30 in 30: Send Thank Yous

A follow-up thank you letter/e-mail after an interview 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. After that, wait until the time frame that you were given for a response has elapsed before calling or e-mailing again.

Thank yous are also in order for anyone who helps you on the job hunt, so get in the habit of following up with anyone you meet with, ask a question, or get a tip from (don’t worry, you don’t have to send one to us). Because here’s the thing: networking never ends. Even after you’ve gotten the job, you should be sure to not only inform the people who helped you, but also to stay in touch with them (as well as anyone else who you networked with along the way). Who knows when you’ll need your next job? Or better yet, when you can help someone else. Because when it comes down to it, networking is a pay-it-forward game. Sometimes the student doth become the teacher, and someone you help may also be able to reciprocate down the line.

For more tips and a sample letter, check out our survival guide to Sending a Thank You Letter

Looking for a job in the new year? Be sure to stay on top of all the essential job-hunting tips from Gradspot's new series, 30 in 30: The Insider's Guide to Job-Hunting in '09. If you'd like to share your own tips with the Gradspot community, email 30in30 [at] gradspot [dot] com with your tip, your occupation/industry of interest, and your name as you'd like it to appear on the site.