Resumes and Interview Skills

The interview follow-up is a courteous letter of acknowledgment.  It is a good idea to write a follow-up thank you letter anytime a company has invested time with you. The letter should show the reader that you are thorough, courteous, efficient, and sincerely interested in the job. On the personal level, writing this letter allows you to wrap up your application for the job; it is your last chance to tie up all the loose ends neatly.

• Convey your gratitude at being selected for an interview.
• The tone of the letter is courteous and thankful.
• Consider including an analysis of your visit to the company or your interview.
• This may include impressions of the company itself, analysis of the interview proceedings or new facts you learned about the company.
• Include any new information about your qualifications or education since your interview.
• This letter will show the interviewer that you are thorough and sincerely interested in the job.

The follow-up letter required when you receive no response to an interview is the subtlest of the follow-up letters. It is normally used on two occasions reasons: either the company is painfully slow in making decisions, or you have other offers pending and you want to hurry the decision along.

If you have other offers, you must in all fairness contact the firms who have spent money and time on your interviews and visits to the firm before accepting another position. The main purpose of the letter is to request that a decision about your application be made.

• Restate the position you interviewed for.
• Make specific reference to your visit to the company or your interview.
• If given a deadline by your interviewer as to when you should expect to hear from the company, state it. Also include any deadlines you have received from other companies.
• Request that action be taken to either inform you of the status of your application or make an employment decision.