Question - with POLL

Sending a Thank You Note after an interview....i did not know this was something REQUIRED...

looking back, i should have sent one, but i have been so busy living out of a suitcase for the past two months, looking for a house, visiting DH upstate, interviewing, working, etc.., it slipped my mind - i got a call from my prospective employer questioning me why i didnt send one when ALL OF THE OTHER candidates did... What the Heck?!

i am so annoyed, and i question whether or not i would want to work for a person that puts me on the spot about something that is optional.

everyone i talk to is 50/50 on it, either agreeing saying i should have sent one, or saying that they have never heard of such a thing and thought it would be more of a kiss a$$ thing than anything!..

Grrrrrrrr!

but, she said i am still "in the running" and that i will get a call within a few days..

Message edited 3/22/2006 12:30:27 PM.

Re: Question - with POLL

Re: Question - with POLL

Re: Question - with POLL

I've always sent a thank you. Honestly, it shows your level of seriousness and interest in the position and it keeps your name in front of the perspective employer. As a manager I've never thought that receiving a thank you was kissing a$$.

Hope this helps!

Re: Question - with POLL

Well, after college I always did. Now the decisions for the interviews I go on are made more quickly. Mail takes a few days...And I prefer handwritten to emailed notes. So I don't always do them now.

Re: Question - with POLL

Re: Question - with POLL

I always send thank you notes after interviews- but I would be SHOCKED if someone called to ask me why I hadn't sent one! I have never heard of that.

Re: Question - with POLL

I am in HR and I always appreciate it when someone sends a thank you, also, it shows that you are interested. However, I wouldn't say it is required...and I prefer handwritten notes as well, it's more personalized.

Re: Question - with POLL

This is not a new thing, and if you look at interviewing/resume type reference books, they will tell you that it is recommended that you send a follow up note if you are really interested in the position. I have done it when I really wanted the job, but if I was indifferent or not interested, I didn't bother.

I think the new debate is whether it's acceptable to email those notes or not. I do think it is a little odd to ask why you didn't send it. If I were interviewing, I would think of it as you didn't send one, the others did and perhaps I would consider that when making my decision. I doubt I would mention it, but maybe they are trying to gauge how interested you really are.

Re: Question - with POLL

I always have, but I know of plenty of people who go on interviews and don't send thank you notes afterwards. That's horrible that the guy said that to you!

Re: Question - with POLL

I always send one, however I do think its a little ridiculous that they questioned you for not sending one....a little a nal IMO!

Re: Question - with POLL

Re: Question - with POLL

Message edited 3/22/2006 2:40:31 PM.

Re: Question - with POLL

It's actually a thank you letter, not note. A note is a lot more personal. A letter is professional and is expected; I don't think it's a new thing at all. I have been doing it since HS. You could find templates online if you can't think of what to write. I hope you get the job!

This link has lots of helpful info!

Message edited 3/22/2006 2:46:30 PM.

Re: Question - with POLL

Re: Question - with POLL

i have always sent in a thank you letter or note -we're talking 15 years - it definately isnt a new thing - a follow up letter has always been something i did - we were told to do it in high school when taking interviewing workshops.

i have never heard of a place calling to ask about it though - that is news to me

Message edited 3/23/2006 12:26:55 AM.

Re: Question - with POLL

Yikes. I guess I'm the only person who has never heard of doing this. At least I know for future reference!

Re: Question - with POLL

I do think it is required and is proper etiquette to send a thank you after an interview. However, I don't think this is "new" at all.

Re: Question - with POLL

Sending a thank you note is part of the interview process. It's something you should do the day or the day after the interview to let the hiring manager know that you are interested in the job, highlight why you would be a perfect fit for the position AND thank them for their time. It's right up there with bringing extra, clean copies of your resume to the interview itself.

I agree with another poster that if I did not get one from a candidate- I would take them out of the running if I was the hiring manager-- IMO it's a simple and easy thing to do, and if you cannot take the time, then how can I expect you to work hard for me.

Lastly, I have been sending my TY notes via email for years... it's totally accepted and I think that something that goes snail mail will get lost in the shuffle. I know that the person I interviewed with will definitely see my note since they are checking their email throughout the day.

Oh- and why the hiring manager asked you why you didn't send one-- I mean, it;s slightly weird, but IMO it does send a message-- it really depends on how she asked you about it-- perhaps she was just curious and wanted to know why you didn't send one since it's such common practice.