Template for a Thank You Letter Following an Interview

Thanks for the interview!
Follow-up every interview with a thank you letter.  Send thank you's following initial phone screens, first-level phone interviews, video interviews, and in-person interviews.  No exceptions!    

Your thank you letter is not a dissertation.  What it is is one last opportunity to state  --  and sell  --  your capabilities and qualifications in order to show why you should move to the next step in the interview process (in the early stages of the interview process), or the reason why you should get the job (in the final stages).

Your letter should be fairly short, rarely over one page.  Generally, use a more formal format in letters following up interviews.  Use your letter to succinctly but convincingly illustrate your value.

Follow these steps to an effective Thank You letter:

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~  

Step 1:  Brand it

Full name (as it appears on business card)                                         e-mail address
Profession -  use generic title                                                                   Phone
Physical address:  optional                                                                       Linked In Address
Website address: optional
Note:  This is your Brand; use the same header as it appears on your resume.

Step 2:  List date of writing, and name and content of the recipient

Date

Name (first, middle initial if known, last (check and double check spelling)

Title

Company name (check and double check spelling)

Address

City, State, Zip

Recipient's e-mail address and phone - optional

Step 3:  Include a salutation

Dear Mr. Jones, or Dear Ms. Smith:  (This is the salutation.)

Step 4:  Paragraph 1. Thank the recipient of the letter

Start off by thanking the interviewer, and being specific about what you are thanking them for.  Phrases such as "I appreciated the opportunity to have interviewed . . . ." or "Thank you for the interview" are appropriate beginnings.  State the date of the interview and title of the position you interviewed for.  Recall a memorable moment or item discussed, personalizing each letter with something special that occurred during the interview.

Step 5:  Paragraph 2-3.  Sell yourself in 1-2 paragraphs (3 max)

Use this paragraph to remind the interviewer of just how well you meet, or even exceed, the requirements of the position.  In other words, SELL!  Discuss the job's requirements, focusing on those you discussed with this person that you learned are high priority.  Remind the interviewer of just how well you meet them.  Be specific.

For each requirement you list, recall from your discussion (or take this as an opportunity to reveal a new accomplishment/selling point) a specific example of you having performed that type of work, with results.

You can do this in paragraph form, or use a list to state requirements and your accomplishments.  Either way, state that you meet the requirements, noting that you are experienced in performing the work and have accomplishments to prove it.  Then discuss, or list, your accomplishments (work + results).  Introduce your list of accomplishments/qualifications as illustrated below by stating:

"You noted that ___________ would be a primary focus for the new program manager.  I have extensive experience doing _____________, as illustrated by:
      ●    Example/Accomplishment  (Note:  State requirement + action you took and outcome
      ●    Example/Accomplishment
      ●    Example/Accomplishment          
    

Step 6:  Paragraph 4:  Close the sale. 

Conclude that as you provided benefit and value for previous employers, you know can do the same for this employer.  State that you would like the opportunity to join this employer/ become a member of the team or this division.  Note that you await their decision*, but will also follow-up (state the date).

 Step 7:  Sign off formally

Sincerely yours,  Sincerely, or Best regards

written signature

Full name typed*

 Step 8:  Sign off formally

Enclosure:  Resume, Reference List
ENC:  Resume, Bio, Work sample 

*  Option:  Include your contact information: phone number and e-mail address underneath your typed name or in the concluding paragraph.

For additional information on marketing yourself and your capabilities, please refer to the many articles found under the Articles tabs of the AJC–Career Strategy website, including: "Thank You Letters - Why Send Them and to Whom?" Sept 5, 2013. ____________________________________________________________________________

nancy@ajcglobal.com              www.ajcglobal.com             AJC - for Your Career Path

  Linked In:  www.linkedin.com/pub/nancy-c-gober/6/14b/965        

Twitter:  @AfterJobClub

Conduct Every Conversation as if You're Interviewing

Treat every conversation like it's an interview!

Question:  When does interviewing begin?  

Answer:  Any time you open your mouth and begin talking  --   if you are looking for a job!

Many job seekers believe they are only interviewing when they are sitting across from a hiring manager or HR recruiters.  Not true.

When you are looking for a job, any time you talk to anyone, you are interviewing.  It's that simple.
Why?  
Because you never know where a conversation will lead.  

You never know who the person you are talking to knows or what they know. Sometime, you don't even know who they are!  Happens all the time:

(1)  The person you casually talk with each morning at your bus stop is actually the head of Human Resources at the company that has continuously ignored your calls and e-mails.

(2)  The elderly neighbor who always smiles and says hello is the mother of the VP of the bank you want to work for.

(3)  The network referral whom you hurriedly and half-heartedly prepared to meet over a coffee is in fact golf buddies with the director of research of one of your target firms.  Depending on how you impress, it is his choice whether he will be moved to make a referral!  You get the idea!  So, . . . .

