13+-+Follow+Up+Letter

**You’ve just walked out of the job interview and you nailed it! You researched the company so you were prepared, you were dressed to the nines, you answered and asked all the appropriate questions: you really hit this one out of the park. Now you can sit back, relax, and wait for the job offer to slip into your mailbox, right? WRONG!

Following up after an interview is essential and can help you stand out among the other applicants. There is still so much more you can do to convince your potential employer that you would be a perfect fit in that company. **



__Things to DO After the interview:__  __What NOT to do: __  For further follow up tips, see: After the Interview
 * 1) Ask the interviewer any questions you have about the job
 * 2) Exchange business cards and/or contact information
 * 3) Thank the interviewer with a confident handshake!
 * 4) Look up the answers to any questions you couldn’t answer in the interview
 * 5) WRITE A FOLLOW UP LETTER WITHIN 24 HOURS
 * 6) Make a follow up phone call within a week to 10 days to inquire about the position and sell your skills
 * 7) Notify your references that they may be receiving a call from the employer
 * 1) <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Forget to write a thank you or follow up letter
 * 2) <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Tell them they are not your first choice for a job
 * 3) <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Ask about salary<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">
 * 4) <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;"> Stop your job search
 * 5) <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Burn any bridges if you don't get the offer

<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);"> ==<span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Georgia,serif;"> One of the most important parts of following up after an interview with a potential employer is to write a follow up letter. This should be done within 24 hours, two days at the most. == <span style="font-size: 120%; color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: Georgia,serif;">**Purpose** <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;"> <span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Georgia,serif;"> <span style="font-size: 90%; color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: Georgia,serif;">**Structure of the Letter** <span style="font-size: 80%; font-family: Georgia,serif;">The follow up letter should be concise, well-written, and persuasive. It should be in block format aligned on the left, as shown the examples below. You should begin with your name and contact information and the name of the interviewer and their contact information: <span style="font-size: 90%; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Georgia,serif;"> Your Name Your Address Your Phone Number Your email
 * Writing the Follow Up Letter**
 * <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Georgia,serif;">Show appreciation for the employer's interest in you
 * <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Georgia,serif;">Demonstrate that you have good manners and know how to write a thank you note
 * <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Georgia,serif;">Show that you have the ability to follow through
 * <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Georgia,serif;">Reiterate your interest in the position and in the organization
 * <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Georgia,serif;">Remind the employer about your qualifications
 * <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Georgia,serif;">Provide information for questions you were unable to answer in the interview
 * <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Georgia,serif;">Include anything you forgot to mention in the interview

Date

Interviewer name Interviewer Title Company Name Company Address **<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">Introduction **
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">The salutation should follow the degree of formality used in the interview. If it was formal, use "Dear Mr./Mrs. Interviewer" followed by a colon. If the interviewer said, "Call me Diane," then you you can greet her with "Dear Diane" followed by a comma.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Thank the employer for the opportunity to interview
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Include specifics about the date and location of the interview

<span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Georgia,serif;">**<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">Body **
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Express your enthusiasm for the company.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Be specific about why you are interested in the position and how you would be a good fit for the team.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Address any issues or questions that you feel you did not fully answer during the interview.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Reiterate your expertise and highlight your successes.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Personalize it! The employer can read your resume if they want to review your qualifications; show them more of your character and what makes you different from the other applicants. This is also a good time to highlight a key point discussed in the interview to help the employer remember you better.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Proof read it, let a trusted friend proof read it, then proof it again! The letter should convey a professional image by being free of typos and grammatical errors.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">If the interviewer did not tell you, and you didn't ask, use this as an opportunity to ask when they expect to make the hiring decision

<span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Georgia,serif;">**<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">Closing ** <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;"> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">**<span style="color: rgb(0, 128, 0);">Expert Follow up Letter Advice ** <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">media type="youtube" key="mcuM2eWSs6I" height="340" width="560" <span style="font-size: 90%; font-family: Georgia,serif;"> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-family: Georgia,serif;">For tips on using proper grammar, see Grammar Sample Letter ** Blacksburg, VA 24060 (540) 555-6241 JRichardson@vt.edu
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Reiterate your appreciation appreciation for this opportunity
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Suggest further action (please contact me if you have any further questions, look forward to hearing from you, etc)
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">The closing is your choice. Choose whichever sounds most like you: Sincerely, Respectfully yours, Yours truly, etc
 * <span style="font-size: 120%; color: rgb(0, 128, 0);">
 * <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';">170 Roanoke Street

March 3, 2007

Ms. Patricia Smith Personnel Manager Sheldon Computers and Electronics 1212 Lark Lane Richmond, VA 23230

Dear Ms. Smith:

Thank you for the opportunity to visit with you and see your facilities last Wednesday. Both the interview and the tour made for an exciting and complete day.

I was particularly impressed with your warehousing procedures. Mr. Allen was so thorough in explaining your process to me, and I will be corresponding directly with him to express my appreciation. Incidentally, the process you use is quite similar to one I have been researching through an independent study this term. Perhaps I can share my final report with you and Mr. Allen. The expense report you requested is enclosed.

Again, thank you for your hospitality during my visit and for all your efforts to arrange my visit. Having seen your operation, I am all the more enthused about the career opportunity that Sheldon Computers and Electronics offers. I look forward to your decision.

Sincerely,

Jan Richardson

Enclosure || <span style="font-size: 120%; color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: Georgia,serif;">**Some Final Considerations** <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;"> **Job Search Tips** **Writing a Résumé** **Writing a Cover Letter** **Job interview Preparation** **During the Interview** **After the Interview** <span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Georgia,serif;"> [] [] [] [] []
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">According to a study at the New York Technical Institute, less than 4% of applicants actually write a follow-up letter so this is your chance to stand out!
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Don't feel limited to writing a thank you letter to your interviewer only. You can also write one to members of the company who assisted you in getting the interview.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">A follow up email is also acceptable, but a tangible letter would be more memorable.
 * For tips on writing an acceptance letter once you get that job offer, see** **Acceptance Letter**
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">If you didn't get the job this time, check the following links to figure out what areas of your job application process could use a little improvement: **
 * Sources**

<span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Georgia,serif;">**Authors and Contributions** Christen Lancaster Marissa Gonzalez