After the Interview:

 Was the job interview promising?  Did you feel like it was a good experience?  Chances are if you felt good about it, so did the person or people who conducted your interview.  While that doesn’t guarantee that you’ll land that dream job, it definitely means you’re on the right track. 

 But how can you stay or the right track once you’ve shaken everyone’s hand and gone home?  They said “We’ll be in touch”.   What should be the next step?  Is there a way to reinforce the good feelings that the hiring professional(s) had about you without being pushy or overbearing?  What can you do to make one last positive impression? You can’t call or stop in.  There HAS to be something!

 There is!  Not only is it simple, but its been proven to be successful time and again.  In today’s world of emails, blogs, and texts, sometimes the easiest thing to do is the last thing you think of.  It’s the classy, hand-written or typed, snail-mailed thank-you note (make sure if you write by hand that the stationary you select is professional – no Snoopy thank-you cards!).  You will be surprised at how effective this old-fashioned, simple technique can be.

Make sure your note includes the following:

1. Greet the professional(s) by name.  If you are in doubt as to whether or not to write more than one letter to different individuals, WRITE MORE THAN ONE LETTER.
2. Express Gratitude.  Say what you mean.  Use active language.  Avoid pitfalls like “I’m just writing to say…”
3. Reinforce a point of discussion from the interview that seemed particularly promising.
4. State a plan for the future.  Stating a measurable goal might not be a bad idea.
5. Mention the name of a reference that can also speak to your skill set.  Its always comforting to a hiring professional to know that others have been impressed by your work in the past.  MAKE SURE YOUR REFERENCE IS AWARE YOU ARE USING HIS OR HER NAME!!!
6. Regards.  Wrap it up simply.  “I look forward to hearing from you” is pretty standard fare, followed by whatever salutation you feel most comfortable with.  Remember to keep it professional.  Obviously “love,” or “with love,” would be inappropriate ways to end your letter.
7. If you typed your letter, don’t forget to spell check and sign it.  If you wrote your letter by hand, make sure its legible and grammatically correct. 
8. Mail it within 24 hours of your interview.

Sample Letter:
123 Happy Street
Truth or Consequences, NM  87901
December 12, 2012

Joy Brand
Associate Executive Director
Superland Jewish Community Center
321 Fake Street
Superland, IA  12345

Dear Ms. Brand,

 Thanks again for the opportunity to interview for the coordinator Family and Youth Services Director position.  I really appreciate your hospitality. It was great to meet you and members of the Professional Development team.

 The interview completely reinforced the feeling I have; my skill set, background and interests would be a perfect fit within the Superland JCC.  As I mentioned during the interview, I truly believe my experience as a youth, teen, and camp director, combined with the fact that I have been familiar with the JCC system since childhood, has prepared me well for the opportunities and challenges that the position offers.  Once again, I am extremely confident that within the first twelve months, my work for the organization will result in successful new family-oriented programs, and a significant increase in member participation of current youth and teen programs.  I’m also very excited about the possibility of forming a social action club for teens, as we discussed.

 If you would like to find out more about my experience in the JCC movement or my dedication to non-profit work, please contact my former supervisor Tory Holland at (212) 786 5086.  I have spoken with Tory and she is more than happy to speak with you.

 I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours,

Lonny Friedman

 Another Article on the importance of Thank You letters