How to Create an Effective Follow-Up Interview Letter
Very few job candidates follow up after the interview. Distinguish yourself among the other applicants by sending a thank-you letter that shows appreciation for the interview and reiterates your interest in the position. Use this opportunity to restate a few of your key qualifications and include anything you forgot to mention in the interview. To be most effective, send the thank you letter within 24 hours of the job interview.
Instructions
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Obtain the correct names, titles and contact details of all the interviewers. Before leaving the interview room, ask for business cards. Alternatively, you can contact the receptionist or human resources department for this information.
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Determine the best presentation and delivery method. Hand-write the letter if you have legible handwriting. Use good quality paper -- preferably letterhead stationery -- and a fine-tipped pen. A computer-generated letter is more formal and appropriate after most interviews. Use hand delivery or an express postal service. Email is also appropriate, though not as effective as a formal, posted letter.
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Use a formal salutation with the appropriate title: Mr/Ms/Mrs/Dr. If the interview was conducted on a first-name basis, you can use a more informal salutation. Close the letter with any one of the following expressions: "Yours truly," "Sincerely," "Kind regard" or "Respectfully yours."
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Thank the interviewer for his time and interest in the first paragraph. To avoid any confusion, mention the date of the interview and the position. Hopefully, he will receive and look at your letter within a day or two. If more time has lapsed and/or he has interviewed a number of applicants for different positions, he will appreciate the extra details in your letter.
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Restate one or two key qualifications in the second paragraph. Show the interviewer that you are well-suited for the position and can easily fit into the culture of the organization. Include any additional information that could give you an edge in the hiring process. In her book "Resume Magic," Susan Britton Whitcomb provides the following example: "What I failed to mention is that I also worked with system engineers to design an open-architecture system."
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Avoid using canned expressions in the closing paragraph. For example, "If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me." Instead, thank the interviewer again and restate your interest in the organization.
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Proofread your memo very carefully. Use a dictionary and a writing style book to check all spelling, grammar and punctuation. Check the tone of the letter. Ask a friend or relative to read the letter aloud. Remove any stilted or awkward expressions before sending the letter.
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References
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