How to say thanks
May 27, 2013 8:18 PM Subscribe
I had a job interview on Friday for a position I'm very excited about. I got the interview after speaking to a woman from this company at a job fair, who passed along my resume and promised to put in a good word for me since my advisor (who knows her professionally) spoke to her and vouched for me after I mentioned meeting her at the fair. I want to send her a thank you email but I could use some assistance on the details.
I freeze up and never know quite what to say in letters like this, so I'm not sure what to put into the letter in addition to letting her know that the interview happened and that I'm grateful for the opportunity to interview at a company that I would love to work for. If this particular job falls through I would definitely like it if she would consider passing along my resume again if other similar positions are open in the future, although I don't know if it would be appropriate to allude to that when I still have a week before I hear whether I've been selected for a second interview.
My anxiety is getting the best of me in this situation, I've spent so much time agonizing over what to say that I'm worried I've already waited too long to contact her and I want to get an email out to her ASAP. Any tips on what would be appropriate to say would be greatly appreciated.
I freeze up and never know quite what to say in letters like this, so I'm not sure what to put into the letter in addition to letting her know that the interview happened and that I'm grateful for the opportunity to interview at a company that I would love to work for. If this particular job falls through I would definitely like it if she would consider passing along my resume again if other similar positions are open in the future, although I don't know if it would be appropriate to allude to that when I still have a week before I hear whether I've been selected for a second interview.
My anxiety is getting the best of me in this situation, I've spent so much time agonizing over what to say that I'm worried I've already waited too long to contact her and I want to get an email out to her ASAP. Any tips on what would be appropriate to say would be greatly appreciated.
I'm not sure I understand the order of events here. What I think happened is:
Representatives at career fairs are there to solicit applications. They're not there as a personal favor to applicants, so nothing except a cursory "it was great meeting you, I'm super-exited about opportunities with your company" is expected or needed.
Representatives forward some or all of the resumes they collect to their hiring authority. Again, that is not a favor to applicants. Companies are actively looking for good employees.
And the best applicants (for some value of "best") get invited to interviews: again, unless there's some weird nepotism happening here, there is nothing beyond an obligatory, short note of thanks you can send that will affect the outcome one way or another.
The only point at which an actual exchange of social capital occurred was (3), in which your advisor vouched for you. If you are an embarrassingly sucky applicant, this will be a black eye for your advisor. But again, it was your advisor putting credibility on the line: the best way to repay the favor is don't be a sucky applicant. Justify the trust that your advisor put in you.
Personally, I would consider it a bit of a faux pas to write, acknowledging the favor your advisor did for you. First, because favors in professional circles are considered a kind of social grace, invisible and unspoken of. To acknowledge them is kind of gauche. Second, because it was a minor favor: your advisor probably does trust you not to be an embarrassment, so the risk of social fallout to your advisor is relatively minor.
So, if anything, I would just send an obligatory thank-you note to the company rep ("Thank you for putting me in touch with [your interviewer]. I had a very positive interview experience, and look forward to hearing back from [company].") I would also, possibly, send a note to the interviewer. I've heard from many people who consider these notes old-fashioned and cloying, so best to keep it short and inoffensive: "It was a pleasure speaking with you today about [position]. Please don't hesitate to be in touch if you need additional information."
And I would look at it as a matter of courtesy to remain in touch with your advisor. I hear that people appreciate it when their students maintain a professional relationship with their teachers and mentors. Mentors and advisors help students. That's their role. Try not to turn this dynamic into an overt tit-for-tat: you don't really owe your advisor or the company rep anything more than simply going on being your ordinary, professional, courteous self.
posted by Nomyte at 8:51 PM on May 27, 2013
- You spoke with a company representative at a job fair.
- You spoke to your advisor about meeting the company representative at the job fair.
- Your advisor contacted the company representative, who happens to be a professional contact of your advisor's.
- The company representative forwarded your information to the personnel people at her company.
- You were invited for an interview.
Representatives at career fairs are there to solicit applications. They're not there as a personal favor to applicants, so nothing except a cursory "it was great meeting you, I'm super-exited about opportunities with your company" is expected or needed.
Representatives forward some or all of the resumes they collect to their hiring authority. Again, that is not a favor to applicants. Companies are actively looking for good employees.
And the best applicants (for some value of "best") get invited to interviews: again, unless there's some weird nepotism happening here, there is nothing beyond an obligatory, short note of thanks you can send that will affect the outcome one way or another.
