Thank You Letters, Cover Letters, and Reference Lists

(Sample cover letters and thank yous can be found behind the "Many Related Links".)

Thank-you Letters

You've survived the interview, but your work isn't done yet. Within 48 hours (preferably 24 hours) after an interview, it's good form to send a cordial letter to the person with whom you spoke. If the interview was with more than one person an original letter should be sent to each person. The letter can be an email J!! You can include any of the following you feel appropriate:

• Thank the person for the interview and their time.
• Emphasize your interest in the position under consideration.
• Rephrase your background and briefly explain how your experience can complement the requirements of the position.
• Identify 2-3 things of interest that came up in the interview.
• State anything you wish you had made clearer-or forgot to mention-in the interview.
• Indicate that you look forward to hearing his or her decision (refer to the follow-up agreed to).

Politeness costs nothing and gains everything. -Anonymous

Here is an example of a thank you letter:

Dear Tom,

I just wanted to express my appreciation for the time you spent with me today discussing the auditing position with your firm.

The interview with you confirmed my initial positive impressions of ABC Accounting Firm and your dedication to professional client service. I am extremely interested in your current opening and confident my motivation, academic background, and experience will enable me to contribute to the success of your organization.

Your interest and consideration are greatly appreciated. If you need any additional information from me, please feel free to let me know.

Sincerely,

Sue Thompson

A cover letter is a brief communication that accompanies your resume when you mail it. You do not need a cover letter if you are going through campus recruiting. A cover letter should have the following characteristics:

• Uses a standard business format and employs a business or professional tone.
• Is written to an individual, if possible, you may have to call the company to find out who is receiving resumes for the position.
• Is on the same paper stock and color paper as your resume.
• Is neat, visually attractive, and error-free.
• Includes your home telephone number and your work phone if permissible.
• Is 2-4 paragraphs in length. Should be no longer than one page in length.
• Tells the recipient why you are writing (response to an ad, referral by a friend, etc.).
• Specifies the position or type of position you are interested in.
• Speaks to the needs and interests of the reader; demonstrates that your education, abilities, and interest are relevant to his or her job opening.
• Lets the reader know that you know something about his or her company, and that you have gone to the trouble of doing some research before writing.
• States your key skills and abilities.
• Has a conversational tone but does not presume a friendship with the reader.
• States that you will follow up by phone on a specified date.
• Requests an interview.
• Thanks the reader.
• Closes with Sincerely.
• The last line should be the word Enclosure because you resume in enclosed with the letter.

Your resume is a standardized document. You can use your cover letter as a customizing tool for your resume to point out specific things in your resume that may be of particular interest to the reader.

You will need approximately three professional references when offered a position. Professional references are colleagues, supervisors, clients, or teaches - anyone that can comment on your ability to perform in work or scholastic settings. Friends and relatives are not appropriate references. If you have lots of options for references, choose the ones that can comment on the type of positions your are seeking.  Speak with each of the people listed as references and ask them if they will be willing to be your reference.  Don't assume they will and if they don't sound happy to do it, use someone else! Never put a person on your list if you are unsure that they will give you a sparkling reference. Be sure to forward them a copy of your recent resume so they can comment appropriately on your performance.

I don't recommend that you include references with your resume because employers can pre-screen you by calling your references prior to meeting you. You should only use your references for positions of interest because you don't want to abuse your references with too many phone calls.

Type your references on the same paper and use the same type style as your cover letter and resume. At the top should be your name and address listed in the same style you used on your resume. Then put the title References. For each reference list their first and last name, job title or academic title, name of the organization or school where they work, office address, phone number, email address, and a brief sentence or two clarifying your connection to this person. DO NOT put "References on request on your resume".  Take a copy of your references on your job interview.

Should letters of recommendation substitute for a list of references? Letters of recommendation can be appropriate when your experience was from a different state or country and the individuals would be hard to reach. Most employers prefer speaking personally with references. Employers know that some employers ask employees to write their own letters of recommendation.

Success comes in cans. Failure comes in can'ts. -Fred Seely