| A surefire way to separate yourself from a | | | | |
| sea of other qualified candidates is to write | | | | 2) After interviewing at a company, should I |
| a follow-up letter after an interview. Most | | | | send a letter to all interviewers? |
| job seekers neglect to write a letter, | | | | |
| assuming that once they leave the | | | | Yes. You should send a letter to each |
| interviewer's office the interview is over. | | | | interviewer because each one has his/her own |
| Well, it isn't. The interview process extends | | | | concerns and reasons for participating in the |
| beyond the one-on-one meeting and it is up to | | | | selection process. For example, a direct |
| you to keep your candidacy in the forefront | | | | supervisor may be looking for a new hire that |
| of the decision-maker's mind. | | | | will make her look good to the powers that |
| | | | be. On the other hand, a peer will be looking |
| An effective follow-up letter serves two | | | | for a coworker he can get along with when |
| purposes: (1) It reminds the interviewer of | | | | participating in work activities or when |
| your skills, knowledge and abilities; with | | | | grabbing a beer during Friday night happy |
| the number of candidates they are | | | | hour. Having two different audiences means |
| interviewing, it can be easy to get lost in | | | | that you can-and should-create two different |
| the crowd. (2) It demonstrates that you | | | | follow-up letters. |
| remain interested in working for the company | | | | |
| and that you were impressed by the | | | | Sample Follow-Up Letter |
| organizational culture. | | | | |
| | | | Ms. Barbara Cortes |
| There are several slants the follow-up letter | | | | |
| can take, including the following: | | | | ABC Corporation |
| | | | |
| - Thank the interviewer(s) for the time they | | | | 876 Lakeland Street |
| took to meet with you and for giving you the | | | | |
| opportunity to learn more about the | | | | Hauppauge, NY 11787 |
| organization and the open position. | | | | |
| | | | Dear Ms. Cortes: |
| - Reiterate your interest in the position and | | | | |
| draw parallels between what you have to offer | | | | Thank you for taking the time to meet with me |
| and the organization's immediate needs. | | | | regarding the paralegal position at Collado, |
| | | | Collado, & Fiore, LLC. After meeting with you |
| - Address a concern that came up during the | | | | and discussing the set requirements, I noted |
| interview or offer new information to a | | | | several similarities between your |
| question that was asked during the interview. | | | | requirements and my past experience. |
| | | | |
| Most job seekers don't follow up because they | | | | From our discussion, it seems you are seeking |
| don't want to do the wrong thing. So instead | | | | a paralegal that has experience in supporting |
| of risking making a bad impression, they | | | | trial proceedings by organizing evidence for |
| choose not to follow up at all. Common | | | | case review; preparing exhibits; maintaining |
| questions most job seekers have about | | | | relationships with experts; and scheduling |
| following up include: | | | | witnesses and ensuring they are present and |
| | | | ready when needed. In my current position |
| | | | with Allen & Associates, I am required to |
| | | | perform all those responsibilities in |
| 1) Should I e-mail, hand-write, or type, | | | | addition to juggling and managing numerous |
| print, and mail my follow-up letter? | | | | legal tasks. |
| | | | |
| The answer is, it depends. With so many ways | | | | Be assured that I can be counted on to get |
| of sending communications, you may feel | | | | the job done under demanding schedules, and I |
| confused as to how to send a follow-up | | | | would enjoy the opportunity to do the same |
| letter. Send an e-mail when a hiring decision | | | | for your organization. What you will expect |
| is going to be made within the week. This | | | | and get from me as a member of your team is |
| will ensure that your letter gets read before | | | | dedication, enthusiasm, and professionalism. |
| it's too late. A handwritten note works well | | | | |
| if you have nice handwriting and if you're | | | | Again, thank you for taking the time to meet |
| sending a card with a quick note; I wouldn't | | | | with me. I remain interested in participating |
| recommend handwriting a note on loose-leaf | | | | in the next round of interviews. Thank you |
| paper. My favorite, if time allows, is a | | | | for your consideration. |
| typed letter that you send through regular | | | | |
| mail. The reason why I prefer this method is | | | | Sincerely, |
| that it is easy to for a decision-maker to | | | | |
| delete an e-mail but most likely, a | | | | Michele Martinez |
| snail-mailed letter will end up in your file. | | | | |
| Again, a snail-mailed letter is not always | | | | Final thought |
| possible, so do the next best thing and | | | | |
| e-mail the letter instead. | | | | Don't underestimate the power of an effective |
| | | | follow-up letter. They have been known to win |
| | | | job offers. |