Feb 13 2009
Writing Great Letters
Most interviewees are aware that one way to get a second interview for a job that you really want is to write a good, powerful thank you letter to the hiring manager after he meets you for a first interview.
The nice thing about this letter is that you can use your spell check and take your time with the preparation to ensure grammatical perfection. Also, you can focus on those ‘trigger’ points that you know are of concern to him.
Point out how you will contribute to his division or department and what specific things you will do to increase the bottom line, eliminate safety incidents, improve customer service response time or whatever hot buttons he revealed to you during your first meeting.
Do not send a handwritten note. Make it a business letter and sign it with best regards or sincerely. Use whatever address he requested during the interview. So if he asked you to call him “Bob”, that is fine to use in the letter as well.
Get the letter out in the mail the very next day, to ensure he gets it before he is apt to make final decisions on second interviews. Good luck in your search.
Really? I had always heard a handwritten note was more personal and more effective. You don’t reco because it’s hard to read? I’m curious.
Good advice. That thank you letter is like closing the sale on you the commodity. It’s the final pitch opportunity to present your strong points. Very interesting.