Do you send a thank-you note after an interview? (Insp. by Interview Help thread)

[Pin Wizard]

Just curious how many people send a thank-you note to anyone and everyone you interview with. This was a standard when I was in business school and advised to always do it. I do send them even if I'm not really interested in the job itself. You never know if the company may have an opening in the future that you are interested in.

Do you send thank-you notes after an interview?

 

[Miss Jasmine]

Yes I do. The only time I didn't is when I was told at the time I was hired and started the very next day.

 

[DisneyAddict_M]

I only did once and that's because I really, really wanted the position.

 

[caitycaity]

yep, i always do.

awhile back i was doing a lot of interviewing for my company and i was really surprised at how few people sent thank yous. i mentioned it to a coworker my age and he was shocked to find out that you were "supposed to". he had never heard of it. then he asked his dad and his dad was like yeah of course!

 

[Kermit]

Yes. Always. Even if I interviewed for a job and realized at the interview that I didn't want it, I think that I would send a note thanking the interviewer for his/her time and tell them that I was no longer interested. It's always a good idea to stay on people's good sides. You never know when you'll see them again.

 

[cats7494]

Yes, I always do...and as soon as possible.
I have sent them to places in which I had no interest after the interview as well - you never know what may happen in the future. It is the correct thing to do and it helps you stand out..,

 

[Sandy V.]

Yes, I always did send a thank you note. If I really wanted the job, I would drop it off the very same day I interviewed so I would demonstrate to the interviewer just how interested I was in the position. I wanted the impression to be immediate and not wait for the post office to deliver it 2 days later. They might make a decision before then!

Like Caitycaity, so many people I talk to are unaware that this is considered proper business etiquette. It was a college and law school "standard" back in the olden days when I went to school!

 

[gina2000]

Always. It's proper business etiquette and leaves a good impression.

 

[missypie]

I interview a lot of law students and pitch the thank you notes, thinking they're just kissing up. We send in our hire or don't hire recommendations the day of the interview, so the note doesn't help the candidates.

 

[lulu71]

I interview a lot of law students and pitch the thank you notes, thinking they're just kissing up. We send in our hire or don't hire recommendations the day of the interview, so the note doesn't help the candidates.

It's not the issue of whether it helps a person get the job or not, it's just common courtesy and good manners.

 

[danacara]

Always.

 

[Cyndiu]

In reality very few people actually do anymore. I have been in Human Resources for 15 years and I can tell you less than 25% of the time do I get a note. Further, I've spoken to many colleagues over the years and my experience is not the exception. That's why thank you notes really stand out when I get them and I am more inclined to look favorably on that candidate.

 

[gina2000]

Quick question, Cyndiu.....what's up with HR departments that don't acknowledge resumes and interviews anymore? My DH saw alot of that this spring while applying for professional jobs. It's truly disheartening not to be acknowledged after having an interview and sending a thank you note. A simple....."The position has been filled at this time" type note doesn't seem to be too much to ask. Yet....alot of places didn't bother....

 

[Joanne M]

At my last interview, I was told that mine was one of the few resumes they received that had a cover letter! We all discussed how a lot of people are just not aware of protocol or common courtesy anymore.

I got the job, BTW, and was recently promoted here as well!

 

[dzneelvr]

You are welcome to send one but it doesn't make any difference in the selection process. I've been in HR 25 years and it's just another thing to file away. We do destroy them prior to building a real file for the person actually hired--they are not included in the official file.

A dilemna with thank you notes is where to stop if you have an interview process that takes you through multiple people, multiple sites, etc. Another option may be to call direct using a short scripted message thanking the interviewer for the opportunity.

 

[caitycaity]

It's truly disheartening not to be acknowledged after having an interview and sending a thank you note.

ugh! i hate that. that also happened to me when i was job hunting. one was especially agrravating since i had literally a 2 hour interview that i thought went very well. then....nothing.

You are welcome to send one but it doesn't make any difference in the selection process.

it does at my company.

 

[Pin Wizard]

A lot of the companies I've sent resumes to don't acknowledge a thing. Recently I e-mailed one for a city job. This particular one acknowledged receipt of it and said they'll only be contacting those candidates they're interested in. At least it was something! But most of them, I've never heard a peep from. Right now I have two sitting as good possibilities. One I interviewed for last week, and the guy told me they're interviewing through today. The other I went in for testing and my app is being forwarded to where it needs to go.

A note is just a common courtesy. I know of at least one person that hired me because I was the only one to send her one. Also, it can show whether or not you have decent writing skills.

 

[Buttercup26]

I did the hiring for my department at my last job and a thank you note, especially a well written one, always helped the candidate.

 

[lulu71]

A dilemna with thank you notes is where to stop if you have an interview process that takes you through multiple people, multiple sites, etc. Another option may be to call direct using a short scripted message thanking the interviewer for the opportunity.

Most job interviews that I've been on have been with multiple people and at different times - I send one to everyone. If the person took the time to sit with me for an interview, the least I can do is send a short thank you note.

 

[Pin Wizard]

I'm with you, lulu. I do the same exact thing.