You know I actually do this in my head when I am not interviewing
June 29, 2010 6:30 PM Subscribe
Metafilter: Would you help me write this thank you letter? More details inside.
I went to a job interview today in which I had to meet with five different interviewers. I did excellent on the first two interviews and had a great time with the members of senior management that I met during the morning, however when it was the turn to speak to the hiring manager (probably the most important interview) things went downhill a bit.
For some reason or another I wasn't able to answer the first two questions he asked me. He gave me a couple of mathematical problems (which oddly enough I love doing on my spare time) and between being nervous and shocked at the request (the only time I do actual math in my job is when I write excel formulas) I just wasn't able to answer the questions without the hints and tips he eventually provided.
After somehow getting through that portion of the interview and started talking about what I do and how it relates to the position (I am more than qualified) I started doing extremely well. In my opinion I would be a terrific fit for it. Please note that the position (as advertised) would not require math outside of doing calculations on excel/access so once again not sure how important those two questions were.
I am pretty sure this was the only stumbling block of the day (and after a total of 6 hours of interviewing worth of interviewing hopefully this is more than ok). But I am not sure what to do when it comes to writing my "Thank you Email" to the hiring manager: Should I adress the mishap somehow? Should I disregard it altogether and re-state my qualifications? Mefi please give me your thoughts.
I went to a job interview today in which I had to meet with five different interviewers. I did excellent on the first two interviews and had a great time with the members of senior management that I met during the morning, however when it was the turn to speak to the hiring manager (probably the most important interview) things went downhill a bit.
For some reason or another I wasn't able to answer the first two questions he asked me. He gave me a couple of mathematical problems (which oddly enough I love doing on my spare time) and between being nervous and shocked at the request (the only time I do actual math in my job is when I write excel formulas) I just wasn't able to answer the questions without the hints and tips he eventually provided.
After somehow getting through that portion of the interview and started talking about what I do and how it relates to the position (I am more than qualified) I started doing extremely well. In my opinion I would be a terrific fit for it. Please note that the position (as advertised) would not require math outside of doing calculations on excel/access so once again not sure how important those two questions were.
I am pretty sure this was the only stumbling block of the day (and after a total of 6 hours of interviewing worth of interviewing hopefully this is more than ok). But I am not sure what to do when it comes to writing my "Thank you Email" to the hiring manager: Should I adress the mishap somehow? Should I disregard it altogether and re-state my qualifications? Mefi please give me your thoughts.
No need to remind him of the negatives. Focus on the positives.
posted by alligatorman at 6:56 PM on June 29, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by alligatorman at 6:56 PM on June 29, 2010 [2 favorites]
If the question isn't relevant to the job aside from your ability to think on the spot in the interview, you can't redeem your performance by answering the questions in a letter after-the-fact. Also, trying to correct or supplement answers from the interview is always risky since it's possible your answer didn't make much of an impression and you'd just be reminding them of a negative point from the interview. So, considering that you're the one who's experiencing all this first-hand and you don't believe they were interested in your mathematical ability as an actual qualification, I would not mention it.
posted by Jaltcoh at 7:42 PM on June 29, 2010
posted by Jaltcoh at 7:42 PM on June 29, 2010
I would avoid reminding the interviewer of any moments in the interview that you perceived as negative. It's possible that he didn't think of it with the same immensity that you did (we all have a habit of over thinking things while under pressure/stress).
So, just write a normal, respectful letter like you usually do.
Good luck!
posted by joyeuxamelie at 9:11 PM on June 29, 2010
So, just write a normal, respectful letter like you usually do.
Good luck!
posted by joyeuxamelie at 9:11 PM on June 29, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by phunniemee at 6:55 PM on June 29, 2010