| Your letter could be the tiebreaker between you and | | | | That afternoon, Catherine closed her door. She was |
| two, or even three, candidates so put some thought | | | | going to catch up and then work on her decision |
| and effort behind what you say. Even if it doesn't get | | | | regarding the business analyst position. The first thing |
| you the job, what do you have to lose - the cost of a | | | | she did was open her mail. Among the mail was a |
| postage stamp? Hedge your bet it could land you a | | | | letter from Steven. It caught her attention because of |
| job. | | | | the depth she could see he had gone to. She stopped |
| To send or not to send - will it really make a | | | | and read the letter. |
| difference? | | | | Dear Catherine: |
| Catherine was looking for a business analyst for a | | | | Choosing the right candidate is not an easy task and I |
| position that had been vacant for four weeks. She | | | | want you to know I have been in your shoes before. |
| was eager to hire, but wanted the right person in the | | | | Based on our interview, I have done some thinking |
| job. She had narrowed the field to three candidates, | | | | about the position and how I could bring added value to |
| Jim, Kelly, and Steven. | | | | your organization and support some of the problems |
| She had promised to call them by Friday, and on | | | | you discussed in during the interview... |
| Wednesday afternoon she was still vacillating. Each | | | | What followed was a spreadsheet with the issues |
| had a strength she was looking for, but each also had | | | | Steven had picked up during the interview. He not only |
| some issues that had made her stand back and be | | | | identified some of the problems, but also showed how |
| objective. Jim had held several jobs in the last few | | | | he could be the solution based on past experience. As |
| years. Would he stick around for the tough times | | | | Catherine read the letter she became intrigued, and |
| ahead? Kelly was ambitious, but didn't have the depth | | | | liked what she read. This guy not only heard the issues, |
| of experience interacting with difficult people. And, | | | | but he had given them some thought and did some |
| Steven was the quiet type who didn't reveal himself | | | | analysis - looked beyond what was said. This was a |
| enough for her to get to know what he could offer, | | | | trait she was seeking. She wanted to talk to him again. |
| particularly interfacing with other departments and | | | | The follow-up, thank you, letter is more than a nice |
| working under pressure. | | | | "thank you for the interview." It is one more chance for |
| When Catherine opened her email that morning she | | | | you to sell yourself, and to tell them what you can do |
| had 42 emails. She had glanced over them and | | | | for them. Don't assume the interviewer remembers |
| thought she had seen Jim's name among the many, | | | | everything you said. When three candidates are |
| but hadn't taken the time to read it. She had 17 voice | | | | interviewed and compared, some of the highlights you |
| mails and there was a one from Kelly, but she only | | | | hoped would be considered, got lost or forgotten. |
| listened long enough to hear that she was thanking her | | | | Remind them of what you can do for them - not what |
| for the interview. She hadn't heard from Jim. | | | | they can do for you. |