Thank You Letter

1. Thank You Letter • Following an interview, promptly (within 2 business days) write the interviewer a letter expressing appreciation and thanks for the interview. • The purpose of this letter is to: • Show appreciation for the employer's interest in you. • Reiterate your interest in the position and in the organization. • Review or remind the employer about your qualifications for the position. If you thought of something you forgot to mention in the interview, mention it in your follow-up / thank-you letter. • Demonstrate that you have good manners and know to write a thank-you letter. • Follow up with any information the employer may have asked you to provide after the interview.

2. Email, Copy Typed, or Handwritten? • Thank-you letters can be hard copy typed, handwritten or e-mailed. • Hard copy not-handwritten are most formal and are appropriate after an interview. • Handwritten are more personal, and can be appropriate for brief notes to a variety of individuals you may have met during an on-site interview. • E-mail is appropriate, particularly as a supplement (i.e. do both e-mail and hard copy) when that has been your means of contact with the person you want to thank, or if your contact has expressed a preference for e-mail, or you know your contact is travelling and will not have access to hard copy mail in a timely fashion.

3. Components of the Letter • Type the letter in a business letter format. • Address it to the person with whom you interviewed. • Express appreciation for the opportunities to interview, tour the facilities, meet other employees, etc. • Mention the day of your interview and the position for which you interviewed. • Express continued interest in the position and the company. • Re-emphasize your most important skills and qualifications and how you expect to contribute to the organization. • Include any information you forgot to mention in the interview, if necessary (be brief though). • Close your letter with a comment about future contact with the employer.

4. Sample Letter Ms. Mary Jones Personnel Coordinator Booth Memorial Hospital 1234 South 14th Avenue Rocky Point, NY 11778 Dear Ms. Jones: I appreciated the opportunity to interview at your hospital on Monday. The tour of the medical facilities and conversations with Booth's laboratory staff gave me a clear overview of the role of technologists at your facility. In particular, I was impressed with the state-of-the-art equipment in Booth's laboratories and the exciting medical research that is being conducted there. The entire experience has confirmed my desire for employment as a medical technologist with Booth Memorial Hospital. My internship as a lab assistant, along with my microbiology and chemistry course work, have prepared me well for this position. Based on my interview, I think I would fit in well with the Booth laboratory staff. Thank you again for the experience of getting to know your organization better. I would welcome the opportunity to work for Booth Memorial Hospital, and I look forward to hearing from you in the next two weeks.

5. Sample Letter Ms. Glenna Wright Human Resources Manager Fashion Department Store 2000 Line Drive Fairfax, VA 22030 Dear Ms. Wright: Thank you so much for your time and the privilege of having an interview with you yesterday, October 25, during your recruiting visit to Virginia Tech. The management trainee program you outlined sounds both challenging and rewarding and I look forward to your decision concerning an on-site visit. As mentioned during the interview, I will be graduating in December with a B.S. in Fashion Merchandising. Through my education and experience I’ve gained many skills, as well as an understanding of retailing concepts and dealing with the general public. I have worked seven years in the retail industry in various positions from sales associate to assistant department manager. I think my education and work experience would complement Fashion’s management trainee program. I have enclosed a copy of my college transcript and a list of references that you requested. Thank you again for the opportunity to be considered by Fashion Department Store. The interview served to reinforce my strong interest in becoming a part of your management team. I can be reached at (540) 555-1111 or by e-mail at boles@vt.edu should you need additional information. Sincerely, Marianne Boles Enclosures

6. Assignment: • Create a ‘Thank-You’ Letter for a fake interview, using the following criteria: • Addressed to the person with whom you interviewed. (use the same person as your cover letter) • Expressed appreciation for the opportunities to interview, tour the facilities, meet other employees, etc. • Mentioned the day of your interview and the position for which you interviewed. (make-up the day, use the position on your cover letter) • Expressed continued interest in the position and the company. • Re-emphasized your most important skills and qualifications and how you expect to contribute to the organization. • Included any information you forgot to mention in the interview, if necessary (be brief though). • Close your letter with a comment about future contact with the employer.