The thank you letter is a critical element of the interviewing process. In a way, it’s analogous to the defense attorney making his closing summation at trial. The evidence has been presented; now he’s wrapping the whole thing up with a bow, recapping what’s been said, and trying to convince the jury why they should decide in his client’s favor.

It’s not uncommon for the case to be won or lost on the basis of the summation.

If you’re the person on trial, you probably don’t want your attorney to phone this in. Or to decide it isn’t worth doing at all – why not skip it and roll the dice? Let’s just send them in to deliberations and let the chips fall where they may. After all, this is just a formality, right?

Yeah, I don’t think so.

Likewise, this thank you is a closing summation of sorts – and equally important. You’re recapping the interview and everything that’s happened up to this point and trying to convince them to hire you. This letter is your final opportunity to reiterate your unique selling proposition and make a lasting impression. It’s your last chance to restate the most important aspects of your candidacy and summarize how you can help the company meet its challenges.

That means you give this some thought and craft a persuasive, error free letter. Everyone you interviewed with gets one. No copies – each person gets his or her own letter.

Skip this step (or fail to take it seriously) at your peril.

Author: Rebecca Metschke

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1. Job Interview Skills – 9 Things You Should Never Do in an Interview
2. Interview Tips – An Interview Crib Sheet
3. 5 Tips For a Successful Phone Interview

What is self-marketing? Basically, it is communicating your benefits to potential or current employers. Think of yourself as a “product” and explain to employers what differentiates you from other “products.”

Why is self-marketing important? Landing a job or improving your current position requires effectively selling your skills, abilities, and knowledge to employers. How do you market yourself? Self-marketing can be accomplished through networking, resumes, interviews, and salary negotiation.

Reports estimate that as many as 85% of jobs aren’t advertised. Networking is one way to get at the “hidden job market” – those unadvertised jobs. Tell everyone you know that you are looking for a job. They just may know of someone who is hiring.

Develop a contact list including: family, friends, friends of friends, acquaintances, co-workers, former co-workers, neighbours, doctors, dentists, and lawyers. Remember, more contacts equals more job opportunities.

Résumés are often your first contact with an employer. Your resume should highlight your skills for the job you want, not the jobs you’ve held. If you present yourself well on paper, you will have an opportunity for a face-to-face meeting with an employer.

Interviewing is your chance to really sell yourself. The interviewer is trying to determine if you’re a good fit for the position and the company. Practice commonly asked questions. Be prepared with success stories that emphasize when you’ve effectively used your skills, abilities, and knowledge, leading to exceptional results.

Don’t forget to send a thank you note after the interview. The thank you letter lets you express appreciation for the interview and strengthens your candidacy. It allows you to reemphasize your strongest qualifications, restate your interest in the position, and provide additional information not previously given.

Salary negotiation is a useful tool to ensure you are paid what you’re worth and what the market supports. Negotiations can be conducted with your current or potential employer. In either situation, be prepared to talk about what credentials, skills, and accomplishments justify your requested salary. Besides money, other things that you can negotiate are: flex-time, extra vacation days, tuition reimbursement, and hiring bonuses.

Joan Runnheim,
Career Consultant
www.pathwayscareer.com

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