Thank You Letters
Sample 1
Sample 2
Among one of the most important letters you will write is the thank you letter. You will have many occasions to compose thank you letters and you should realize the benefits involved. Briefly, you should write a thank you letter under the following circumstances:
- Immediately following your initial interview
- Immediately following your second interview
- Receipt of an offer letter
Sending a thank you letter under the above circumstances is only following simple common courtesy. Even if you decide to decline either the interview invitation or the offer, you should let the recruiter know your appreciation of being considered. The recruiter spent the time necessary to let you know that they are interested in you, and you owe them the same courtesy.
Composing the thank you letter will take only a few moments of your time, and it will have multiple benefits. Not only will it keep your name in the mind of the recruiter, but it will also create the impression that you are aware of standard business practices regarding necessary correspondence.
Always, without fail, spell the potential employer’s name correctly. There is simply no excuse for sending out a blind thank you letter or spelling a name wrong. You will cause more damage by sending out an improperly addressed thank you letter than you would by not sending out a letter at all. So never send a thank you letter if you are not sure of the correct spelling.
Keep it brief. You do not need to reiterate your selling points; you are merely expressing your appreciation of the time and consideration given to you. This is a courtesy that you should extend and it will affect the impression the employer has of you.
Double check the letter for accuracy. Remember that in all your correspondence, you should make doubly certain that there are no grammatical or typographical errors in your text. You should strive for perfection, and since your correspondence is an extension of yourself, you will want to “put your best foot forward.”
Below are 2 sample Thank You letter:
Sample Thank-You Letter 1
1313 California Circle, #103
Rockville, MD 20852
(301) 555-2345
March 1, 1999
Mr. Roy Harrison
Marketing Analysis Services Manager
The Bureau of National Affairs
1231 25th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20037
Dear Mr. Harrison:
Thank you for meeting with me last Friday. I found our discussion to be very informative and am excited about the possibility of joining your staff as a marketing associate.
I also met with George Mantle, Marketing Associate. We had a pleasant conversation, and he showed me several ongoing projects. I was impressed with the variety of projects you handle, from brochures to larger Television marketing. I would enjoy working with George as an assistant, and feel that we could teach each other; learning is always a corporate activity in the broadest sense.
As I mentioned in the interview, I can offer many skills and insights that are essential to the marketing efforts of the Bureau of National Affairs. In particular, I have played an integral role in the marketing compilation of specialized marketing lists.
I am confident I can make a valuable contribution to BNA. I am impressed by the long-term possibilities with your organization and look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Janice Real
Sample Thank-You Letter 2
123 Circle Square
Poughkeepsie, NY 02454
(555) 555-3354
April 9, 1999
Mr. Robert Jeffers
Virginia Dept. of Game and Inland Fisheries
P.O. Box 333
Richmond, VA 25453
Dear Mr. Jeffers,
I appreciated the chance to speak with you last Tuesday. The tour of Friends Secondary helped me gain a fuller sense of the school’s purpose. It seems to be a fun, yet educational environment with a diverse student body.
As we had discussed, I would also enjoy volunteer coaching with the school’s cross-country and track teams while working in the art department. I spoke with Coach Dan Carter on Monday and he told me about the teams and his coaching philosophies. I found that I respect his views on balancing competition with cooperation in a Quaker-affiliated athletic team.
As you said, it is often a challenge to work with students and staff of diverse interests. I would strive to encourage individuals’ creative inspiration, while maintaining a consistent itinerary of basic programs, such as the after-school child care program and the weekly African American women’s support group.
Thanks again for taking the time to talk with me. I look forward to a call from you next week. I am usually home after 3 p.m. every day.
Sincerely,
J. Edward Qutie
