Thank you email after interview?

Silent Runner

I've been to a few interviews and while doing my preparation for them I've been looking online to get some pointers. Anyways I've come across this idea of sending a thank you note/email to your interviewer after the interview.

I've never even heard of this until recently. I'm just wondering if this is common practice here or is this something that goes on in the States?

Maybe I'm a little cynical but I wouldn't feel comfortable doing it, there's something about it that screams needy/brownnoser about it and on top of that I wouldn't like to send it since they are probably already inundated with emails etc. I do thank the interview panel for the interview at the very end of the interview.

Pat Mustard

I think that it would be seen as a little inappropriate in this country.

Ann Landers

Not really the done thing here. I think I did it in desperation a few times a few years back, and that's exactly what I think it signifies, desperation. I would never do it again. Live and learn.

Boldberry

I've always been told to send up a follow up email in the form of a thank you note.

ABajaninCork

Boldberry wrote: »

I've always been told to send up a follow up email in the form of a thank you note.

So have I. I take it as an opportunity to remind the interviewer why I would be a good fit for the role. It's also good manners, and entirely normal in the UK where I'm from. Why is it seen as 'Not the done thing' here? I don't understand...

Perhaps that's why I still don't have a job! :P

AlfaZen

I sent a thank you note after second interview when I was told I had not got the job. 2 months later they called me back for a third interview and I'm now happily work there.

I don't see how it can do any harm as long as the tone is correct.

truedoom

I wouldn't send an email.

What i do is ask the Interviewer if i can add them on LinkedIn, so i can increase my networking. Never had a negative reply to that.

Then again, i go for techy jobs, so things like that are a good thing.

Ann Landers

ABajaninCork wrote: »

So have I. I take it as an opportunity to remind the interviewer why I would be a good fit for the role.

Thing is, they'll already have that decided.

Wabbit Ears

thread on this recently enough

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057137395


Ive conducted loads of interviews, If anyone mailed me a thank you Id think them weird and they would instanly be crossed off the list. Then again I work in IT and Id perfer to be wowed by someones skillset rather then weirded out for all time by their ability to be a world class suckup. Probably may be different in marketing or some such role.

So, IMHO, While some people may have gotten a job after sending a thank you Id say they got the job in spite of sending a thank you, it certianly wouldnt have done them any favours.

Sugar Free

I guess like a lot of things, that it depends on the company, interactions in the hiring process, the role and of course the tone of the email itself.

I sent a thank you email after my third interview for my current role but it's a company with a strong U.S. culture and a role that very much requires a 'people' person. Additionally, the email was a very short, thank you for the opportunity, reiteration of my enthusiasm for the role etc. Two or three short sentences and that was it.

In these particular circumstances the thank you email was seen as a positive thing (from feedback on my application). How it will be seen by the recruiter should be judged separately for each position you apply for imo.

ABajaninCork

The Mustard wrote: »

I think that it would be seen as a little inappropriate in this country.

Ann Landers wrote: »

Not really the done thing here.

Mr.S wrote: »

I would only email after an interview if I was sending on any additional info.

Seems a bit of a "PICK ME PICK ME" type tactic tbh!

You obviously say thank yous in person after the interview, don't see the reason for emailing thank you again, in a email?

Wabbit Ears wrote: »

thread on this recently enough

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057137395


Ive conducted loads of interviews, If anyone mailed me a thank you Id think them weird and they would instanly be crossed off the list. Then again I work in IT and Id perfer to be wowed by someones skillset rather then weirded out for all time by their ability to be a world class suckup. Probably may be different in marketing or some such role.

So, IMHO, While some people may have gotten a job after sending a thank you Id say they got the job in spite of sending a thank you, it certianly wouldnt have done them any favours.

All of you are saying it's weird. But none of you have said WHY? WHY is it considered 'sucking up'? What's wrong with wanting to display common courtesy?

I really don't understand this mindset. To me, THAT'S weird...

JaMarcusHustle

Wabbit Ears wrote: »

Ive conducted loads of interviews, If anyone mailed me a thank you Id think them weird and they would instanly be crossed off the list.

What if they were the most qualified and suitable for the job?

ABajaninCork

Mr.S wrote: »

Because you do that in person, rather then in a follow up email.

Following up with a "thank you" email, to me, a bit pointless because you could / should have said all that to them directly after the interview in person.

Seems like a bit of a cheap trick to stay in their minds. You've nothing to add and would be repeating yourself.

I guess we'll have to agree to disagree then. I think the general thinking on here is weird. But that's just my opinion...

