What are thank you letters and why are they so important?

Thank you letters are sent by candidates after an interview has occurred and are a critical part of an interviewing process. Many employers interpret the lack of follow-up by the candidate as an indication of no further interest. From the candidate's perspective, such a letter not only expresses thanks and declares continuing interest, but offers a chance to re-iterate the candidate's selling points relative to the needs and preferences of the employer and to re-address questions and topics that, upon reflection, the candidate might not have handled as well as he or she might have wished.

When should students develop the habit of thank you letter writing?

Since their pursuits of career enhancing experience may commence as early as their first year at Syracuse, and interviews will be part of the process, students should start thinking about these interview follow-up letters at the same time that they begin to pursue opportunities.  Since letters should be individually formulated after each interview, the earlier students realize the importance of reflecting on an interview and then crafting letters that reveal their perspectives accordingly, the more benefits they are likely to derive, especially in highly competitve situations where their peers may desire to win a position just as strongly.

Where is help available?

Students should connect with both the career services offices in their home colleges, and with the Center for Career Services, for print and/or online guidance on letter writing. Career-specific materials from the college offices are complemented by guidance and examples available in The Career Guide and Job Choices, publications distributed by the Center for Career Services, and by general guidelines and examples found on the Center's web site.

Critiquing services, i.e. chances for students to sit with a career advisor and go over a resume draft, are available at the Center (235 Schine) Tuesday and Friday from 12 to 2:30 pm, Monday and Thursday from 2 to 4:30 pm, and Wednesday from 3 to 5:30 pm, on a drop-in/no appointment necessary basis, and may be available on other bases in the college-based offices.