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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To write a thank you email after interview?

79 replies

TillyMouse7 · 11/12/2018 19:26

I had an interview today. The job is great! The interview went well, I did my best - although now I'm thinking back at the interview I realise I should have said things other ways maybe but during the interview with the nervs I think I did pretty well and I am proud of myself. I did a lot of prep for it and I hope it will pay off.

Now obviously the waiting game... I know they are interviewing this week. I should know an answer by next week Tuesday/Wednesday.
I obviously want to stay on the loop and thought I might just drop a thank you for the interview email.
Is it something people still do?

OP posts:
Athena51 · 11/12/2018 22:39

I've never sent an email but like @BoringSoup I thank the panel for their time before leaving at the end of the interview.

leaveituntiltomorrow · 11/12/2018 22:45

I recruit and I’d say don’t. I’m realistic with time scales when speaking to candidates as I sometimes have other people to consult with about successful candidates, plus recruiting is a small part of my rather full work load. I hate it when people contact me for feedback before a decision has been made.

Sparky888 · 11/12/2018 22:45

I received one once and I loved it and hired him.

Mixedupmummy · 11/12/2018 22:49

I sent one and got the job. did deliberate quite a bit about sending it though.

Jellycatspyjamas · 11/12/2018 22:50

I wouldn’t send an email before I’d heard the outcome but have done afterwards (when I wasn’t successful) thanking them for their time and wishing the successful candidate every success. Twice now I’ve been contacted about other roles within the organisation - a carefully worded email can’t hurt.

RemindMeToMoveTheElf · 11/12/2018 22:52

I always do it, to reiterate my interest, and once I did it to withdraw my candidacy. I feel interviews are a two-way process. I’m as much attending to see if the company fits me as to see if they believe I fit it.

(I thought it was interesting to see one poster say ‘in the U.K. no but in Europe yes’ - I’m in the U.K. and in Europe)

JHaniver · 11/12/2018 23:00

I didn’t know this was considered such a no no, I sent a thank you email after an interview for the first time recently!

I’d sent a CV with a tentative cover letter as I wasn’t sure if the role was right for me, and was invited in for a chat that turned into an informal interview. I knew I really wanted the job after that! I did draft quite a desperate email, but then deleted it and sent a few short sentences saying it had been nice to meet them and to thank them for showing me around, and that I’d love the opportunity to work as part of their team. I was offered the job the next day. It’s a small company and I felt the manager would appreciate it, I don’t think it would have felt appropriate with any of my previous job applications though.

blueshoes · 11/12/2018 23:04

The interviews for all the jobs that I apply for or which my firm advertises are arranged through HR. It would therefore be a little stalkerish to receive a thank you email from a candidate because they would have had to google my contact details. I think it is ok (but not usual) to send to whoever arranged the interview but not to the interviewers directly.

It is quite a US practice. All the interview sites that recommend this particular practice will be American. It is not the done thing in the UK for jobs in bigger organisations. Maybe a small company which has trouble attracting good candidates may appreciate it more.

notdaddycool · 11/12/2018 23:09

Got one the other day reinforcing why she was the one, she wasn’t...

ThistleAmore · 11/12/2018 23:12

I recruit and I’d say don’t. I’m realistic with time scales when speaking to candidates as I sometimes have other people to consult with about successful candidates, plus recruiting is a small part of my rather full work load. I hate it when people contact me for feedback before a decision has been made.

The OP isn't asking about feedback, though: it's a quick, polite 'thank you for your time' with no expectation of reciprocation. It's just good manners.

And also boo bloody hoo you with your 'rather full work load'. I work in a senior role and have been involved in recruitment for many years (not HR). It takes me barely a minute to acknowledge or thank somebody.

Fruitbatdancer · 11/12/2018 23:26

I have done a lot of interviewing as used to manage a large team.
There are several things you should not do as an interviewee in my experience:
Do not send a than you email
Do not add me on FB or Instagram (linked in is acceptable)
Ensure your social media does not have unlocked down content if you are applying for an IT security role
Do not bring a knife to the interview in your sock
Do not send cry during the interview
Do not bitch about your current employer unprofessionally (I may know them)
Do not leave gaps on your CV and when questioned tell me you were in the “big house” (be honest)
Do not send me a begging email when you don’t get the job
Do not send me an abussive email when you do not get the job
Do not contact the client and send them a begging letter when you don’t get the job.

