Thank You Letters

Chapter 12

THANK YOU LETTERS

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Thank You Letters
Chapter Objectives The purpose of this chapter is to help you: Understand the importance of a thank you letter Know when to send a thank you letter Know the type of responses to use when sending a thank you letter

Why Send a Thank You Letter? A thank you letter is an essential component of the interview process, whether for thejob search, graduate school, and/or an informational interview. This simple gesture can speak volumes about your interest and true appreciation for the opportunity to interview. Although nearly all job seekers may see value in sending a personalized thank you note, the majority never send one. The thank you letter is another opportunity to show an interviewer what a great fit you would be with theirorganization or program. General Tips Be sure to write and send the letter within two days of the meeting. Remember to be genuine when writing a thank you note. If multiple people interviewed you, send a thank you letter to each and personalize each one by talking about something specific you discussed with them. You can mention some key points that you think the employer should remember aboutyou. Ask for your interviewers' business cards, or write down the interviewers' titles and the proper spelling of their names before leaving the interview site. Conclude the thank you letter by mentioning again how interested you are in the position/program and why. Carefully proofread each letter, and have one other person to review it. Remember to keep your thank you letter to ONE page. Formats toUse Many wonder what type of thank you letter should be sent: typed, handwritten, or emailed. The following descriptions will help you decide: Should it be…Typed or Handwritten? Traditionally, the thank you note has been handwritten. If your handwriting is legible, then consider personalizing your correspondence. However, if your handwriting is poor, typing the correspondence is perfectlyacceptable. In addition, if the impression from the individual is strictly formal, then typed would be more appropriate. If there is a more informal atmosphere, you may want to hand-write the letter.

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What about…Paper and Envelopes? Thank you note cards with matching envelopes are appropriate for use, as long as you stick to a simple card without cutegraphics and sayings. High-quality stationery paper with a matching envelope is suitable as well. Both can be found at stationery stores and greeting-card shops. It’s best when sending a thank you note to use neutral paper, such as white or cream, and to stay way from colored paper. Should it be…Email? For most situations, e-mailing your thank you note may be seen as too impersonal. However, exceptionsdo exist. If you are interviewing with a high-tech company, the interviewer may expect your response electronically. Also, if you get the sense the individual prefers electronic correspondence over paper when interviewing, e-mailing would be appropriate. If all previous correspondence was via e-mail, then emailing the thank you letter is fine. For students participating in on-campus recruitingthrough the Career Center, it is important to email an immediate thank you note to the interviewer. Many applicant decisions or secondround interviews will be made quickly; emailing a thank you note will reaffirm your interest in the position. Sample Thank You Letters There are many samples presented on the following pages. These include: • Sample Thank You Letter Layout – explains the generallayout for thank you letters and specific points for each type of letter • Specific Samples o Informational Interview o Reference o Career Fairs o On-Campus Interview o On-Site Visit and Interview o Networking

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THANK YOU LETTERS

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Sample Thank You Letter Layout
Your Address City, State Zip Date

Contact’s Name Title Organization Address City, State Zip

Dear (Contact...