To Type or Write by Hand
People often agonize over whether to type or handwrite a thank-you note, and whether to send it on business stationery or personal notepaper. For the record: It simply doesn't matter. The most important thing to remember about thank-you notes is to send one as soon as possible. If you think a typed note on printed letterhead is more businesslike, boot up your computer and goes to it. If you enjoy jotting personal notes to friends and acquaintances on Crane's monogrammed note cards, curl up in your favorite easy chair and start writing. Professionals in our stroke-deprived culture get so few compliments from each other that they might even welcome a note scribbled on the back of your latest to-do list.
Thank-You Notes for Employment Interviews
There are several ways to categorize interview thank-you notes. However, we'll concentrate on three types:
- The "I-want-the-job" note.
- The "I-don't-want-the-job" note.
- The "overcoming-employer-or-client-concerns" note.
This employment interview thank-you note is similar to the enthusiastic letter you send after a networking appointment that has real potential. In your first paragraph, compliment the interviewer or her company. In your second, mention how your background, skills and personality traits parallel what the potential employer (or client) is seeking. And, in the third paragraph, state your intention to remain in touch until she makes her decision.
Among the typical interview thank-you notes that follow, several were prepared by Larry Frantz and Richard Hirsch, whose letters are considered fine examples of how to finesse an employment or consulting relationship.
By the way, Larry is now growing a successful business in corporate financial consulting, and Richard has found a sales position with John Weekly homes, a well-known custom builder.
I-Want-the-Job" Thank-You Notes
3270 Dana Drive
Dallas, Texas 75220
214-352-2400
Beeper: 324-2400
July 20, 199X
Ms. MARTHA C. COCHRAN
Executive Vice President
GENERA HOMES of TEXAS
Dallas/Ft. Worth Division
1431 Greenbelt Drive
Suite 700
Irving, Texas 75038
Dear Martha:
I appreciate your seeing me on Monday to discuss if Genera and I would be a good match. I was impressed with your warmth, friendly manner and your interest in acquainting job candidates with several Genera managers. The more we can learn about each other, the better decision we will collectively make on the viability of a long-term business relationship.
During our interview, I told you a good deal about my background and approach to sales. In reading Update Builders Report, I noticed that the company also believes strongly in offering a quality product, attending to details and going the extra mile for its clients. Because these things are so important to me, it's critical that I join an organization whose philosophy agrees with mine.
I look forward to hearing from you in the next week or so. If you haven't contacted me by Tuesday, I will call you to touch base on where we stand at this point and where we need to go from here.
Sincerely yours,
Richard A. Hirsch
3270 Dana Drive
Dallas, Texas 75220
214-352-2400
July 14, 199X
Mr. Mike McGruder
General Sales Manager
GENERA HOMES OF TEXAS
Dallas/Ft. Worth Division
1200 Greenbelt Drive, #700
Irving, TX 75038
Dear Mike:
Thank you for getting together with me to discuss a sales position with Genera. I was very impressed with the company's philosophy on customer service and its commitment to finding and keeping outstanding professionals.
Frankly, I was amazed at the speed and efficiency of your home-building process and the fact that any punch list items are fixed within three days. Based on my extensive experience working with builders, your attention to customer needs is extraordinary.
For the past 14 years, starting when I was 16, I have had a successful career in selling products and services to customers who demand the best value for their money. I think I am most effective with people who ask tough questions and want to know why they should buy from me.
As far as I'm concerned, good sales techniques are highly transferable. They work whether you are selling remodeling projects, high-ticket retail items, or new homes. If you find out your clients' needs, show them how your product (home) matches their requirements, offer an excellent value and always follow through on your promises, you will make the sale and generate referral business at the same time.
Because of many years of experience in interior design and home sales, I have an extensive net work of realtors who enjoy selling new homes. If I work for Genera, I will bring both my expertise in sales and my contacts in the real-estate business to your firm.
As I said in my interview, I want to work for Genera. I think your company and I have a lot to offer each other and would make an excellent match. Perhaps if you can't hire me now, there are some things I could do prior to your next opening to prove I would be an asset for your company.
I will call you Tuesday 7/20/9X to set up a time to explore some options. I look forward to talking with you soon.