Ann Landers

ABajaninCork wrote: »

All of you are saying it's weird. But none of you have said WHY? WHY is it considered 'sucking up'? What's wrong with wanting to display common courtesy?

I really don't understand this mindset. To me, THAT'S weird...

You'll have already thanked them at the end of the interview.

As you can see, it's not as well received in Ireland so if you've been doing it here, it might be affecting your chances.

seamus

ABajaninCork wrote: »

I guess we'll have to agree to disagree then. I think the general thinking on here is weird. But that's just my opinion...

I don't necessarily agree with the thinking, but I can understand how it would be seen in Ireland as being over-the-top. Moreover, it comes off as insincere, since as Mr. S. mentions, you will already have thanked the interviewer as you left the building.
So a follow-up thank you appears to be contrived politeness, and as I mentioned in the linked thread, "Contrived politeness is seen as being worse than doing nothing because you're being polite in order to curry some favour. It's not politeness because you're just a nice person, it's politeness for exactly the opposite reason - because you're a selfish person who wants something in return."

Whether that's true or not is kind of irrelevant, as we know it's all about appearances.

If you get another email from the interviewer, even a PFO, then it's appropriate to thank them again. But not out of the blue. It's not "the done thing" here

Wabbit Ears

JaMarcusHustle wrote: »

What if they were the most qualified and suitable for the job?

Perhaps, but the most qualified and suitable for the job doesnt need to resort to such cheap tricks. A followup thank you e-mail reeks of desperation, not confidence.

Wabbit Ears

ABajaninCork wrote: »

All of you are saying it's weird. But none of you have said WHY? WHY is it considered 'sucking up'? What's wrong with wanting to display common courtesy?

I really don't understand this mindset. To me, THAT'S weird...

For something to be common courtesy it would imply that A) it would be common, which its not and A courtesy which would have been shaking their hand at the end of the interview, saying how nice it was to talk to them and you hope to have the oppertunity to talk again.

Eoin

I can't remember the last time I knew the email address of my interviewer; I certainly never gave mine out to candidates as all contact was made through HR and/or an agency. I'm sure the email address could be worked out easily, but that would most definitely be OTT.

I wouldn't want to receive that email because if the candidate wasn't successful, I know that the bad news and any follow ups (feedback or whatever) is delivered by people who are paid to do that. I wouldn't be delighted with the thought of getting emails directly asking why they didn't get the job etc.

Ann Landers

Eoin wrote: »

I wouldn't be delighted with the thought of getting emails directly asking why they didn't get the job etc.

Not even looking for feedback? HR feedback tends to be rubbish.

moc moc a moc

If you go on a date with a woman, do you send her a 'thank you' text straight afterward?

Hell no, you don't. If you did, you'd come across as a needy little boy. You want her chasing after you, not the other way around.

Same rules apply.

Silent Runner

ABajaninCork wrote: »

So ...and entirely normal in the UK where I'm from. ...

If you don't mind me asking, would it be normal to send a thank you email/note after thanking them in person in the UK? I can understand replying with a thank you email after being told that I wasn't successful (while grinding my teeth :pac:).

Wabbit Ears wrote: »

thread on this recently enough

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057137395

...QUOTE]

Apologies, I should do a little more research before I start a thread

Ann Landers wrote: »

Not even looking for feedback? HR feedback tends to be rubbish.

I agree. I asked for feed back once, having went to the UK for an interview, but I could quite clearly see it was a copy and paste job (two different fonts were a dead give away) I guess they are quite busy.

ABajaninCork

Let me make it clear. I am in no way 'needy'. Nor am I a 'suck-up' (to use the charming phrase seen on this thread). If anything, I can be the opposite - just ask my husband! . But I do believe in common courtesy and showing good manners.

I'm an old-fashioned kinda gal I guess. I'm the type who writes 'Thank You' notes if someone gives me a gift, does something nice for me, and yes - If they've taken time out of their day to interview me! If you all see me as a 'suck-up' sitting on your oh so superior perches in your offices condescending to me because I dare to write you a 'Thank You' e-mail, then perhaps you might not be the kind of employer I might want to work for...

Ann Landers

ABajaninCork wrote: »

Let me make it clear. I am in no way 'needy'. Nor am I a 'suck-up' (to use the charming phrase seen on this thread).

I'm sure you're not at all, but that's how it's often perceived here for whatever reason.

ABajaninCork wrote: »

If they've taken time out of their day to interview me! If you all see me as a 'suck-up' sitting on your oh so superior perches in your offices condescending to me because I dare to write you a 'Thank You' e-mail, then perhaps you might not be the kind of employer I might want to work for...

There's no need for that, people have just given what their honest reaction would be. Ireland differs for the UK in this respect, probably better to adapt.

