Hand written Thank You letters to much?

I just had an informational phone interview (25 min long), and I wanted to send a quick Thank You letter. I already know there isn’t a chance for a position with the firm; they just recently downsized and no near signs of growth in the near term. He gave me a name to follow up with, but couldn’t provide an introduction because he only met this individual once. I already asked if I could follow up with him at a later time and he said, “Yes”. So I just wanted to write a short, 3-4 sentence, Thank You letter thanking him for his time and insight.

So is a hand written letter to much/too old fashion/too weird? I’m also currently residing outside the US if that matters.

38 Comments
 

if you do hand write the note use blue ink.

not sure why i know that but i do so it would be wise for you to have it as well.

 

I've never done it but I've heard it can make a lasting impression, but that's only if you're still in the running for a position or want to continue the dialogue. So many people send email thank you notes, that when someone does send a written one you definitely remember it. Person would definitely remember you though, but best to do as soon as possible.

 

I would usually do an email in a typical situation such as, applying for a position, to keep the conversation going, as noted above. However, the purpose of the call was: A.)Introduce myself B.) Get his professional insight/feedback, and C.) Feel out any chance of a future opportunity at his firm. Being that I accomplished my objectives, and he agreed to future discussions, I don't want to beat a dead horse and ask him additional question(s) through email. When I return back to the States in the coming months I would like to meet with him sometime, so I don't want to seem to pushy/annoying.

I just think the thank you letter, hand written (nicely), is a nice touch to a friendly professional conversation.

 
Best Response

My father beat it into me to always write hand written letters whenever given an opportunity to network/taking someones time for career advice. He runs his own business and said that he has always remembered those who have sent him a thank you letter after an interview.

Look at it this way. Every person in the free world sends a thank you email and that has no differentiating qualities about it. On the other hand, a handwritten letter can never hurt you and adds a personal touch. It shows that you took the time to write, buy a stamp, and drop off at the post office, and in my opinion this implies that you care much moreso than an email.

Do to the delayed delivery in postage, sending a quick thank you email is fine but when they see the letter you come to their head again.

Call me old fashioned, but I dont think you can ever go wrong with a thank you letter.

 

A dude that came in for interviews sent hand written notes to everyone that he interviewed with (I think it was 8 in all). The issue was that he basically said the same stuff to each of us. I don't know about the senior guys but all the associates and analysts thought it was a bit over the top....especially since there wasn't much substance to the letter. In that sense I agree with the folks here that it 1) send it to older (hopefully senior) guys and 2) make sure the content warrants a hand-written note (reference something from the conversation/interview that is unique to you as a candidate so that the person is not looking at just another thank you note)

 

I think it's a generational thing - thumbs up for guys over 40, otherwise it's probably a bit much

You can't kill the guys you trade with
 
"realjackryan"

Partner says do it, do it.

Seriously. How is this a question?

@pufflye" - no offense to you, but no one cares about your personal opinions on post-interview correspondence. The partner who told you that was obviously giving you insider information into what the partners value because he liked you - something he knows will impress his fellow partners and give you an edge.

Commercial Real Estate Developer
 

e-mail thank you should be enough. That being said, I found it extremely effective to make sure I was writing thank you notes that were thoughtful and specific to the particular person that I was writing. Try to mention something in the interview, maybe a similarity or connection you made and make sure each thank you note to one team is different...you don't want to use something generic where you are changing just the name of the person you are addressing.

XX
 

People always recommend hand-written, but I think it comes off as trying too hard. I say stick to email, always has worked for me.

 

Send a brief email personalized to each person you interviewed with within a day after the interview... thank you for your time, I appreciate your consideration, I was very impressed with XYZ, it was a great experience and definitely solidified my interest in the position and the firm, etc... whatever is appropriate for your specific situation and interviews.

 
The KidSend a brief email personalized to each person you interviewed with within a day after the interview... thank you for your time, I appreciate your consideration, I was very impressed with XYZ, it was a great experience and definitely solidified my interest in the position and the firm, etc... whatever is appropriate for your specific situation and interviews.

thanks.

"...the art of good business, is being a good middle man, putting people togeather. It's all about honor and respect."
 

Thank you's will not make you get the offer. Sending a hand note seems kiss-ass and more desperate. Send a simple email.

Frank Sinatra - "Alcohol may be man's worst enemy, but the bible says love your enemy."
 
yeahrightThank you's will not make you get the offer. Sending a hand note seems kiss-ass and more desperate. Send a simple email.

ya thats what i thought too. i have never done it before, been asking co-workers at my office and some have said they've done that in the past. but i would really love to work there so i thought meh why the hell not, right? (but i just stuck to an email response for now).

"...the art of good business, is being a good middle man, putting people togeather. It's all about honor and respect."
 

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"...the art of good business, is being a good middle man, putting people togeather. It's all about honor and respect."
 

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