WRITE THANK YOU NOTES ON THE INTERVIEW DAY (or not at all)
Why write and mail your thank you notes for in-office or call-back interviews on the interview day? In a busy, well-run interview program with multiple candidates meeting a number of attorneys each day over several weeks, attorneys are often required to turn in their evaluations within 24 hours. Some firms use on-line evaluations, so that the attorneys can complete their reviews right away. Hiring Committee meetings in peak season are usually on a regular schedule, and your candidacy may be discussed at any time. Late-arriving thank you notes lose whatever persuasive power they may have to make a difference during prime decisionmaking time. The pitfalls of late notes are simple: having lost the business cards you collected or the piece of paper from the Recruiter with all of the attorney’s names, you will invariably misspell someone’s name; you will have forgotten whatever interesting bits of information you might have wanted to comment on or reiterate; and the decision about your candidacy will have been made. What do I write? Your basic instinct, which is to scream “PICK ME!!!!!” gets you quite close to the mark. Give the interviewer a reason to remember you and a reason to go to bat for you.
Dear Mr. Smith: Thank you for taking the time to meet with me today1. Your discussion/explanation of [something interesting and substantive2] has confirmed my interest in [your firm/agency]. I hope to continue in the interview process3. Sincerely, Alice Jones
What do I write on? Write or print on good quality plain note cards with matching envelopes that are available in card shops. Because this card is about 4"x6", you can’t write too much. Treat this thank you note is like a post card from a great vacation spot – write just enough to make the connection with the intended recipient. Do I have to write thank you notes? No notes are needed for screening interviews where decisions are usually made before the interviewer goes back to her office. When you are in a call-back or other in-office interview, you may ask the Recruiting Professional whether thank you notes are expected or appreciated. Follow the instruction you receive. What about e-mail? Again, ask the Recruiting Professional.
1
You will get points for writing your no te on the sam e da y of your interview . It show s that you we re bo th well prepared and sufficiently organized to gather up a pen, paper and a stamp. 2 Make sure that you address something that the person to whom you are writing actually discussed. 3 This is an important point to mak e, because you let your interviewer know that you are really interested in the job. Se ven out of 10 c and idates leave an interview withou t m aking clear tha t they wa nt the job.