Page 68 - Carlson School GBCC Career Guide

The thank you letter is a very important tool in a job search. It helps establish goodwill and appreciation, and/or strengthen your candidacy. Thank you letters may be typed or handwritten. A handwritten note adds a more personal touch. Sending a thank you via email is acceptable because: 1) emailing is the primary method of communication in most organizations; 2) it will reach the recipient quickly (important if they are making quick decisions); and 3) for recruiters who travel often, email will reach them sooner.
Who should I send thank you letters to?
• People who granted you informational interviews
• People who agreed to serve as your references
• Every person that interviewed you (send individually to
each person)
• People who helped you in any other way during your process
• When in doubt, send a thank you letter to anyone who helps
you throughout your process
Additional thank you letter tips
• Send the thank you within 24 hours of the interview
• Make sure your letters are personal
• Reemphasize your strongest or most unique qualifications
as they relate to the position
• Reiterate your interest in the position
• Provide supplemental information not previously given
• Draw attention to the good match between you, the job,
and the organization
• Express your sincere appreciation for their time
Important: Don’t underestimate the importance of the thank you note. Recruiters have been known to deny an otherwise strong candidate who did not send a thank you note. Don’t skip this critical step!
PROFESSIONAL CORRESPONDENCE
Thank You Letters
“ [Thank you letters are] common practice, so if you are the only one that doesn’t send a thank you letter to those you interviewed with, they will notice.”
– Kerri Rutter, Regional HR Manager, Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP
Sample thank you letter after an interview
Dear Ms. Davidson:
I wanted to let you know how much I appreciated the chance to interview with Rasmussen Company for the Marketing Associate for paper products. This is an exciting and challenging opportunity and I wanted to reaffirm my strong interest in
this position.
In particular I enjoyed meeting with Tim Kahuna and Brad Johnson, and appreciated their time in explaining the Marketing Associate position and the philosophy of your firm to me. This was most enlightening and served to pique my interest in working as part of this group.
My summer internship with Local Paper Products, Inc. is a nice fit for the requirements of your position. In addition, my strong background in client relationship management will enable me to be a successful addition to your company.
Again, thank you for the opportunity to meet
with you and the members of your department. I appreciate your time, and I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely, Jane Rogers
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Carlson School of Management