Thanks for Giving Me the Opportunity (to interview)

The leaves are falling, pumpkin spice flavors are everywhere and people are planning their holiday menus. You know what this means: Thanksgiving is right around the corner! Like you, I am looking forward to a break and the opportunity to connect with friends and family over a good meal. As I reflect on this past year, I am thankful to be working here at Hofstra and that you are reading this blog post. What are you thankful for?

Around this time last year I was finishing up interviewing for my current position and navigating how to return to work with a three-month old baby at home (and throwing in starting a new job!) As I left campus last fall, the gratitude was pouring out of me. On my drive home I was already thinking about what to write in my thank you emails to the people I met that day. 

At this point in this blog post you are probably thinking “Thank you notes after an interview? What is this lady talking about?” In the past few weeks the topic of post-interview thank you notes has come up quite often in the Career Center. One such example: after participating in our Escape the Career Center contest where a clue referred to thank you notes after an interview, a student told me that “I didn’t know you were supposed to write a thank you note after an interview.” 

Yes, you are supposed to write a thank you note after an interview. Why, you ask? Let’s check in with another Liz, Forbes contributor Liz Ryan, and two short articles with some great, quick videos on the importance of writing thank you notes and how to make yours stand out.

After the Interview – Send the Perfect Thank you note

How to Write the Perfect Post Interview Thank you note

Sending a thank you note should not only be after an interview - write one any time you connect with a professional in an industry or job of interest. Examples include: after a career fair, networking event or professional panel. Networking and building connections is the #1 way to get a job or internship. Make sure you are remembered by following up, and do so in a prompt manner (within 24 hours). 

Hopefully after reading this you are ‘thankful’ for these tips on showing your gratitude to a prospective employer or networking connection by writing a thank you note. You don’t want to be the favorite candidate, but the one who didn’t follow-up. Thanks for reading!

Liz Sposato, Senior Associate Director of Career Development and Assessment