30 in 30: Send a Follow-Up

After an interview, a follow-up thank you letter is not simply polite; it is also a chance to reiterate qualifications, reemphasize a desire for the position, or bring something up that didn’t get mentioned in person. Write a brief note to each individual who took part in the interview within 24-48 hours. If there is any doubt over correct names, spelling, or titles, call the office to double-check. (When you go in for an interview, asking for the business card of everyone you meet should make this part a lot easier.)

There is a debate about whether hand-written notes still hold a special cache. On the one hand they stand out and may sit on the person's desk for a while as a reminder of your application. But they may also never reach their recipient, and by most accounts an email will suffice. Here's a sample follow-up to use as a reference.

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Dear Mr. Alexander,

Thank you for taking the time interview me and share your experiences at Smithfields. It was exciting to hear you discuss how the meritocratic culture truly pervades every facet of the firm. I also enjoyed learning about the lean project teams that enable new hires to assume lots of responsibility very quickly. These factors, along with the continued growth of the firm and things I heard from other employees I met with today, have further motivated me to want to become part of the Smithfields community more than any other. Thank you again for your time and I hope to be hearing from Smithfields soon.

Sincerely,
Blair Stevenson

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