Dear All,
Recently I come across an interesting thought of someone who thinks that sending a thank you note to the employer after giving an interview is important for making a positive impression which in turn increases the chance of getting hired.
How do you perceive this?
According to me a thank you note after an interview may show interest of the employee in that position or organization. However such gestures cannot influence selection decision. But does it make any value addition?
Please share your thoughts.
Good Day!
Poulomi Paul
From India, Bangalore
1Recently I come across an interesting thought of someone who thinks that sending a thank you note to the employer after giving an interview is important for making a positive impression which in turn increases the chance of getting hired.
How do you perceive this?
According to me a thank you note after an interview may show interest of the employee in that position or organization. However such gestures cannot influence selection decision. But does it make any value addition?
Please share your thoughts.
Good Day!
Poulomi Paul
From India, Bangalore
Yes, since sending a 'thank yo letter' by a candidate is yet to become part of hiring culture in our country, it may be mistaken for canvassing his candidature. However it all depends up on the culture and mindset of the hiring team. My personal view is there is nothing wrong in sending a very brief worded 'thank you' letter for giving an opportunity to appear for interview which does not use any language suggestive of canvassing his candidature. Of course,it is any body's knowledge that such letters will not influence selections.
B.Saikumar
From India, Mumbai
B.Saikumar
From India, Mumbai
B.Saikumar: Appreciate your response. Rightly put about about individual preferences and organisation culture. Thanks Poulomi
From India, Bangalore
From India, Bangalore
Dear Poulomi,
Nothing wrong in sending a thank you note for giving chance to attend the interview. Job interview is generally last step or penultimate step toward the selection. However, perfunctoriness of the note will kill spirit behind it. Therefore, the candidate who have mastered art of business writing will certainly have an edge. Please note I have used the word art intentionally, and I have not used the word skill.
'Thank you note' could be used as an opportunity to showcase one's mastery over writing. While refraining from bombasticness, candidate may project the learning caused out of interview and a chance that was given to give replies to the professional questions. Candidate may clarify that disagreements during the interview, if any, were professional in nature.
The Flip Side: - Let us not assume that everyone would be appreciative of the beautifully worded thank you note. What if the interviewer himself/herself is weak in the business writing? Far from appreciating candidate's ability, he/she may frown at candidate's overtness. Though chances are remote, possibility of negative impact of such letter cannot be ruled out!
Thanks,
Dinesh Divekar
From India, Bangalore
Nothing wrong in sending a thank you note for giving chance to attend the interview. Job interview is generally last step or penultimate step toward the selection. However, perfunctoriness of the note will kill spirit behind it. Therefore, the candidate who have mastered art of business writing will certainly have an edge. Please note I have used the word art intentionally, and I have not used the word skill.
'Thank you note' could be used as an opportunity to showcase one's mastery over writing. While refraining from bombasticness, candidate may project the learning caused out of interview and a chance that was given to give replies to the professional questions. Candidate may clarify that disagreements during the interview, if any, were professional in nature.
The Flip Side: - Let us not assume that everyone would be appreciative of the beautifully worded thank you note. What if the interviewer himself/herself is weak in the business writing? Far from appreciating candidate's ability, he/she may frown at candidate's overtness. Though chances are remote, possibility of negative impact of such letter cannot be ruled out!
Thanks,
Dinesh Divekar
From India, Bangalore
Dear Mr Dinesh,
How beautifully explained! Thank you for your valuable insight.
In this light another relevant subject comes up. After an interview we often hear ‘we will get back to you shortly’. But in occasions we don’t get updates or feedback in a long time. So we follow up through mails. And many times we don’t get a response at all.
May be telephonic discussions are more direct and fruitful. But even then we hear ‘we will let you know in a few days’ which prolongs to a month and even more. As a consequence an employee misses a good opportunity (especially fresher) and the employer loses a good resource.
I mean there can be various reasons for delays in closing a position. Such as pending reference check, pending budget approval from management etc, however is it not like HR should be more proactive in sharing feedback as an employee touch point?
When there are organisations which ensures time to time follow ups till the position is closed. Unfortunately there are exceptions too.
Thanks
Poulomi
HR Generalist
From India, Bangalore
How beautifully explained! Thank you for your valuable insight.
In this light another relevant subject comes up. After an interview we often hear ‘we will get back to you shortly’. But in occasions we don’t get updates or feedback in a long time. So we follow up through mails. And many times we don’t get a response at all.
May be telephonic discussions are more direct and fruitful. But even then we hear ‘we will let you know in a few days’ which prolongs to a month and even more. As a consequence an employee misses a good opportunity (especially fresher) and the employer loses a good resource.
I mean there can be various reasons for delays in closing a position. Such as pending reference check, pending budget approval from management etc, however is it not like HR should be more proactive in sharing feedback as an employee touch point?
When there are organisations which ensures time to time follow ups till the position is closed. Unfortunately there are exceptions too.
Thanks
Poulomi
HR Generalist
From India, Bangalore
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