I interviewed with a company on Thursday, received an offer on Friday, and declined the offer today. I've never sent one of these before, but seeing as the company did make me an offer I feel almost compelled to do so. What are your thoughts on thank-you letters?

1/7/2008 1:33:56 PM

do it

a good way to decline without burning bridges

1/7/2008 1:50:04 PM

It is a good idea and it may also get you a higher offer if they really want you.

1/7/2008 2:08:44 PM

You can never send too many thank you notes/letters

1/7/2008 2:25:21 PM

hand written is the way to go btw

1/15/2008 10:23:12 PM

In theory I'd say email to be prompt about things (next day just so you have some time to think about how it went and see if there's anything meaningful you have to say aside from thanks).

I say in theory because I've never really had enough time to send a thank you between interview and offer so I just thank over the phone.

People really don't follow up so I don't think the handwritten note stands out at all - matter of fact when I get them I toss them, but I always respond to somebody who sends a thank you via email - that's the big opportunity I see with doing it that way - nobody is going to write you back pen pal style (or I doubt take the initiative to send you an email from a note).

Of course every call I go on now is pretty much an interview for a new client so I tell them I will email over a recap of our meeting, an action plan, and of course I always thank them for their business or the shot at it. Consistent and through follow up is the #1 reason I get for bringing in new clients.

Oh and if you do write it out, type, spell check and transcribe so you don't make a mistake like hand written ^ because it's not the internet and it counts.

[Edited on January 16, 2008 at 2:45 AM. Reason : more sage advice]

1/16/2008 2:40:27 AM

I know someone who got a job offer he wouldn't have otherwise received solely because of a hand written thank you letter. And it was a very sweet job at that. The particular division he interviewed for was approved to hire 50 people and they bumped the number up to 51 just to accommodate him.

1/16/2008 2:51:43 AM

i sent my via email, he replied and forwarded it to his boss. I got the job.

[Edited on January 19, 2008 at 7:06 PM. Reason : k]

1/19/2008 7:05:56 PM

In response to the original question, DO IT. Reason I say is because I did the exact same thing, got an offer but didn't take it because I thought I would like another job more. Turns out the other job wasn't what I thought it was a couple days in, I called the other place and they offered it to me again.

1/22/2008 3:52:10 PM

hahahahahaha, I just realixed this thread was over 2 weeks old.

1/22/2008 3:52:45 PM

For future reference, here are some sample letters:

http://www.ncsu.edu/career/students/resumesletters/sample2.php

1/23/2008 3:19:02 AM

Do companies actually like to get thank-you letters? I mean, I'll at least thank them for their time and for giving me an opportunity, at the end of the interview. But do I need to actually send them a letter doing the same thing as well? How does it reflect on you if you don't do it?

1/24/2008 11:25:00 PM

If everyone else is doing it, you don't be the one guy who doesn't do it. If you are the only one who does it, great

1/25/2008 12:37:01 AM

handwritten only... it's very proper to send a thank you note. if the person i interview does not say thank you in some way, via email or snail mail, i cut them. even if they're perfect for the job. it shows that you're really appreciative for their time.

1/26/2008 3:45:32 PM

On the other hand, you don't want to work for someone who is this^ terrible at decision making. Anyone who is petty enough to turn down the perfect candidate over some petty shit is going to be a terrible coworker/boss.

1/26/2008 4:41:19 PM

No kidding.

I don't really think my company gives a shit either way. You might get an "oh, that was nice" but we're more interested in your qualifications.

1/27/2008 7:49:21 PM

I can see it as a tie breaker, but I'd just as soon flip a coin or pick the cuter female.

1/28/2008 1:17:21 AM

Quote :

"On the other hand, you don't want to work for someone who is this^ terrible at decision making. Anyone who is petty enough to turn down the perfect candidate over some petty shit is going to be a terrible coworker/boss."

1/28/2008 8:55:17 AM

A guy who got hired into our Reactor Engineering group sent in a handwritten thank you note on a card with a sunflower on the front. Seeing as how they are all a little tweeked in the head they let him in and now his nickname is "Sunflower"

2/5/2008 5:15:11 AM