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Just a quick question -- and a fine point to be sure, but I was just wondering.....
....when do you personally try to send off a "thank you" note after an interview -- or meeting -- or networking event?
-- same day, ASAP (within the hour or as. soon. as. you leave)
-- same day within hours
-- same calendar day even if it's after hours or late at night, overnight
-- next day?
-- next two days (or three)?
-- same week?
-- whenever you get to it?
Personally, I try to do it same day or next day.
(Heck, when I remember......I even have a template all set, and just fill in the blank or change a line -- to drop in the obligatory "something we talked about at the meeting"...referring to something the interviewer said or referred to.)
I'm just wondering if people are AY-nal about getting the note out ASAP.....or as long as too much time hasn't passed, it's all good. Of course, what one considers 'too much time' is subjective.
I sent an email thank you the next morning....sent to the 3 people who conducted the interview. I personalized the verbiage to each person..relating to a specific question or comment they made. Short and sweet.
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I have made about a dozen hires in the last 7-8 years, and of those, there was only case when I hadn't made my decision within an hour of the last interview ending. While the thank-yous are appreciated, they make no difference to the decision, so whether the same day or next doesn't matter.
Whenever you feel like -- they go in the trash. Sorry, letters don't have any impact on our hiring process.
Very true and same with ours. However, keep in mind that every hiring manager is different. One may feel they are unnecessary and redundant, while another believes its unprofessional not to send one and lowers a candidate's ranking. I'd just send one to be on the safe side because you never know who you're dealing with.
I think it is a good idea to send a thank you email if you want to let them know that you are genuinely interested in the position after the interview.
For that reason I would advise sending it on the same day, within a few hours of the interview. They are more likely to remember who you are. The more time that passes, the less likely they will remember much about you. That is why a letter seems like a less desirable option, as it will take days to be received.
Whether it makes a difference the interviewer shouldn't be the only objective. What it shows is respect and gratitude for their time, as well as enthusiasm for the job, which is a good thing.
Depends on the speed of the search. If they've indicated they'll be interviewing for weeks longer, take your time. If they're wrapping the search up in a day or two, I'd research the email addresses beforehand and send the email of thanks from the parking lot.
I think you should wait at least a few hours before sending the note so that it looks like you took the time to think over what was discussed at the interview (an immediate note would make you seem desperate instead of thoughtful), but that you should do it within a day because if you wait too long they may have already made a hiring decision and it won't matter.
Quote:
Originally Posted by sandsthetime
Very true and same with ours. However, keep in mind that every hiring manager is different. One may feel they are unnecessary and redundant, while another believes its unprofessional not to send one and lowers a candidate's ranking. I'd just send one to be on the safe side because you never know who you're dealing with.
I think the only cases where it might make a difference are: 1) If you felt like you weren't enthusiastic enough in the interview, then a quick note might help confirm/emphasize that you are definitely interested. Or 2) If there were two or more equal candidates and one wrote a compelling note, then they might lean more toward extending an offer to the note writer.
I've written a few post-interview notes, but never got an offer for those jobs so I just stopped doing it. Seems like too much trouble when I don't know that it's going to make a difference. If someone thinks it's not professional to send one then I'd consider it a bullet dodged situation. (If you've gotten to the interview stage, then you've already invested a fair amount of time in trying to get the job. If an employer expects a lot of "extras" while you're going through the hiring process, then they'll probably have unrealistic expectations when you're actually working for them.)
I think they can only do harm so I never send them. What if you say something they don't like or have poor grammar/spelling? It could change their opinion of you after a good interview. Not saying this is likely, but possible.
I always send one within 24 hours, but not immediately. if its a morning interview I'll send it in the afternoon. If its a 4 PM interview, I wait till morning. I try to reiterate one thing I really want them to know or clarify one thing I wish I'd said better, but very very briefly. One thing only.
Of course if I hated them or they smell bad I dont bother.
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Of course, what one considers 'too much time' is subjective.
