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After every interview (whether for an actual position or for information only) a thank you letter must be sent. Even if you did not enjoy the interview (or the interviewer), and/or you are not interested in the position, it is important to thank the interviewer for the time s/he spent with you. You never know if, five years from now, that person will be in a position to hire you for a job you would really like.

In addition to writing thank you letters, it is also standard practice to send a letter when you accept a position and when you've decided that you no longer wish to be considered (see samples on following pages). None of the letters need to be long and elaborate - the vital thing is to write a well-written letter and to send it immediately after your interview.

Content.

Address the letter to the person who initially invited you for the interview. If you saw more than one person, you can write to each of them, or refer to them in your letter to the primary interviewer. Mention the title of the position for which you interviewed.

If you are interested in the position, express your enthusiasm and reiterate your desire for the job and your qualifications for it. You may want to add information or materials (such as reference letters) that enhance your candidacy. You may also refer to the discussion which occurred in the interview. Basically, you want to express thanks for the time the employer spent with you. You may also mention the date you expect to hear from them.

If you are not interested, you can still express appreciation for being considered and for the courtesy extended to you. If you can imagine no circumstances under which you would accept the position, you should not continue with the process. Thus, if you've decided to withdraw yourself from the applicant pool, this would be a good time to put that in writing. Try to give a reason for your withdrawal that will leave you on good terms with the interviewer.