Q: Should I send a thank you email/note to every screener?
A: The Career Center encourages students to send a thank you note following interviews. If you elect to send a thank you note, it is best to send it no later than 24 hours following the interview. For initial screening interviews, decisions are typically made quickly, and you should send your thank you note by email on the day of the interview to ensure that it arrives before a decision is made. With respect to callback interviews, use your own judgment regarding emailed versus handwritten thank you notes. Some employers feel that email shows much less effort and sincerity on the part of the sender, and regional expectations may differ as well. An emailed thank you may be appropriate if you believe a mailed thank you will not arrive before a decision is made. The perfect thank-you note requires only three sentences, but make sure you do not send an identical thank you note to everyone. For example:
Dear Ms. Johnson:
Thank you for taking time to interview me during my recent visit to Wayne, Kent and Parker. I enjoyed hearing your description of the environmental practice group’s needs, and I believe I would be a natural fit. Next week, I will follow-up with the firm’s recruiting department.
Regards,
John Smith