After The Interview

Hiring experts recommend job seekers send a hand-written thank you the same day that they interview.

By Matt Krumrie, Star Tribune Sales and Marketing

Last update: February 27, 2006 - 7:41 AM

When Marni Hockenberg gets a hand-written thank you note from a job candidate, she attaches the note to that person's résumé. Does it help that person stand out from other candidates? Absolutely, says Hockenberg, principal of The Hiring Experts (www.thehiringexperts.com), a Twin Cities-based job search firm.

"It sets them apart from their competitors, and I am more likely to contact them regarding a future job opportunity," says Hockenberg. "It says to me this is a professional person that sets high standards for themselves, and my clients need to hire this type of a candidate."

As vice president of human resources and client services for Minneapolis-based EMPO Corporation, a human resource outsourcing company, Carol Gilson says she values receiving a letter from a candidate following a job interview.

"In some instances, it can be a deciding factor in making a hiring decision," says Gilson.

Those who really want to be proactive should send a hand-written thank you the same day that they interview, says Hockenberg.

"The note should thank the interviewer for their time, and should also include a few sentences that reference the key points of their discussion as they relate to the candidate's fit for the job," says Hockenberg.

Gilson also believes thank you notes are important, for these reasons:

 It's a courtesy. It shows the employer that you understand business etiquette.

 If you're excited about the opportunity, then it's a way to extend the interview with:

 Recapping your enthusiasm for the position.

 Reiterating some of the employer's challenges and how you believe you could provide a solution.

 Reassuring the employer that you desire continued consideration for the position.

 Revealing your ability to communicate in writing.

By sending a thank you note immediately following an interview, candidates have one more opportunity to show they are go-getters, which could set them apart from their competitors.

This is a weekly column devoted to career betterment. Matt Krumrie is a freelance writer from Inver Grove Heights, and has eight years of experience reporting on the employment industry. The first Sunday of each month this column will answer readers' questions. E-mail questions or subject ideas to askmatt@startribune.com.

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