By: Meryl J. Kanofsky, Class of 2014, Trial Attorney, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of General Counsel, Fair Housing Compliance Division, Bar Admissions: California
Disclaimer: The opinions reflected in this post are those of the author and are not endorsed, sponsored, or otherwise supported by the United States Government.
Being gracious and humble will only serve you well not only in your job search, but in your legal career as a whole. When has saying thank you created a negative impression? Almost never. In fact, acknowledging the time your interviewers took to speak with you could be just what your future employer is looking for before extending another interview or an offer. In my experience, thank you notes are especially important for government, judicial, or public interest positions. The key is to not overthink how to write one and to not underplay the importance of a thank you note. If you are genuine, it will be noticed.
To express your gratitude in an effective way, keep these 4 factors in mind.
1. Email is acceptable.
Timeliness is important, and most government agencies’ mail is delayed, so feel free to send your thanks electronically. If you do not have the email address of your interviewers, feel free to ask for their contact information during the interview in case you have follow up questions.
2. Keep it simple and you won’t make mistakes.
Proof read. Show your attention to detail. However, don’t let fear of making a mistake prevent you from sending a thank you note. Again, be yourself and be genuine in your sentiment, but always proof read.
3. Brevity is fine.
Thank you notes do not need to be more than a few sentences. A simple “Thank you for taking the time out of your busy day to speak with me,” or “I really enjoyed our conversation about the work that you do, the case you described was particularly interested to me because…and I look forward to hopefully joining your team,” can go a very long way.
4. Appreciate WashULaw’s alumni.
If you interview with alumni or even just have a networking discussion with alumni, they could be making an effort for you because of your shared connection. The alumnus you’re speaking with likely benefitted from an alumnus when they were in your shoes. Alumni have a vested interested in the continued success of WashU Law students, but if students do not show their appreciation, we will be less likely to take time away from our practice to help you out. When your interviewer is an alumnus, sow seeds of goodwill. Always be sure to acknowledge that extra effort and absolutely thank them for their time.
So, if maintaining the connection you have made during the interview is important to you, whether you are interested in the job or not, after the interview, put it in writing. You never know where your interviewer may end up in their career and when your paths may cross again, so be mindful not to burn a bridge that could lead to a career opportunity in the future.