You may even worry that sending a thank you letter after a job interview could be seen as overkill and a bid for special consideration. Perhaps you're afraid it might actually ruin your chances.
Yet, the post-interview thank you letter is one of the most important pieces of a complete application and it very often cinches the job for the applicant. That's partly because most people don't write them. But there are other reasons as well, described below.
The job interview thank you letter is your opportunity to demonstrate your interest and enthusiasm for the position and the company. It also illustrates your ability and desire to contribute to the company's growth and success.
Here's what that a well-crafted job interview thank you note can signal to your employer-to-be about you:
" Excellent listening skills " Clear grasp of the nature of the position " Thorough understanding of the challenges of the job and/or company " Readiness to tackle these challenges.
If you are one of the top contenders, a job interview thank you letter is your golden opportunity to make the employer's choice dead easy: you. Period.
But how do you write that all-important thank you letter?
Open your letter by thanking the interviewers for taking the time to explain and describe their company, their department, their growth plans and especially their present needs.
Follow with a very brief paragraph - just 2 or 3 sentences - where you highlight the key points of the interview. Pick 1 or 2 of the most important or challenging aspects of the position and re-state in your own words what you understand these challenges to be. You'll know what they are by recalling which of the job functions came up most often during the job interview.
If there is an urgent challenge or problem that the job is designed to help solve, make it clear to the employer that you understand the exact nature of this problem. It could be something along the lines of higher revenue, cutting costs, maximizing human resources or making better use of technology. Find the one thing that is most important to the employer and do the following:
Connect your understanding of their greatest needs with your desire to embrace this challenge.
The employer, and specifically, your interviewers, may believe you can do the job. This is your chance to convince them. By expressing your enthusiasm for the challenges you face, you'll seal the deal.
Author: Pam Jonsson
About the author:
President of Job Satisfaction Career Pro, Pam Jonsson has helped hundreds of clients find jobs they love. She has written several career-related courses, manuals and programs, including a unique job search manual titled Great Job! The Secret to Finding a Job You Love. Pam holds 3 degrees in education, including a recent graduate degree in adult learning.
Article source: Free Ethics Articles.