Consider every interaction during your search an interview.  Be prepared with business cards in hand, "L"vator speech in mind, and best foot put forward as you:
-  Network
-  Attend association meetings
-  Attend your job seekers' support group
-  Send an e-mail
-  Drink coffee and eat doughnuts after your religious service
-  Cheer on your child's little league team
-  Participate in your neighborhood homeowners' association  . . . . . You get the idea.

When you are interviewing, and you're always interviewing when searching for a new job, follow these tips:
●  Change your way of thinking

1. Develop an interviewing mindset, realizing anywhere you go, anyone you meet, is a potential lead to a new job or role.
2. Develop a sales mindset, realizing when you are job seeking, you are in sales, selling your abilities as potential solutions for a prospective employer's needs.

●  Be specific about the type of work you want to do, and have a good reason why.  Until you can clearly convey the job type you want to do, you are not ready.

●  Let your "L"vator speech roll off your tongue as easily as saying your name.

1. Get comfortable delivering your "L"vator speech - short, mid-, and detailed-version, depending on who you are talking to.

●  Schedule 2 networking meetings a day, treating them as the interviews they are.  Then, use a portion of the rest of your day to pursue more meetings.  The majority of positions always have, and always will, come through networking.

●   Stay in touch.  Get back to people you meet briefly, or in-depth, with both thank you's and information updates on your progress and the role they played in your progression.

●   Ask for referrals.  This keeps your network growing and with it the potential to find leads to your next opportunity.

During your job search, to use a fencing term, be en garde!  Hone the message you want to deliver as you talk to and with people.  And, remember,

If You're Talking . . . . . You're Interviewing!

For additional information on marketing yourself and your capabilities, please refer to the many articles found under the Articles tab of the AJC–Career Strategy website.
 ____________________________________________________________________________

nancy@ajcglobal.com              www.ajcglobal.com             AJC - for Your Career Path

  Linked In:  www.linkedin.com/pub/nancy-c-gober/6/14b/965        

Twitter:  @AfterJobClub

Rev Up Your Search . . . . . to Find a Job this Fall

Have you been on the market for a while, searching for a position since summer, spring, or since 2013 began?  Even before that?

Fall is here.  It's a good time to . . . . . Rev up your search!

Fall . . . .  Following the passing of Labor Day, job seekers get serious about finding a new job before the year is over. . . . . .  Why?
Because, companies and organizations also get serious about hiring. 

Traditionally, and historically, hiring picks up its pace during the period between September 1 and December 31.  It's a time when companies staff up to meet their needs for completion of current work as well as anticipated requirements for the coming calendar year.

A window of opportunity

 This September-through-December timeframe presents job seekers with a window of opportunity.  So, if you have been on the market for a while, take advantage of this window of opportunity.  Time is of the essence.

Your advantage
As you step up your search, you may find you have a lot of company as new job seekers, also aware of this window of opportunity, enter the employment market looking for their own new job.  However, you have a distinct advantage over the "newbees."

As you know, it takes time to put together a job search.  It requires time to plan, to write your resume, produce your other marketing tools, get comfortable delivering your "L"vator speech, tap into your network and get the word out that you are entering the employment market, looking for a new opportunity.  You, having been out there for awhile, have all or most of these things in place, whereas the newbees are just getting started and it will take them some time.  

So, use this time, and this fall, to your advantage.  Take a little time to re-group and utilize the steps below to rev up your search!  Here's how:

1.  Re-set - your targeted goal for the type of job you want.
2.  Re-group - Review your marketing materials - Resume is at the top of the list.  Make sure it is updated and  revised.
3.  Redevelop - your “L”vator speech in concert with your goal.
4.  Review - your networking contacts list.  Set 2 networking meetings a day.
4.  Remove - any negativity from your “L” speech, resume, marketing materials, and networking.
5.  Renew - your energy.

Since fall is the season in which companies and organizations get serious and step up their hiring, it is a good time for you to step-up your job seeking. 
For additional information on marketing yourself and your capabilities, please refer to the many articles found under the Articles tabs of the AJC–Career Strategy website.
 ____________________________________________________________________________

nancy@ajcglobal.com              www.ajcglobal.com             AJC - for Your Career Path

  Linked In:  www.linkedin.com/pub/nancy-c-gober/6/14b/965        

Twitter:  @AfterJobClub

Has Your Job Search Gone Nowhere? 6 Steps to Re-Focus and Get Back on Track

Has your job search gone nowhere?
     Submitting lots of applications, sent lots of resumes, but no interviews?
         Feeling discouraged and beaten up by a non-productive search?
               Confused and bewildered about what to do now? 
                     Have months gone by? 

If you are one of thousands of people who set a goal, way back in January, that this was the year that you were going to get a new job, you have a lot of company.  If you were laid off months ago and find yourself floundering in a job search that yielded few or no real opportunities for employment, you are not alone. Thousands, if not millions, of job seekers have experienced the exact same things as you over the past few years since the financial debacle of 2008.  

The past few years have presented job seekers with the worst employment market we have seen since the Great Depression.  It has been a difficult time for job seekers  -  it's truly been a buyers' market. 

