Good! In the US, that’s the way to go about it. But presume that your interview was not in the US, but abroad, in a Gulf country, in Australia, France or South Africa. Would a thank-you letter still be required? Would it be proper to send one? If the answer is yes, would it be on the same lines as a letter within our country, or would the format be different?
Confusing queries, but the answers are simple. To the former I say, it may be written but not necessarily so. It is not practiced and hence not expected. But you can send it, there is no harm in sending one.
To the latter question regarding its format, I would have to say that it has to be different, what works in America may not necessarily work in Japan or elsewhere.
The basic difference between America and the other countries is that here, the job-aspirant initiates and pursues the matter in an attempt to push it forward; overseas it is the employers duty to assess the interviews and send appropriate responses.
- What Works In America, May Not Work Elsewhere
Thank you notes are common and expected by the companies. However, they are not as prevalent in other countries. Many Japanese professionals expressed surprise at its widespread acceptance in the US employment space, saying that in Japan, it was neither expected nor should one send a thank-you note.
However, if your job lead was through another individual, it would be correct and needed to thank the person and send him a token gift of appreciation as well.
Just as in Japan, thank you notes are not as popular in Germany and Portugal, as they are in America. Moreover, in Europe, the follow-up after an interview is usually in the employer's court.
I know of an IT professional, who acknowledged that even though he had conducted several interviews across Europe, he was yet to receive a letter of gratitude after an interview from a job applicant.
Strangely, even in the UK, where the Britishers are known for their stiff upper lips and as sticklers for propriety in their social and professional lives, aspirants don’t attach too much importance to it. Not only are thank you letters infrequent, but surveys show that the existing numbers are decreasing
- Latin Americans Share Our Name But Not Our Systems
In Latin America, thank-you notes are not obligatory. They are left to the discretion of the job-aspirant. Those you send the letters prefer to send handwritten ones. Urban cities are now resorting to typing and emailing letters. As in Europe, the follow-up after an interview depends largely on the employer and it is normally, he who decided what comes next.
- What Should Americans Do?
In the US it would be accepted procedure if the job seeker, sent thank-you notes and followed it up with calls and more persistent calls. It could even be seen as your keenness and desire towards the job that you are seeking.
Following the same course of action overseas would make you seem over-enthusiastic and aggressive. So a simple polite thank-you note should suffice, beyond that leave it to your fate.
- What About Americans Companies Located Abroad?
There are many American companies based abroad. Their management is basically composed of American executives, even though their workforce may be predominantly local. If you have applied to them and been interviewed by them, it perhaps better you follow standard US procedures. They will probably approve of the American flavor that your approach will provide.
1) What About Companies Within America Looking For Global Staff?
A lesson that American employers can learn from this, is that if they are looking for global staff, then don’t expect to hear from them after the interview. Such a move is alien to their culture. It is not as if they are not interested, they are waiting to hear from you. In their culture such an approach signals respect and deference for the management, it should not be construed as apathy or indifference.
