The Difference Between a Follow-up & a Thank You Letter
Searching for a job requires persistence and good manners. Writing follow-up letters and sending thank you notes after each job interview reminds recruiters of your interviews and leaves a positive impression after your interview. Followup letters and thank you letters have specific and separate purposes.
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Writing a Followup Letter
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Make notes of your qualifications before writing a follow-up letter. A follow-up letter reminds the interviewer or hiring committee chair of your meeting and of your qualifications for the job. Use business formatting and language for follow up letters. Direct your letter to your interviewer using his or her formal name. ("Dear Mr. Gonzales" rather than "Dear Pablo.") Limit a follow-up letter to no more than one page.
Reminding Interviewers Why You're Right for the Job
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Write a follow-up letter within a week of interviewing and before the date indicated for a hiring decision has passed. Open your follow-up letter with a reminder of the position you're applying for and the date of your interview. Mention two or three topics discussed during your interview, and match your qualifications to each topic. Write a closing sentence or two expressing your interest in the job.
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Thanking Interviewers for their Consideration
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Send a thank you letter or note within two days after each job interview. Use business stationery or conservative note cards for thank you letters. Use a formal salutation unless you are personally acquainted with the interviewer or hiring committee chair. Provide enough details of the interview so that the interviewer will remember you. Briefly express your interest in the job. Enclose any requested documentation such as college transcripts or reference letters with your thank you letter.
Final Touches for Followup and Thank You Letters
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Take note of dates and deadlines during an interview for when the employer plans to make its hiring decision. Get the name of your interviewer or names of hiring committee members. Address your follow-up and thank you letters to your interviewer or hiring committee chair. Acknowledge other committee members in the body of each letter. Make each follow-up letter or thank you letter individual; using "canned" correspondence won't draw favorable attention. Send thank you letters for every interview regardless of whether or not you want the job.
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