thank you emails

Summary:

any advice? must haves, faux pas etc.

thank you emails

mr.x (guest) 09 Mar 2010 06:16

Anyone have any tips for writing a thank you note? I want to be thoughtful and reiterate my interest in the position without droning on and on…

Any good models online?

Re: thank you emails

anon (guest) 09 Mar 2010 18:39

I'm at a slac, and here, if a candidate doesn't sent an e-mail note of thanks, it definitely raises our eyebrows. I think short and honest is the way to go—2 or 3 lines is appropriate. Good luck!

Re: thank you emails

anon8585 (guest) 10 Mar 2010 15:58

I think the key is to personalize it to each individual and institution and express enthusiasm for the position. Here's a couple that I sent out this year:

SLAC SC MEMBER:
Dear Dr. PBJ,

Thank you for taking the time to meet with me during my visit to Timbuktu College. I very much enjoyed our conversation about your XYZ Psychology Laboratory course and about lifestyle choices in the area. Hearing your perspective and thoughts was very helpful. As a result of my visit to Timbuktu, I can easily envision myself teaching, conducting and mentoring research projects, and living comfortably in the Timbuktu area. I believe that I am strong match for the xyz psychology position and hope that I was effective in communicating these thoughts. Good luck in the upcoming year on your pre-tenure review.

Kindest regards,
TT hopeful

FOR A SLAC POSITION:
Dear SCC,

Thank you for inviting me to interview at ABC College. I enjoyed my visit to the college and remain very enthused about the position as I believe it is a strong match for my career goals of being in an institution that values and expects excellence in teaching and research. I was very impressed with faculty in the department in terms of their collegiality, research activities, and engagement with students. I also learned the course of study designed by the faculty for psychology majors at ABC is rigorous and produces a strong foundation of empirically based graduates. I believe my research would fit well with the goal of immersing undergraduates in the entire research process from idea generation and study design to data analysis and communication of results in academic outlets.

Please also extend my thank you to (STUDENT NAMES) for meeting with me. The students provided a good perspective about the college, the faculty, and their hopes for the new hire. In addition, the students asked some thoughtful and complex questions, and I was impressed with the caliber of students at ABC. It excites me to think about working with a group of students such as them.

My wife and I feel very positive about the idea of relocating to (STATE) and can envision settling down in the ABC area. I wish you much success in completing your search process and hope to hear from the (DEAN) in the near future.

Kindest Regards,
TT Hopeful

R1 JOB:

Dear SC Member,

Thank you for taking me out dinner during my visit to R1 University. It was wonderful to see first hand the department, graduate students, and the opportunities for research. I was very impressed with the positive environment within the department and how engaged the graduate students were. I remain very enthused about the position and believe it is a strong match for my career goals of working in an institution that values and expects excellence in both teaching/training and research. I believe that I would be strong contributor to the U’s already excellent graduate training program, and can envision a long, happy, and productive career at R1 U.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any additional questions or thoughts. Good luck with… (ADDED PERSONAL COMMENT ABOUT A CONVERSATION WE HAD).

Best wishes in concluding a successful search and I hope that our paths cross again soon.

Kindest Regards,
TT Hopeful

Re: thank you emails

slac_applicant_in_limbo (guest) 10 Mar 2010 23:05

^
Good models! I was a little more long-winded in mine though.

But in a way, it doesn't seem that the thank you's will make or break you, right? It's just that you tried to show gratitude and personalize them…right? I figure the SC would be more outspoken if an applicant DIDN'T at least try…

Re: thank you emails

anon8585 (guest) 12 Mar 2010 03:21

I agree you have to show effort and personalization (unless you don't want the job b/c it was such a hell-hole!). I don't think they have to be super long. I just found it hard and time consuming to say something different to to the 4 or 5 different SC members.

Re: thank you emails

socialguest (guest) 14 Mar 2010 03:27

Thank you for providing such great thank you note template. So should you thank every committee member or just send it to the chair of the department and chair of the search committee? There were several committee members on my job interview which is why I am asking.

Thanks,

Re: thank you emails

anon8585 (guest) 14 Mar 2010 19:29

Bare minimum I sent thank you emails to the Dept Chair and all SC members. However, if you really want the job then I would suggest emailing all faculty that met with you during your in-person visit. Eventually, they will have to voted one way or another on you…. it's time consuming though.

Re: thank you emails

yetanotheranon (guest) 14 Mar 2010 21:34

Anyone you met with, even a quick convo, deserves a thanks. Try to personalize each in some way or at least vary them somewhat. You don't want everyone comparing their thank you's at the search committee meeting when they're about to give you a yay or nay…

Re: thank you emails

slac_vap_anon (guest) 14 Mar 2010 21:45

If you're interviewing at a SLAC, you'll probably be meeting with undergraduates as well. It might be odd to look up their e-mail addresses and send messages to them, but I would at least mention your appreciation of their time to the search chair, and ask him/her to pass the messages along. The students may or may not have a vote, but they'll at least be in on the discussion.