Sincerely yours,
Richard A. Hirsch
LAWRENCE G. FRANTZ
6535 Northpoint Drive
Dallas, Texas 75248
September 1, 199X
Mr. L. H. Robinson
President and Chief Executive Officer
Triple Drilling Company
5956 Cognac Lane, Suite 1 500
Dallas, TX 75225-9004
Dear Dick:
I appreciate the opportunity to spend some time with you and learn more about Triple. The IPO prospectus was very complete and thorough, but there is no substitute for talking with the boss to learn what the company is really like. And it may be motherhood and apple pie to some, but to me, words like Quality Company, safe working environment and a CEO with integrity are critical.
If I understand what you are looking for, you want a financial professional to help you determine the appropriate capital structure for Triple. You would like to have the confidence that you have access to the capital to grow the company the way you want without being dependent on your European owner. You are perhaps less concerned about whether your investor relations and human resource functions are up graded, but you seemed willing to listen to suggestions in those areas.
You expressed concern that it had taken some time before you were able to schedule our interview. This is a very important step you are about to take, and I think you should be as deliberate as you need to be. Judging from my impression of Allen, you already have some quality people, and you want to be certain your CFO is consistent with that tradition.
I am very enthusiastic about working with Triple. It looks like a fine company and I am sure I could help make it even better. I would be willing to consider either a full-time CFO position, or as an option, you may wish to try a part-time consultant for say, six months. A consulting relationship would give us both an opportunity to get comfortable with each other with an option to make it permanent.
Thanks again for your time.
Sincerely,
Larry Frantz
Lawrence G. Frantz
6535 Northpoint Drive
Dallas, Texas 75248
March 18, 199X
Ms. Katharine Kinney
Planning and Administration
Growtex Corp,
4111 Lemon Way
Dallas, TX 75237
Dear Katharine;
I really enjoyed our lunch meeting yesterday. You are interesting, articulate and, obviously, very intent on learning all you can about investor relations.
Growtex also sounds like a fine, professionally-run organization. This is exactly the kind of company and management I would like to have as a client, if you believe you have some tasks where I might help you,
As a start, it would be useful for me to get some idea of what you have been saying to analysts for the past year. Please send me a copy of as much of the following material as you have available:
- A draft of your annual report text (in whatever shape it's in now)
- Any interim reports issued since you went public
- All press releases post IPO
- A copy of the slides used on the road show (and any subsequent presentations if the slides were different from the road show)
- All analyst reports or comments about Pillowtex
In the meanwhile, please call me with any questions you might have. You ask good questions and I love a challenge!
Sincerely,
Larry Frantz
"I Don't-Want-the-Job" Thank-You Notes
It's often appropriate to decline a position, even before it's offered. If you're sure you don't want an offer in the short or long term, or have decided to accept another position, tell your interviewer as soon as possible. He'll appreciate your candor and concern for his time, which otherwise would have been wasted in the futile pursuit of a disinterested candidate. Of course, because you never know when your paths may cross again, it's a good idea to treat him with the kindness and respect you'd want if you were being rejected.
Perhaps you've heard of "the sandwich formula," often used by managers, colleagues, friends and relatives who have bad news or need to offer constructive criticism. The premise behind this approach is: A piece of bad news sandwiched between two bits of good news is a lot easier to take than the bad news alone.
What kind of good news can you use to maintain a friendly relationship with a potential employer? Consider the following possibilities;
The people working for/with him are fortunate to have a manager who's both an expert in his field and a dedicated mentor.
His company's commitment to high-quality products, customer service, employees, innovation or community involvement is truly exceptional.
His staff's camaraderie is a model for productive team work.
His dedication to the bottom line never sacrifices his company's mission.
If these don't fit, mention other admirable attributes. Just think about what you most respect about your interviewer and her organization, and then use it as the bread in your "I-don't-want-this-job" sandwich.
I' Don't-Want-t the-Job Note
Jean Silvennan
800 East Colony Drive
Carrollton, TX 75006
214-306-8823
March 20,199X
Imprimis
Attn: Valerie Freeman
President
5550 LBJ Freeway, Suite 15, LB52
Dallas, Texas 75240
Dear Ms. Freeman:
Thank you for making time yesterday to meet with me concerning the ACE Director position I can appreciate the busy schedule that you must have and feel fortunate to have had your quality time to discuss this position with you.
I am very impressed with what I know of Imprimis and feel it is a first-class operation. However, another opportunity has come to fruition and I have accepted it.
The staff that I met over the past few weeks has been extremely proud and happy to be working with WORDTEMPS. That is an excellent sign of dedicated management.
Thank you again for allowing me to meet with you.
Sincerely,
Jean Silverman
cc: Anita Marina
