This or That: Interview Follow Up

Feb 7, 2013

This or That: Interview Follow Up

Your outfit said chic and poised. Your handshake said I mean business. Your interview answers said perfect candidate. Now, what does your follow-up say? We’ve heard from our mothers, grandmothers, and Emily Post that handwritten thank you notes are best. But, in today’s culture of online communication, is it just as acceptable to send an email?

What do you think? Do you reach for pretty stationery and a pen, or do you swear by a timely email? What’s your standard protocol after leaving an interview?

thank you note image via // laptop image via

Brianna Cook

http://www.floralandfrayed.com/ Margaret Barley

Sometimes I do both, but I always; MOST DEFINITELY write a handwritten thank you card. It shows that you’ve gone out of your way and that their time mean something to you.
instantphoebe

It honestly depends. If I can, I will definitely opt for handwritten.

However, sometimes you aren’t interviewed by a person who works where you interviewed and all you have is their email address. Or you know they are making a decision quickly in only a couple days worth of time. In either of these sort of cases, I’d go for the email.

But if you have at least a week before the decision date, I’d go handwritten.

I do sometimes worry, though, if I address it to a person and only know the organization/company address, that it’ll get lost in the mailroom, especially at a large company or building, and the recipient will never get it and think, “Oh, that girl never sent me a thank you card.” But I take my chances anyway, haha.
http://twitter.com/TaylorGaudens Taylor Gaudens

I usually send a thank you email after the interview, a few hours after/before the end of the day. Then I make sure to send my hand-written thank you note as soon as possible!
Emily

I honestly think shooting over an e-mail is equally as appreciated these days.
sarah miller

Always a handwritten note. Always.
BrittanyWeeks

I send a Handwritten thank you card within 48 hours of the interview so you stay fresh in the interviewers mind
http://answertheunasked.blogspot.com/ JMill

When I was interviewing for major companies in competitive positions, I’d take the thank you cards WITH ME to the interview. I’d make sure to get the interviewer(s) names, write the card in the lobby/reception area and give it to the receptionist on my way out. Following up in an email is a nice touch to say “I hope you got my sincere thank you card from your receptionist [insert name here].”

http://thehistoryofever.com/ Brianna

What a clever idea!!! Putting this one in my back pocket…
Courtney

totally brilliant. I have always wondered about if the company is large, will they ever get it as another commenter wrote. but with this, you are covered AND on top of it!
Tracy

This is a great idea, but as a recruiter for a large company, I prefer when candidates have taken time to marinate on the interview and send a thank you note 24 hours later. In my experience, hiring managers actually expect an email thank you note as often times, a handwritten card will taken several days to get to our desks (due to mailroom processes as someone mentioned earlier).

http://katieokeefeblog.wordpress.com/ Katie O’Keefe

When I was interviewing for a job, I always e-mailed a thank-you as soon as I got back to my computer. You never know how quickly an employer is looking to fill a position, so you do not want to miss one last opportunity to leave a good impression. I woudl then write a hand-written thank-you note that day or the next on some good, thick paper like Crane without too much design – maybe just with my monogram. It all depends on where you are interviewing as well and what kind of culture they have.
Margaret

I deal with numerous interviewees almost weekly and I think an email shortly after the meeting, just to say thank you for their time, is always appreciated. Mailing a hand written letter reiterating your excitement for the opportunity the same day usually ensures that the letter is received before they have made any further decisions regarding the position and keeps you in the forefront of their mind.
Liz

I work in an office full of mobile workers so everyone has instant access to e-mail. But not everyone checks their mail daily. Or even weekly. I think hand written notes are great but are not guaranteed to get to your interviewer within 24-48 hours.
http://thecornerapartment.com/ Elizabeth @ TheCornerApartment

I would say handwritten, especially if you have good handwriting. A pretty card never hurts, of course.

Elizabeth
AVH

I agree with Jmill. I always took the card with me to the interview. Afterwards I would stop in a coffee shop to quickly write the note and mail it immediately.
Allyson

I occasionally do both, but if not it’s a handwritten thank you all the way. Not just a generic one either – I string something unique about our conversation into the note. It seems the most thoughtful thing to do.
when we wander

Despite the fact that we live in a more electronic world nowadays than previous generations, I think taking the time to write a hand written note shows that you’re willing to go that extra little bit over simply getting on your email.

http://www.whenwewander.blogspot.com
Kates

Handwritten thank you note is best. But if the company is big on technology than I think its okay to send it via email. I will say I always appreciate a handwritten card, no matter what the subject or who its from. It just shows that they took the time to sit down and write something. I think sometimes its too easy to send off an email.
http://www.ahomeinthemaking.blogspot.com/ Jenn@A Home in the Making

I’ve never received a handwritten note from someone I’ve interviewed, but I ALWAYS send one when I’m being interviewed. I think it’s such a nice touch and it honestly just feels weird not to.
Emily

I send handwritten thank you notes. Just ment with a recruiter and right after the meeting I had a thank you in the mail.

Emily

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mirandahutch

people of highly respected fields have stated that you will not get the job or a follow up if you send an email. my parents have always told me that if I don’t want a job, send an email.

Sarah

I have to agree. I think an e-mail is a great idea, but in modern times sending a handwritten note instead or as well may look, well a bit sickly ott. I totally think a handwritten note is the best thank you for personal presents or to thank a friend for their great support in something, but not on a business level. I think it makes it too personal.

Sentrell

I recently interviewed for a position and I immediately sent a handwritten thank you note. Exactly a week later, I followed up with an email. A few days later I was asked to come in for second lunch interviewed. The person mentioned the thank you card during the second interview. She said it was refreshing. I was offered the job today.

I think handwritten notes are a nice touch. It helps you stand out.
http://twitter.com/amor0713 Ashley Rizzardo

Always handwritten!
lemkam

I work in IT. If I didn’t send an email, I’d look like a slouch.
Emily Harden

I lean towards doing both, and if I have to pick just one, the handwritten card. It is just so much more personal and thoughtful!
http://twitter.com/caitlinjoyrush Caitlin Rush

Both! I always send an email thank you as soon as I get home from the interview and then write a handwritten note expanding on what the email said and drop it in the mail the next day.