I’ve been in the search business for what often seems like 100 years.
In the good old days, people would mail resumes to companies on great looking parchment paper with a watermark visible to the reader because that meant class!
After an interview, they would send a thank you note (by mail) on either personal letterhead or a card to express their interest in the job.
Now in this mile a second world, thank you notes have disappeared from proper interview behavior and tat is a tactical mistake.
Sending a thank you email after an interview accomplishes several things. First and foremost, it leaves little doubt about your interest in the opportunity being discussed . . . and, in a lot of situations, breaking the logjam by expressing interest can be enough to separate you from the pack.
But probably more important is that it gives you an opportunity to (a) address any concerns the interviewer might have about your experience, (b) correct an answer you missed on and (c) give you another opportunity to sell yourself to the interviewer.
So, to be clear, I’m not suggesting that you mail a thank you note; I’m suggesting that you email one within 12 hours of your interview.
Jeff Altman
The Big Game Hunter
Concepts in Staffing
jeffaltman@cisny.com
© 2006 all rights reserved.
Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter, is Managing Director with Concepts in Staffing, a New York search firm, He has successfully assisted many corporations identify management leaders and staff in technology, accounting, finance, sales, marketing and other disciplines since 1971. He is a certified leader of the ManKind Project, a not for profit organization that assists men with life issues, and a practicing psychotherapist.
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If you would like Jeff and his firm to assist you with hiring staff, or if you would like help with a strategic job change, send an email to him at jeffaltman@cisny.com (If you’re looking for a new position, include your resume).