The only point at which an actual exchange of social capital occurred was (3), in which your advisor vouched for you. If you are an embarrassingly sucky applicant, this will be a black eye for your advisor. But again, it was your advisor putting credibility on the line: the best way to repay the favor is don't be a sucky applicant. Justify the trust that your advisor put in you.
Personally, I would consider it a bit of a faux pas to write, acknowledging the favor your advisor did for you. First, because favors in professional circles are considered a kind of social grace, invisible and unspoken of. To acknowledge them is kind of gauche. Second, because it was a minor favor: your advisor probably does trust you not to be an embarrassment, so the risk of social fallout to your advisor is relatively minor.
So, if anything, I would just send an obligatory thank-you note to the company rep ("Thank you for putting me in touch with [your interviewer]. I had a very positive interview experience, and look forward to hearing back from [company].") I would also, possibly, send a note to the interviewer. I've heard from many people who consider these notes old-fashioned and cloying, so best to keep it short and inoffensive: "It was a pleasure speaking with you today about [position]. Please don't hesitate to be in touch if you need additional information."
And I would look at it as a matter of courtesy to remain in touch with your advisor. I hear that people appreciate it when their students maintain a professional relationship with their teachers and mentors. Mentors and advisors help students. That's their role. Try not to turn this dynamic into an overt tit-for-tat: you don't really owe your advisor or the company rep anything more than simply going on being your ordinary, professional, courteous self.
posted by Nomyte at 8:51 PM on May 27, 2013
Response by poster: I left out a few details for the sake of keeping things short, but since it may be helpful to know:
About a week ago my advisor asked me to call the rep right away since the rep had told her that she had just passed along my resume. I called up company rep, who spent about 10 minutes on the phone with me talking about the agency and the specific position. She mentioned that they love to hire people who come recommended, and that she would email the person I was interviewing with to let her know.
I want to thank her since she did more than just pass along my resume and and so that she'll keep me in mind for future openings just in case the current position doesn't pan out. I know it may be a little on the excessive side but having just graduated with a masters along with tons of other people who are all applying for the same types of jobs that I am, I am incredibly grateful to get this "in", especially at a company I would love to work for. I am also pretty lousy at networking so since this is one of my first successful attempts, I am not sure of the etiquette of sending the letter.
I have already sent a thank you email to the person I interviewed with.
posted by fox problems at 9:48 PM on May 27, 2013
About a week ago my advisor asked me to call the rep right away since the rep had told her that she had just passed along my resume. I called up company rep, who spent about 10 minutes on the phone with me talking about the agency and the specific position. She mentioned that they love to hire people who come recommended, and that she would email the person I was interviewing with to let her know.
I want to thank her since she did more than just pass along my resume and and so that she'll keep me in mind for future openings just in case the current position doesn't pan out. I know it may be a little on the excessive side but having just graduated with a masters along with tons of other people who are all applying for the same types of jobs that I am, I am incredibly grateful to get this "in", especially at a company I would love to work for. I am also pretty lousy at networking so since this is one of my first successful attempts, I am not sure of the etiquette of sending the letter.
I have already sent a thank you email to the person I interviewed with.
posted by fox problems at 9:48 PM on May 27, 2013
Yes a short simple email thank you will suffice. If you get the job mebbe follow it up with a gift fruit basket or whatever is appropriate in your culture. Networks are worth nurturing.
posted by BenPens at 3:51 AM on May 28, 2013
posted by BenPens at 3:51 AM on May 28, 2013
Yup, Xingcat has it. A short email, expressing thanks. Another option is to wait until after the interview, and let her know how it went, along with your thanks.
Dear Job Fair Contact,
Today I interviewed with Hiring Manager. I really enjoyed meeting her and the job sounds great. Thank you so much for helping me secure the interview.
Regards,
Fox
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 6:56 AM on May 28, 2013
Dear Job Fair Contact,
Today I interviewed with Hiring Manager. I really enjoyed meeting her and the job sounds great. Thank you so much for helping me secure the interview.
Regards,
Fox
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 6:56 AM on May 28, 2013
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I wanted to take a moment to thank you for passing along my resume for X position at XYZ Company. I recently interviewed for the position, and I'm very excited about the opportunity. I appreciate the work you did in securing this interview.
Thank you very much,
fox problems
Short and sweet is usually just fine. I've been told many, many times that most candidates don't even bother with thank-you notes, so you're ahead of the game in sending the email. Good luck!
posted by xingcat at 8:31 PM on May 27, 2013 [2 favorites]