thank you letters/emails after interviews - opinions?

[TheCatThatDanced]

I'm a trained legal sec/EA - recently had an interview for a maternity contract which wasn't entirely what I was after but foot in the door. Have had interviews at a silver circle and magic circle law firm and I don't feel the culture is really me - maybe the silver circle - in fact I turned down the magic circle as I felt it would be too pressured.

Anyway I really felt this firm with a good keep rate (is that the right word) of legal secs, and they're employing more etc and offer yoga etc there would really suit me - the HR feedback said they felt I'd fit in really well. I was pipped to the post during 2nd interview as another candidate had 10 more years experience than me and a certain skill.

So I emailed them thanking them for the opportunity got a nice email back saying thanks and to look on their website, but HR people etc - what do you really think of thank you emails/letters? I never normally send them.

I'm not HR, but I'm a manager who interviews a lot.

I don't mind them when they add something: 'We discussed x topic, here's a link to an article I wrote on it...' or similar.

But when it's just 'thank you', it feels a bit brown-nosey.

OhEliza - really? But I'm a legal secretary so I won't be writing articles any time soon!

I genuinely was impressed with everyone interviewing me - think very old school but with modern twist prestigious law firm and I wanted to convey that across!

I'd cringe massively if I got one of those from an external candidate. Brown nosing to the max and it would put me off someone if it was for anything other than a very junior role.

TealGreenBalloons - oh drat - I ran this past someone and they said it was fine to do it...

Well there isn’t much you can do about it now! I wouldn’t recommend it but you can of course keep applying for jobs. There are plenty more firms and you never know, these people might not be put out! No real harm done I suspect!

I think if they got back to you and told you you didn’t get the job then a quick “that’s a shame please consider me in future” email is fine.

I absolutely cannot stand candidates emailing after interview when I haven’t had the chance to get back to them yet (unless they are very young), I find it incredibly brown nosing, as if they think they can sweet talk my decision!

Yet in the USA, you are expected to send a thank you note after the interview! 🤷🏻‍♀️

Agree its cringe and as a recruiting manager I wouldn't be impressed.

Depends though - I’m at the Bar and it is professional courtesy and very much expected if interviewed for tenancy (doesn’t always require an interview) and decide to go to another set to drop head of chambers where you aren’t going an email of some sort. Interesting it’s seen as ingratiating in some circles !

Don’t worry op. Even if someone were to misread it (I do think it’s a misread) it’s not anything to worry about.

Can't see how a polite 'thank you' can do much harm! Pretty standard where I am. Receiving a thank you email wouldn't ultimately change my decision either way but I'd say I expect it from those candidates who are really interested in the job.

I wouldn’t send one before the decision. After rejection is what I read this as being.

I've always sent a reply to any email telling me I haven't been successful, it's common courtesy. I do only reply to the email though so sometimes it's HR, sometimes it's the hiring manager; I wouldn't seek out the hiring manager's details that would be a bit odd.

Cringey and gives a subtle feel of desperation which could weaken negotiations.

It’s only happened to me once, (American candidate), have to say I was very impressed & offered her the job. (which she did brilliantly and when she left invited me to holiday with her in the US which was fab ).
I’ve always worked in customer service industries where good manners and basic courtesy are very important, but unfortunately considered old fashioned by many people.

I’d not worry and might even think it rather sweet but in truth, the email would go to outsourced HR who probably wouldn’t share it. Internal posts, I’d be fine about and have had emails thanking me for feedback. I think maybe if the feedback is good with detailed advice about where they could perform better next time, it’s not unreasonable to say thank you.

Absolutely not, never.

If it's after the rejection, it's worth combining thanks with a request for feedback; or if you've had feedback along with the rejection that's generally positive, a request to be considered if a role comes up again. You may not get anywhere, but asking for those things is very reasonable

In the situation you've described I don't see anything wrong with it. If it were down to you and one other person and you already received good feedback but didn't get the job, a quick 'thank you and please keep me in mind for future positions' would show that there's no hard feelings and you are still interested if something else comes up. Sending off thank you's after every interview is a bit cringe worthy though.

I have received some really nice, gracious thank you messages from unsuccessful candidates over the years, saying how much they learned from the process and/or appreciating the feedback that we have provided. I always think that's quite nice.

I do think it's a bit cringeworthy if people email to say thank you before we've given them the outcome. It looks like they're trying to suck up. In general, it does them no favours in any case, as we usually decide the outcome at the end of the interview session before any of the panel get back to their emails.

I’ve always sent a thank you email...and always got the job. Think multinational companies, and I worked in 4 different companies. It’s perfectly possible to sound thankful without sounding desperate. I’ve also recruited for my successors and appreciated those who did drop a thank you (either direct or via a recruitment agent)

I wouldn't have any problems with this as it was after you had the outcome.

thanks all! Just to clarify I never ever send emails etc after interviews normally - I seriously thought they would be a great company to work for - and lots of places I interview at (corporate law firms, yawn) I'd work there if they offered me the role but they're so corporate...

I saw a thank you email the other day and it is very cringe. It makes no difference to the interview outcome.

KatherineJaneway - my email was sent after I knew the outcome. There is no way on earth I'd send an email or letter after I had the interview and before the outcome.

Sorry Cat I misunderstood.