I think that’s it.
To be fair a thank you email is far less worse than a knife (think flick knife not butter) in the sock. So I guess it’s your call! Wink

thinkfast · 11/12/2018 23:34

I've always sent a follow up email.

I think it's unprofessional not to do when a busy person has taken time out of their day to meet you.

ceeveebee · 11/12/2018 23:34

Ive always sent a thank you email after interviews for jobs that I have really wanted, and I have been offered every job...

It needn’t be creepy. The last one I sent was something like

Dear Xxxx

It was good to meet you earlier and to learn more about the role and the company. It sounds very interesting etc etc

I look forward to hearing from you and hope to have the opportunity to go to the next interview stage

Aridane · 12/12/2018 00:51

Aw,batpie - that’s a really sweet story. And your daughter actually emailing a thank you letter AFTER being rejected is very different to a thank you sucky up email and shows a genuine interest in the company and a generosity of spirit in wishing the chosen candidate well

ThistleAmore · 12/12/2018 01:06

@Fruitbatdancer

Sooooooo many questions, but this is the stand-out ATM:

Do not send cry during the interview

?

Anyat212 · 12/12/2018 01:34

I’m from the UK and work in HR, I’ve recieved a few of these emails and to be honest they don’t change my opinion on the candidate. An email saying thanks for your time is hardly above and beyond but guess it doesn’t hurt. The thank you emails which are really deep and long winded (1 in particular stands out) was just plain ridiculous to be honest, if you want to send one do keep it short and sweet as they say.

I’ve personally never done this in my career though.

ThistleAmore · 12/12/2018 01:48

I don't send 'thank you/good to meet you' emails to HR, I send them directly to the person responsible for hiring.

If you're interviewing for a relatively senior or niche role, HR are only there to mind the Ps and Qs: they have no real influence in the actual decision-making process, so sending them an email would be pointless. Copying them in as a courtesy, maybe, but otherwise no.

Original poster
TillyMouse7 · 12/12/2018 10:40

Thanks for the comments everyone. I sent one this morning. Just thanked for their time, expressed my interest and said if they have anymore questions just contact me. Very short casual email (interview was fairly informal) I feel better but I don't think I sounded desperate. Now from fingers and toes crossed 🤞🏻

OP posts:
Polarbearflavour · 12/12/2018 11:21

In the USA it’s standard to send a written thank you letter / card.

penisbeakerfan1 · 12/12/2018 11:34

No, you will be accused of sucking up and nobody likes that in a candidate.

Lovefurypassion · 12/12/2018 11:40

@ThistleAmore

We get it. You’re in a senior role and you interview a lot.

If you're interviewing for a relatively senior or niche role, HR are only there to mind the Ps and Qs: they have no real influence in the actual decision-making process, so sending them an email would be pointless.

That’s your company procedure though? That’s not the same for every company. For example the company I work for HR tend to be involved when interviewing and we would be involved in senior types of interviews. It’s great if managers want to conduct interviews themselves with a member of their team (for a lower level role) however, they tend to focus on the technical side. It’s equally important to question behaviours via competency based interviews too. If this is over looked guess who will pick the issues up? I’ve seen this a lot in past roles.

At the company I work for, yes hiring managers are responsible for hiring their staff. However, HR will certainly have an influence in a decision if wrong behaviours are demonstrated in the interview. As I’ve said every company is different. It’s what works best at the end of the day.

OP - good luck! Flowers

Toughtips · 12/12/2018 12:13

I think it depends who's hiring. Tbh anyone that is hiring and thinks it comes across as cringey or desperate needs to give their head a wobble over a thank you email.

I've sent them before and been successful and I've sent one before and not.

My most recent interview was via a recruitment agent and they advised against. So nothing. I still got offered the job.

If you're gonna do it just keep it short. I don't think it always bares much, if any weight in the hiring decision though.

Toughtips · 12/12/2018 12:16

Oh and good luck OP. Hope you get the job!

Itsear · 12/12/2018 12:18

Thanks for the update OP. Good luck, let us know if you get the job.

MrsGollach · 12/12/2018 12:18

I usually do that and let them know that I am interested in the position. I'm always offered the job!

It's just politeness isn't it. Something that we seem to be forgetting these days.

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