For job seekers, setting out with a goal of finding a job, and not meeting it, especially if they have been achievers in the past, is tough.  As time goes by, they found themselves discouraged, deflated, and even defeated.  Some, whether they openly acknowledge it or not, just gave up.  

Yet, a lot of people did find jobs --  including clients I have worked with over the course of the past few years who had also been searching for quite some time.  Some are landing new positions right now.  If you would like to join them, here are some things to recognize, think about, and do to achieve your goal:

A good time to step-up your job search  
Fall is a good time to re-invigorate your search.  Since fall is the season in which companies and organizations get serious and step up their hiring, it is a good time for you to step-up your job seeking.  Whether you have been on the market for a while, or just thinking about a new job for a long time, take advantage of this window of opportunity.

Here’s how to get back into the job search game in a way that helps you move forward.
1.   Re-set - your targeted goal for the type of job you want.  What have you learned during your search and how does this alter the type of job you are really looking for?

2.  Re-group - Review your marketing materials - Resume is at the top of the list.  Make sure it is updated, revised, and includes any new skills you’ve developed, and any work you’ve done during this time - volunteer, contract, temporary.  Add both to the Professional Experience section of your resume, with current dates. 

3.  Redevelop - your “L”vator speech in concert with your goal.

4.  Review - your networking contacts list. Spend your time where it counts.  Set 2 networking meetings a day, and reach out to 6 contacts a day (in order to set those 2 meetings).

     Networking is the key!  Over 80% - and I personally believe it’s over 90% - of jobs come through the hidden market. Clients I have worked with turned their job search around by networking and are employed today.  1000's of on-line applications do not - can not - make up for networking.
If you are uncomfortable with networking, and avoid it, learn how to network, and do the following:  force yourself to call up contacts and request meetings, ask for and contact referrals, attend mixer-type events and stand there and talk to people - business cards in hand, attend job fairs, take names of recruiters and company personnel and get back in touch, attend job fairs and get the names of fellow job seekers and form groups to meet and talk, join skills and technology upgrade groups of your fellow job seekers and attend, join networking groups, come prepared with your week's progress report, and attend, apply for positions and then find contacts to who can provide "intelligence" on the company, submit a more relevant resume from the intelligence you've obtained, and find a contact (from your external network and using social media) who can "put in a good word" for you.  

5.  Remove - any negativity from your “L” speech, resume, marketing materials, and networking.

6.  Renew - your energy, by whatever method rejuvenates you:  exercise, a morning appointment with yourself at your local coffee shop for a coffee that gets you out of the house and connected to people, volunteering, taking a class, teaching a class, etc.

With a re-focused approach, set off on your search with renewed energy and clarity.  Step up your networking.  View your job-search-workday as not complete without daily networking.  Work at it likes it's your real job.  That, and a little luck, will help you achieve your goal of finding your new position.
For additional information on marketing yourself and your capabilities, please refer to the many articles found under the Articles tabs of the AJC–Career Strategy website.
 ____________________________________________________________________________

nancy@ajcglobal.com              www.ajcglobal.com             AJC - for Your Career Path

  Linked In:  www.linkedin.com/pub/nancy-c-gober/6/14b/965        

Twitter:  @AfterJobClub

Thank You Letters - Why Send Them and to Whom?

Thank You Letters  – Send thank you letters to everyone who assists you in your search.
     I repeat . . . . EVERYONE!  

Thank you letters should ALWAYS be sent following any helpful interaction, including interviews.  Use a formal format, if you are sending a typed standard letter, or a less formal format for an e-mail or a hand-written note-card.

Your letter shows you to be not only appreciative, but gives you an opportunity to maintain high visibility and to sell yourself, and your capabilities, one more time.

Send thank you letters to:
        1.  Interviewers - 
Send a separate and slightly different letter to each individual interviewer.
        2.  Network contacts -
Thank your network for any advice, tips, leads, introductions, and information they offer to you.  Following a networking meeting (in which, of course, you bought, or at least offered to buy, the coffee) send a more detailed thank you stating appreciation for the meeting, for the advice and suggestions offered, and anything else you found particularly helpful.  
        3.  Referrals –
Thank any person to whom you are referred, following any interaction you have with them from a helpful e-mail to phone conversation to in-person meeting.
        4.  Rejections -
Follow-up a rejection with a thank you letter.  Sounds strange doesn't it . . . . . to send a letter of thanks to an interviewer who rejects you!?  However, thanking the members of the interview team who rejected you does more than show you to be a good sport!  It allows you to re-state both your interest in the firm that selected another candidate for the position, as well as your qualifications.  Why?  In case the candidate who was hired doesn't work out, you have made yourself visible as a candidate who can fill the position and is ready to go!

    In short, send a Thank You to anyone and everyone who helps you in your effort to find a new position!

For additional information on marketing yourself and your capabilities, please refer to the many articles found under the Articles tabs of the AJC–Career Strategy website.
 ____________________________________________________________________________

nancy@ajcglobal.com              www.ajcglobal.com             AJC - for Your Career Path

  Linked In:  www.linkedin.com/pub/nancy-c-gober/6/14b/965        

Twitter:  @AfterJobClub