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I have never turned in a thank you letter, I have thanked the people I have interviewed with in the flesh. Why thank them and shake their hands after the interview to sit there and email them a phony thank you letter?
Thank you letters are often just glanced at and then the interview with you may be remembered. IF there is a huge candidate pool then yes it would be wise to email one following the interview, probably the day after. IF the candidate pool is small, then I doubt it would make a difference.
In STEM positions, they really want experience and education, personality is a key player as well, not who is more polite.
I met with a career counselor today. She was really pushing the thank-you letter thing. In fact, she said I could email one or send it in the mail. Not sure which century she's from. I'm trying not to be obstinate, but I just don't see how a thank-you letter helps. Do you think a business that interviews you is going to think, "We really liked that guy. He seems smart, reliable, and has the experience we're looking for. But since he didn't send us a thank-you note for interviewing him, I think we'll go with someone else." ??? I'm guessing that most hiring managers just roll their eyes at thank-you emails and in fact the candidate looks worse because now he/she looks to be trying to courier favor or play on emotions. Maybe it helps in some sectors, like maybe Sales, but I doubt it does for technical roles, where skills are all that matter.
Good manners are always appropriate. It wont hurt you and you never know when it might help you.
It is weird that this is a question. I can only help, it cannot hurt. End of story.
I disagree, if you type a thank you letter and have typos or use poor grammar it will hurt you. It's the same reason some people do not do Cover Letters. The thinking here is, the more you put down in writing on paper the more chances you have at making errors and thus people just skip it. Obviously it should not be hard to write a few paragraphs without errors, but you'd be surprised. The smallest simplest letter could destroy your chances.
I think it is absurd not to hire someone because they didn't send a thank you note...
When a great candidate comes in, do you send them a thank you note for taking time off of work just so that they can explore possibly working for your company?
Why would I think they were interested in the job if they showed no interest after the interview?
We'd get hundreds of applications for each job posted. When we'd bring in the top 5 or so for interviews, most were stellar. All it takes is one mistep to be cut from the pack. Why give yourself that black mark? Writing a thank you note won't hurt but not writing them shows lack of follow through.
In the two cases I remember most clearly, the people interviewing who did not write thank you notes and were eliminated from the running were trying to get high level fundraising or volunteer management jobs. Sorry, there's no excuse! If it's not a priority to follow up with your potential employer, why would you be trusted to follow through with the volunteers and/or prospective donors that you're working with?
I think it is absurd not to hire someone because they didn't send a thank you note...
When a great candidate comes in, do you send them a thank you note for taking time off of work just so that they can explore possibly working for your company?
Your pride is showing.
I mean, for your and the OP, it apparently really REALLY galls you to think you might humble yourself for a moment and let someone else know they did you a favor and you appreciate it.
So lets say you interview, and they email you afterwards saying you did not get the position.
Send a thank you note for their time and consideration, reiterate that if another position comes open to please consider you.
We went to hire someone a one place I work, told everyone else they werent hired....a week later...the guy we hired backed out. We remembered a nice thank you email, and looked at that guy again rather then start the process over.
Thank-you notes are basic etiquette in the job-interview scene. With two equally qualified candidates, that thank-you note could be the tipping point. For a manager who is concerned with putting together a cohesive team and maintaining a pleasant workplace, the thank-you note could be very important. And it is a chance to show that you understand the job and the culture of that particular workplace.
"Skills" are rarely all that is considered when a person is hired. One toxic personality can up-end an entire office.
Excellent response, JrzDefector (from someone who just sent a thank-you email last week).
Excellent response, JrzDefector (from someone who just sent a thank-you email last week).
Well, thank YOU LOL
I worked for a woman who had elevated teambuilding to an art form. She wanted a harmonious workplace above all things. Thank-you notes were important to her because they showed thoughtfulness and consideration. Our group dealt with some very impolite people in other parts of the company and she was like a sensei teaching us how to wield politeness like it was a martial art.
In my current company, details are important. And thank-you notes show attention to detail.
Now my ex who worked in factories, mechanic shops and welding shops? Thank yous weren't really necessary as everything was terribly informal. And they weren't even too concerned if you could read or not. For any office job or white-collar job, though, I would say it is never wrong to send one. So why take the chance of the negative consequences of NOT sending one?
I think absolutely. I do know hiring managers that will not hire you if you don't send one.
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