Writing Follow-up Letters or Emails After an Interview
Many of the job sites listed in “Understanding Four Major Ways To Look for a Position” include samples of follow-up letters for different situations that occur during a job search.
After an interview, you should write a letter or email of appreciation. If you are offered the job, you also might have to write a letter accepting or rejecting the position.
Letter of appreciation after an interview. Thank the organization’s representative for taking the time to see you, and emphasize your particular qualifications. You can also restate your interest in the position and mention a specific topic of conversation you found particularly interesting or a fact about the position you found exciting. A follow-up letter can do more good with less effort than any other step in the job-application procedure because so few candidates take the time to write one.
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Letter accepting a job offer. This one is easy: express appreciation, show enthusiasm, and repeat the major terms of your employment.
Letter rejecting a job offer. If you decide not to accept a job offer, express your appreciation for the offer and, if appropriate, explain why you are declining it. Remember, you might want to work for this company at some time in the future.
Letter acknowledging a rejection. Why write back after you have been rejected for a job? To maintain good relations. You might get a phone call the next week explaining that the person who accepted the job has had a change of plans and offering you the position.
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