Eoin

Ann Landers wrote: »

Not even looking for feedback? HR feedback tends to be rubbish.

Yep, I will give my feedback to our HR team to pass on, for a number of reasons.

I just don't want to get into a back & forth with the candidate. I don't have time for that, and it's not my job.

I may have passed because that the candidate was just absolutely clueless / unlikeable / had the charisma of a soggy cabbage / clearly lied their arse off in the CV. HR will be better at dressing that up - sometimes their feedback is rubbish because they weren't given reasons by the interviewer that can be passed on nicely!

ABajaninCork

Ann Landers wrote: »

Not even looking for feedback? HR feedback tends to be rubbish.

If you get feedback at all. Personally, I find it a waste of time looking for feedback. You never get the full strength anyway.

Pat Mustard

ABajaninCork wrote: »

All of you are saying it's weird. But none of you have said WHY? WHY is it considered 'sucking up'? What's wrong with wanting to display common courtesy?

I really don't understand this mindset. To me, THAT'S weird...

It might come across as a bit of a hard sell. Irish people like a soft sell, not a hard sell.

I suppose that an unsolicited 'thank you' email might be perceived as a little ingratiating, before a job has been offered.

I'm sure it could be perfectly normal outside of Ireland.

That aside, I know of certain people who have sent 'follow-up' emails after interviews.

ABajaninCork

The Mustard wrote: »

It might come across as a bit of a hard sell. Irish people like a soft sell, not a hard sell.

I suppose that an unsolicited 'thank you' email might be perceived as a little ingratiating, before a job has been offered.

I'm sure it could be perfectly normal outside of Ireland.

Fair comment...

ABajaninCork

Ann Landers wrote: »

I'm sure you're not at all, but that's how it's often perceived here for whatever reason.



There's no need for that, people have just given what their honest reaction would be. Ireland differs for the UK in this respect, probably better to adapt.

So what did you think I did??

Ann Landers

ABajaninCork wrote: »

So what did you think I did??

I don't follow.

ABajaninCork

You were saying 'Perhaps I should adapt'. I asked you what did you suppose I did?

Ann Landers

ABajaninCork wrote: »

You were saying 'Perhaps I should adapt'. I asked you what did you suppose I did?

Send thank you emails.

ABajaninCork wrote: »

So have I. I take it as an opportunity to remind the interviewer why I would be a good fit for the role. It's also good manners, and entirely normal in the UK where I'm from. Why is it seen as 'Not the done thing' here? I don't understand...

Perhaps that's why I still don't have a job! :P

ABajaninCork

No. Not for here, obviously as they are not appreciated. I'm applying for roles at home, so yes where applicable, I have. But as I've stated, I don't understand the mentality WRT thank you e-mails here...

Ann Landers

ABajaninCork wrote: »

No. Not for here, obviously as they are not appreciated. I'm applying for roles at home, so yes where applicable, I have. But as I've stated, I don't understand the mentality WRT thank you e-mails here...

It must be tiresome to get thank you emails from all the interviewees in countries where it's more common.

ABajaninCork

Ann Landers wrote: »

It must be tiresome to get thank you emails from all the interviewees in countries where it's more common.

Why?? Not everyone will send e-mails clearly, but they aren't looked on with scorn as they are here...

glued

I don't think that you should send one. It may be polite in other countries but in Ireland it certainly is not common. More importantly it isn't going to help you get a job.

I have never heard of a follow up email helping somebody's claim for a job. I don't think it would do much harm but it may put some people off.

They liked your CV so they interview you. If they need to assess you further they may ask you to sit an exam or attend a further interview. At this point the recruiter has all the information they need about you. If they're caught between two people for one role then I can't see an email helping your case, particularly in a job that requires a certain formal etiquette. It may come across as pushy or desperate too.

Ann Landers

glued wrote: »

I don't think that you should send one. It may be polite in other countries but in Ireland it certainly is not common. More importantly it isn't going to help you get a job.

The key point. It might even go against you.

redalan

Hi

I think it is a perfectly normal thing to do.
Thank them for their time and say that you look forward to hearing from them.
Remember that interviewing is the least reliable way to predict success in a role and that the first and last interviewee is most likely to be remembered. Therefore, a small note might be the way to keep you in the interviewers thoughts.

Eoin

ABajaninCork wrote: »

Why?? Not everyone will send e-mails clearly, but they aren't looked on with scorn as they are here...

You seem to be making this a bigger deal than it is. It's just not expected here, so you don't have to feel like it's basic manners / common courtesy. As has also been said, it's more than enough good manners to thank them at the end of the interview.

