The Importance of Job Interview Follow Up Letters
Many job seekers believe that the application process ends with the interview. After the interview, they’ve done all they can do and the only thing left is just to wait. This is a false assumption, however, because these job seekers are leaving out a very important aspect of the application process — the job interview follow up letter. When you write follow up correspondence after interviewing, you show initiative and courtesy that sets you apart from the competition. It is important, however, to understand the proper way to write such a letter.
It is important to neatly type your followup letter and print it on high quality paper. Resume paper in white or cream is a good choice. Use a black 12 to 14pt font in an easy-to-read style such as Times New Roman, Courier, Verdana or Tahoma. Mail your letter in a lined security envelope which has also been typed rather than handwritten. Now let’s talk about the actual content of the letter. On the upper left hand side of the page should be the date, then a double space, followed by your name, address and contact information. Double space again, then type the address information such as the name of the company and whose attention the correspondence is to. Double space once more, and you’re all set to begin your letter.
Always address the letter by name rather than ‘to whom it may concern.’ If you’re not sure of the interviewer’s name, call the company you interviewed with and ask the receptionist, but don’t give your name unless you have to. The first paragraph should thank the interviewer for taking the time to interview you. In the second paragraph, briefly outline your qualifications and why you are the best candidate for the job. In the third paragraph, thank the interviewer once more and include a call to action, such as ‘I look forward to hearing from you.’
Job interview follow up letters serve several purposes. They remind the interviewer how qualified you are. They show both courtesy and ambition. And, they demonstrate your ability to communicate via written correspondence. Just make sure you run Spell Check on your letter and use correct grammar and punctuation. A well written follow up letter can be a valuable tool when it comes to getting hired for a job where there are lots of qualified applicants. For example, let’s suppose you and an equally qualified applicant are up for the same job. You send a follow up letter, the other applicant doesn’t. As you can imagine, follow up correspondence can work in your favor during a situation like this.
