Job interview and thank you note

[client32]

Just curious how many people here send a thank you note after an interview.  Reading on the internet makes it sound as though that is often a decision maker for hiring manager.  Therefore, I sent one for an interview I had earlier this week.

So ....

Who all has sent a thank you note and how did work?

Who all has recieved thank you notes and did/would it effect your decision?

[HankB]

A well-done (short, neat, correct, and to the point) thank-you note is one of those things that can't hurt, and MAY help, you land that job.

If nothing else, it reminds the interviewer that they met with you, and it may provide a little favorable name recognition.

[charby]

If I want to work there, I'll send a thank you note.

I can't count the number of job interviews I have been to where I knew that I didn't want this job because of the attitude of the interviewers or how the people interacted with each other at the company while I was waiting for the interview in the office.

-C

[280plus]

A thank you note, sounds like a darn good idea. I gotta laugh at charby's comment. I once interviewed at a place where sister and brother got into a screaming match right in front of me, first time I met them. Nope, didn't work there.

[charby]

A thank you note, sounds like a darn good idea. I gotta laugh at charby's comment. I once interviewed at a place where sister and brother got into a screaming match right in front of me, first time I met them. Nope, didn't work there.

Mine is too many bitchy queen bee type head secretaries/admin assistants. If that is what I first encounter then I will not work there. I have learned from the past if you aren't on their team then your time as an employee there will suck.

-C

[Chris]

Twelve years ago, when I interviewed at teh prosecutor's office, i did not send a tank you note, but we scheduled a second interview that day.  And I was offered the job at the second interview.  The new job (magistrate), i was offered the position at the interview.

The whole idea of the thank you note is to favorably remind the interviewer of who you were, and try to bump yourself up on the list through a kind act.  I would advise doing so these days, especially as Charby said, if you want the job.  Couldn't hurt.

[client32]

More tales from places you don't want to work.

Once had an interview with a small IT shop, knew my salary requirements and was going to pay no where near them.  Got to the interview, lady told me about half way through the interview that she couldn't pay what I was asking.  Then started to talk about a program (script) that a former employee had written for them that was acting up.  She thought she could get me to do it for free in the interview.  Hindsight, should have either walked out of the office, or offered to fix problem for a sum where I felt I wasn't wasting my time.

[Perd Hapley]

tails?

[Car Knocker]

When I interviewed people, the decision to hire, or not, was based on information gleaned from the application and the interview.  A thank-you note would have no influence on me.

[client32]

tails?

Thanks again.


note to self:  start proof reading posts before fistful gets a chance to look at them

[Standing Wolf]

I always have. Curiously, when I was on the other side of the desk, virtually no one ever did.

[garrettwc]

If it's a place I want to work at, I definitely send a hand written note ASAP. It's reminds the interviewer of me, and it let's them know I condsidered their time valuable. I have even had employers tell me that when it got down to the final two candidates, I got the job because of my note.

If I am the interviewer I consider the qualifications first. Then after I cull out the ones that don't fit, I start trying to narrow down the second interview group. A note will help you get on that list.

Why?

See El T's thread: http://www.armedpolitesociety.com/viewtopic.php?id=4684

[pbhome71]

I got my first job because of my thank you note.

-Pat

[Sawdust]

Then started to talk about a program (script) that a former employee had written for them that was acting up.  She thought she could get me to do it for free in the interview.

LOL; that kind of thing has happened to me many times.

I'm a biomedical engineer and have been the chief engineer at quite a few start-ups. Seems like every time I would interview at a start-up, the founder would try to get me to give free design advice.

I would just respond with something like: "There are a few ways to solve that problem, and I would be happy to review those solutions with you on my first day of employment - if we can come to terms, of course."

Sawdust