<< Back to Previous Page

The first thing you do on leaving the interview is breathe a sigh of relief.

The second is to make sure that "out of sight, out of mind" will not apply to you. You do this by starting a follow-up procedure immediately after the interview.

Sitting in your car, on the bus, train, or plane, do a written recap of the interview while it's still fresh in your mind.

Answer these questions:

• Whom did you meet? Names and titles.
• What does the job entail?
• Why can you do the job?
• What aspects of the interview went poorly? Why?
• What is the agreed-upon next step?
• What was said during the last few minutes of the interview?

Probably the most difficult--and most important--thing to do is to analyze what aspects of the interview went poorly.

A person does not get offered a job based solely on strength. On the contrary, many people get new jobs based on their relative lack of negatives as compared to the other applicants. So, it is mandatory that you look for and recognize any negatives from your performance.

This is the only way you will have an opportunity to package and overcome those negatives in your follow-up procedure and during subsequent interviews.

The next step is to write the follow-up letter to the interviewer to acknowledge the meeting, and keep you fresh in his or her mind.

Here are some guidelines:

1. Use Business Letter Format

• The letter should have a crisp, professional appearance. Laser-printed, not copied. Handwritten is acceptable on a business type stationary note.
• The thank-you should be as brief as possible. In most cases one-half to three- quarters of a page is sufficient.
• The paper should be standard 8 1/2-by-11 inch letter white. A heavy bond is most suitable for any business letter.
• Be professional in format. This is a formal letter, and should not be informal in structure or content.
• Use titles such as Ms. or Dr. unless you have been specifically told to be less formal.
• Spell out all words; do not abbreviate.
• Have someone proofread your letter being sure that the names of those who interviewed you are spelled correctly and that it contains no typos.

2. Make four points clear

• You paid attention to what was being said.
• You understood the importance of the interviewer's comments.
• You are excited about the job, can do it, and want it.
• Correct any negative impressions or clear up confusing issues that surfaced during the interview.

3. Use the right words and phrases in your letter. Here are some you might want to use:

• Reflect - "Upon reflection, and, having thought about our meeting...."
• Recognize - "I recognize the importance of...."
• Listen - "Listening to the points you made...."
• Enthusiasm, enthusiasm -- Let the interviewer catch your enthusiasm. It is very effective, especially as your letter will arrive while other applicants are nervously sweating their way through the interview.
• Impressed -- Let the interviewer know you were impressed with the people/ product/ service/ facility/ market/ position, but do not overkill.
• Challenge -- You feel you will be challenged to do your best work in this environment.
• Confidence -- There is a job to be done and a challenge to be met. Let the interviewer know your are confident of doing both well.
• Interest -- If you want the job/next interview, say so. At this stage, the company is buying and you are selling. Ask for the job in a positive and enthusiastic manner.
• Appreciation -- As a courtesy and mark of professional manners, you must express appreciation for the time the interviewer took out of his or her busy schedule.

4. Your follow-up letter will be addressed to the main interviewer.

• Whenever possible and appropriate, mention the names of the people you met at the interview.
• Draw attention to one of the topics that was of general interest to the interviewer(s).

5. Mail the letter within 24 hours of the interview.

• If the decision is going to be made in the next couple of days, hand-deliver the letter or make a strong point by sending it through overnight mail.
• The follow-up letter will refresh your image in the mind of the interviewer.

6. If you do not hear anything after five days, which is quite normal, put in a telephone call to the company representative.

• Reiterate the points made in the letter, saying that you want the job/next interview, and finish your statements with a question. For example,
• "Ms. Cook, I feel confident about my ability to contribute to your department's efforts and I really want the job. Could you tell me what I have to do to get it?" Then be quiet and wait for an answer.

Interview Thank You Letter Sample

Ms. Romelle Aluce
Director, Western Region
Feed the Homeless, Inc.
3211 Sepulveda
Los Angeles, CA 90324


August 6, 2002



Dear Ms. Aluce,

I enjoyed meeting you and your committee last Friday. Please extend my appreciation for the interview to Sue, Dolly, Bobbie, and Chris. I was impressed with all of you as a staff, your obvious interest in providing quality programs, and your beautiful new facility. Feed the Homeless is really going somewhere! I would like to be a part of your team.

Having thought about our meeting, I agree with your assessment of the political environment, which does not adequately address the needs of the city's hungry. Both my involvement with the mayor's task force on the homeless and my fund-raising expertise give me the confidence to meet the challenges of your organization.

I recognize the importance of your finding the right candidate to "fit" the job. I am convinced that I have the skills, energy, temperament, and most of all the desire to perform the development officer position with enthusiasm. You offer an environment that would challenge me to do my best work.

Thank you for the opportunity to meet with you. I hope to hear from you soon.



Sincerely,



Ann Example

<< Back to Previous Page