HOW TO WRITE A THANK YOU LETTER

Sending a thank you letter is as important as interview
preparation. But they're tough to write, so people either tell
themselves that not sending one doesn't matter, or they
procrastinate until it's too late and almost pointless anyway.
But anyone who tells themselves that foregoing a fundamental
rule of etiquette doesn't matter, not only taints themselves in
the mind of the interviewer, but misses two additional
opportunities to sell.

A thank you letter is an additional sales piece. As I've said
before, you're selling a product and the product is you. So
beyond the reason of etiquette, the letter sells you as a polite
person who recognizes that the interviewer gave them something
valuable: time and consideration.

A fundamental rule of sales is to keep the product in front of
the buyer and reinforce its benefits. So beyond the etiquette,
the letter gives you ample space to comment on what you liked
about the company, why your skills are of benefit to them, and
how much you re interested. If something wasn't tied up, or was
left unsatisfactorily, you should use the space to further
address the issue.

When you miss the opportunity to reinforce your skills and tie
them to the job requirements, you miss a chance to sell. When
you fail to address a concern or answer a question and leave it
to fester in the mind of the interviewer, you've failed to
overcome an objection. And if a buyer has an objection to the
product, if it isn't addressed, the likelihood of the sale is
slim.

The third opportunity missed by skipping the thank you letter is
the chance to keep your name in front of the buyer. Read
newspapers? Watch TV? See the same ads over and over and over
again? It's somewhat the same principle - if you keep your name
in front of the hiring authority, they're more likely to
remember you.

Thank you letters are one of the reasons it's important to take
notes during an interview. Not only does it show good attention
to detail, it saves you from having to scrunch your face up
trying to remember some of the information you learned about the
company and position during the interview.

Because if you met with three separate people during one visit
to the company, that's three thank you letters...three different
thank you letters. Somewhere in each letter needs to be some
piece of personalization that reflects back to your interview
with that person. In other words, don't write the letter, change
the names, print it out and mail off the exact same letter to
three people! That's lame and lazy!

So let's look at how to create one of these so that it becomes a
less odious task.


* First paragraph
Open with the obligatory thank you and include how you
enjoyed the meeting. Say why. Maybe the people you met were
exceptional. Perhaps their company philosophy was exactly
what you had hoped for. Or they need to overhaul a
department and you can't wait to sink your teeth into it
because that's what you've got a stellar track record of
doing. It doesn't matter. Pick something out, and put it
down. But make it real.

* Second paragraph
What took place during your interview? Pull out a piece of
information that pleased you, say what it was, and tell them
why. For instance: I was particularly pleased to find that X
company/the opportunity/ your management style has/was/is/
does whatever. This is exciting because... You can expand on
whatever it is for a few sentences by elaborating: how it
relates to something you've experienced and liked - or did't
like. Discuss a particular aspect of the job you find
appealing and reiterate why you'd be successful at it or how
long you've been performing it or how similar it is to
something you've done in the past.

* Third paragraph
You can add a similar paragraph if the second was fairly
short. Or you can skip this paragraph if you've said what
needs to be said. If there was something that came up that
needed clarification or about which they were dubious,
address it and clear it up here.

* Fourth paragraph
Wind it up. Re-iterate your interest. Be enthusiastic! Leave
the job speak behind. If you really want to be hired, let
your interest shine through. There's nothing wrong with
coming right out and saying, "I'd love to work with X
company!"

Caution: Don't start every sentence with "I". It may be the
easiest way to write the letter but it's not only
repetitive, it's a turn off and egotistical. This process is
about you getting a job, but it's about what they get out of
it if they hire you, so make sure you directly connect your
skills to what they said they wanted. No magic formula -
just come out with it.

One more thing. People always ask how it should be sent. The
answer is by snail mail. Business format. If time is of the
essence, then mention in the email that you're emailing them
because you wanted them to receive the letter immediately.
But it does not go handwritten on stationary. That's for
bridal showers, weddings, funerals, birthday parties, and
other personal affairs.

If you really want the job, the letter will be easy to write
because it will contain genuine impressions and sentiments.
If you choose to skip the letter, perhaps you don't care if
you're hired or not. But make that decision yours and
withdraw from the process instead of letting the decision be
made for you.