You might find it a bit OTT if someone sent a handwritten Hallmark thank you card to the interviewer, as you would only send an email. Similarly, people in Ireland find it a bit OTT to send an email when it's just not expected.

Noo

I'm in Australia and went on a fair few interviews, like the OP I read online about sending the email. So sent an email for only one of them saying thank you and how interested I was in the job after meeting them and learning more about the role. It was actually a genuine email as it was the only job I interviewed for that I came out more interested than when I went in. I got the job but my boss did tell me later that they already knew they were going to hire me before I even walked out the door so I don't think the email made any difference in the end.

ionapaul

I've often sent emails to thank whomever set up the interview (HR or actual hiring manager) and let them know I'd be happy to provide more information if necessary. Don't think it hurts your chances any, and seems a polite thing to do. I've always done this and have gotten jobs in Ireland, the US and Australia over the years.

cabledude

Slightly off topic, but what say you all in terms of contacting a recruiter after the time period that they told you in the interview for decisions to be made has passed.

I was told 2 weeks back that a decision would be made in 1 week. Twice that has passed now and I've heard nothing. Anything wrong with a short, polite email asking on the status of the process?

Silent Runner

cabledude wrote: »

Slightly off topic, but what say you all in terms of contacting a recruiter after the time period that they told you in the interview for decisions to be made has passed.

I was told 2 weeks back that a decision would be made in 1 week. Twice that has passed now and I've heard nothing. Anything wrong with a short, polite email asking on the status of the process?

No harm I don't think, as long as it's worded in a polite manner it shows your interested in the position. I did an interview about 5 weeks ago and they said they'd make a decision 2 weeks after the interview. Sent them a short email asking about the status of the position, just got back a message saying management are still deliberating and they will be in contact in due course etc. A lot of things can hold up the recruitment process.

Apiarist

cabledude wrote: »

I was told 2 weeks back that a decision would be made in 1 week. Twice that has passed now and I've heard nothing. Anything wrong with a short, polite email asking on the status of the process?

A short polite e-mail is fine. Just tell that them that you are still interested in the position and would they please update you when any decision is reached.

Why haven't they answered you yet? I can tell you how the recruiting is done in our [software] company. Suppose we need to feel 2 positions. The hiring manager conducts pre-interviews on the phone and selects candidates. Usually we interview 3-4 candidates at a time. Future colleagues of the candidates prepare questions and proceed with grilling candidates over the course of a day. At the end of the day we thank the candidates, let them go and then have a meeting to discuss the suitability of candidates. What usually happens is something like this:
- Most agree that we should take Candidate A but he is too good for the grade we are hiring at. We should ask higher management for an allocation of a higher grade salary.
- Candidates B and C are pretty good, but have their weaknesses. We should take one of them. Or both of them if Candidate A's negotiations are not successful.
- Candidate D is voted out by the majority.

Decisions on suitability of each candidate are reached the same day, but you can see that only Candidate D has a chance to get a [negative] reply soon.

Also, getting back to the original question of the topic: no "Thank you" letter is going to change those decisions. It would go straight to the bin, we already wasted a day on interviews, nobody has time to read follow-up letters.

cabledude

victor8600 wrote: »

A short polite e-mail is fine. Just tell that them that you are still interested in the position and would they please update you when any decision is reached.

Why haven't they answered you yet? I can tell you how the recruiting is done in our [software] company. Suppose we need to feel 2 positions. The hiring manager conducts pre-interviews on the phone and selects candidates. Usually we interview 3-4 candidates at a time. Future colleagues of the candidates prepare questions and proceed with grilling candidates over the course of a day. At the end of the day we thank the candidates, let them go and then have a meeting to discuss the suitability of candidates. What usually happens is something like this:
- Most agree that we should take Candidate A but he is too good for the grade we are hiring at. We should ask higher management for an allocation of a higher grade salary.
- Candidates B and C are pretty good, but have their weaknesses. We should take one of them. Or both of them if Candidate A's negotiations are not successful.
- Candidate D is voted out by the majority.

Decisions on suitability of each candidate are reached the same day, but you can see that only Candidate D has a chance to get a [negative] reply soon.

Also, getting back to the original question of the topic: no "Thank you" letter is going to change those decisions. It would go straight to the bin, we already wasted a day on interviews, nobody has time to read follow-up letters.

Thanks. In my case there are 12 being taken for an expansion. So, I suppose, that means a fair amount of screening/debating etc.

Apologies to the O.P. for bringing the thread slightly off topic.

mickman

send a thank you email to HR for setting up the interviews etc but dont contact the hiring manager