Since this summer’s career advice columns focused on interviewing, it seems fitting to close the season with some guidance on the next step. Post-interview, a thank you note is expected. But given the lawyerly craving to continually persuade, many candidates commit the error of trying to do too much with a thank you note.
Before we get to content, however, let me put an end to the handwritten note versus e-mail debate. Once upon a time, a handwritten note was viewed as perfectly appropriate for a thank you note. Nonetheless, I used to advise candidates to choose a typewritten letter over a handwritten note, mainly to avoid poor penmanship, but also because I felt that a professional letter was better received. I cannot pinpoint the exact point in time when all snail mail became quaint and old school, but it’s been at least a few years.
