise make a decision. But to reject a candidate, supposedly on merit, because of a thank you note? My god. Perhaps you need to be volunteering at the Junior League, not conducting interviews supposedly based on merit and skills.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can't imagine rejecting a candidate on this basis. Perhaps it could make the difference between two candidates if everything else -- EVERYTHING else -- was so closely matched that you couldn't otherwise make a decision. But to reject a candidate, supposedly on merit, because of a thank you note? My god. Perhaps you need to be volunteering at the Junior League, not conducting interviews supposedly based on merit and skills.

Um, I never said I would do that. In fact, I categorically would not. - OP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can't imagine rejecting a candidate on this basis. Perhaps it could make the difference between two candidates if everything else -- EVERYTHING else -- was so closely matched that you couldn't otherwise make a decision. But to reject a candidate, supposedly on merit, because of a thank you note? My god. Perhaps you need to be volunteering at the Junior League, not conducting interviews supposedly based on merit and skills.

Um, I never said I would do that. In fact, I categorically would not. - OP

You questioned it though and that's sad enough. Also, to be highly turned off by them? Really?

[Anonymous]

This is what you said, OP:

That wouldn't be a factor in my decision at this stage. I would go ahead with an in-person interview with the best candidates.

What you said implies (to me) that it WOULD be a factor in your decision at some stage.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can't imagine rejecting a candidate on this basis. Perhaps it could make the difference between two candidates if everything else -- EVERYTHING else -- was so closely matched that you couldn't otherwise make a decision. But to reject a candidate, supposedly on merit, because of a thank you note? My god. Perhaps you need to be volunteering at the Junior League, not conducting interviews supposedly based on merit and skills.

Um, I never said I would do that. In fact, I categorically would not. - OP

You questioned it though and that's sad enough. Also, to be highly turned off by them? Really?

Yes, I'd consider it a negative, all else being equal. I wouldn't reject a great candidate because of it, but I would note it. I really don't think that's that unusual or that big of a deal. Most of them did send one, so it can't be that out of the norm. Surprised at the vitriol.