Is it a good idea to send a thank you email after a job interview? What should one include apart from thanking

Question

I would like to make another pitch for the job but do not want to seem pushy...

Answer 1

Maybe its been a while since I've had an interview, but isn't it a better idea to thank them at the end of the interview over a handshake? If you haven't impressed at the interview then I doubt an email is going to change their minds. I'm sure you've made a perfectly good impression at the interview already. Good luck anyway!

Answer 2

I've been thinking about this.

I believe that there may be a difference in etiquette between US and UK companies.

In the UK it's relatively unheard of to send job interview thank you letters, it comes across as too pushy, maybe too desperate. I am a contractor who has job interviews about once every six months, I've never failed to get a job once through to interview stage, and I've never sent a thank you note.

In the US, it seems to be considered best practise to send a thank you note within 1 or 2 days of the interview. Basically you should thank the interviewer(s) for meeting you, and if possible provide some additional information about yourself, or mention something that was bought up in the interview, but keep it brief and polite.

Answer 3

As a former employer, I assure you that a brief 'thank you for your time' letter, hand-written or typed is worthwhile.
It is often difficult for an employer to decide which of two or three short-listed candidates should be chosen. If you are the only one to write and say thank you then this can be just the point to weight the scales in your favour.

I once had an interview at 4pm on a Friday! It was to pitch for an advertising account. I was successful. A few weeks later I asked the client why he had chosen me. His reply was that he was impressed by the fact that even at that time on a Friday (after 5 pm) I went back to my office and wrote a 'thank you for your time' letter.

What he never knew was that I had written and signed the letter before leaving the office for my meeting and then phoned my office and told them to post it.
Yes, it's definitely worth the trouble.

Answer 4

Definitely always send a thank you, depending on the type of position you have interviewed for should determine what type of communication you use to send the thank you. For example, if I am recruiting for a position in Accounting an emailed thank you is fine. However if I am recruiting for a position in Development and writing thank yous are part of the position one should be mailed. Your thank you should be without mistakes, a thank you that contains any errors is not a candidate I would hire.

Answer 5

You always send a follow-up letter after a job interview. It is considered polite and shows that you are able to follow up on tasks, which is an important aspect in a job. You never do a one last pitch for the job. You simply thank them for taking the time to meet with you, that it was a pleasure meeting with them, that you found the atmosphere of the work environment a positive place at which you would enjoy working and provide contact information stating that they are welcome to contact you if they have any further questions.

Answer 6

Don't be tempted to email or write to them, it would almost certainly spoil any chances that you may have of getting the job. You sound well educated and polite, this I'm sure that they noticed at the interview. If however they write to inform you that you were unsuccessful, you might answer politely saying thank you for the interview and that you'd like to be kept on their records, as you were interested in working for them.

Answer 7

No, bad move. Much better to ask the direct question at the interview as to what their initial thoughts are regarding your appropriateness for the vacancy. Good employers will always give you a genuine handle on your chances and a time scale for making a final decision.

Answer 8

The people who are advising against following up an interview with an e-mail probably don't have very good jobs.

Yes, you should absolutely follow up your interview with an e-mail. You should thank the person for the opportunity to interview with you, let them know you are very interested in the position, and give them an opportunity to contact you if they have anything further they would like to discuss. Some hiring managers actually wait to see who does follow up on an interview, it shows they really are interested in the position.

Good Luck!

Answer 9

It is very important to contact people straight after an interview either email or letter but you must. normally just say how pleasant it was and that you are still very interested in the job. on the internet seeing as you can access it, there hundreds of sites that give good ideas on this

Answer 10

I would definitely send one. The only things that absolutely should be included are "Thank you for your time" and use this one exactly: "I look forward to meeting you again." It is both formal and implies interest without seeming too desperate.