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[milou]

Dear more experienced readers

I am now on the interview trail, and surprised (I suppose I shouldn't be) that a lot of people are really nice to job candidates once they arrive. (Other aspects of the academic search are pretty alienating, so it comes as a shock to see that a lot of people are very nice when you meet them in person.) My question is-- who do I thank without looking wierd? I have thanked everyone who did something special with me--such as those who went to dinner with me, and the search committee chair. Should I think all those who talked to me? For example, some deans have been really a joy to talk to, unlike what I expected.  Should I thank them as well for taking time to talk to me (I would sort of like to.) What about people who took 15 minutes to have me come in and talk to them? I have had some really pleasant conversations with people, and would like to remember that to them, although, of course, as the interviews build up, it is harder to email absolutely everyone in my various itineraries.


                                                                    Milou

[sideroad bob]

milou wrote:

> Should I think all those who talked to me? For example,
> some deans have been really a joy to talk to, unlike what I
> expected.  Should I thank them as well for taking time to talk
> to me (I would sort of like to.) What about people who took 15
> minutes to have me come in and talk to them? I have had some
> really pleasant conversations with people, and would like to
> remember that to them, although, of course, as the interviews
> build up, it is harder to email absolutely everyone in my
> various itineraries.

Do you usually thank everyone who talks to you?  Or deliberate over doing so?  Sounds like neurotic behaviour to me.  Either they will offer you the post, in which case you can buy them a beer in person come the autumn, or they won't offer it to you - in which case why do you care what they think?

[recent PhD]

If you sincerely appreciate something--anything--I see no reason not to express that sentiment in a short, simple note or email.  If you had a truly enjoyable meeting with a dean, then she or he probably enjoyed it too, and a brief note would be welcome.  I think the trick is only to say things that you truly mean.

I had an on-campus visit in which one secretary really went out of her way to make sure my needs were taken care of.  You bet I sent her a thank you note that let her know exactly how much I appreciated her hospitality (and I named a couple of the things she did that I particularly appreciated).  And yes, I got the job--and now that person and I have a very good working relationship.

[Anon]

You don't need to thank everyone, but you do need to thank everyone on the search committee, even if some were nice and some were not.

[B.F.]

There has been a great deal of discussion regarding thank-you notes on this site. There are people who feel strongly for them and those who are strongly against them. A point of view somewhat in the middle is to mail a thank-you note to whoever you interacted with enough that you sincerely want to thank them. This would be someone who went out of their way to help you.