next »

[been phoned]

I remember reading, a few weeks ago, a thread in which someone mentioned sending thank-you notes to members of a search committee that had conducted a phone interview.  Is a thank-you note like this really a good idea? Or is it perhaps excessively "polite", in a formal way that might backfire on the candidate?  I can imagine that this sort of thing would come across as fawning and obsequious.  For another thing, if I send them a message, norms of reciprocity would seem to imply that they would then feel it's necessary to send me a message in reply - and surely they have better things to do.

I did enjoy the conversation I had with them today, so there wouldn't be anything false about writing to thank them and confirm my interest.  But it seems potentially unwise.  Any thoughts?

[science expat]

I think this is a topic of disagreement on this forum.

I'm with you; I agree that a thank you note is fawning and obsequious. The search committee members are not doing you a favor - they're trying to appoint the best person for their needs and you're trying to find the best post for yourself.

So, no note. Simple.

Now, sit back and watch the responses....

[Ed]

It didn't really occur to me to send thank you notes for just phone interviews.  I do for fly-out interviews though - since that involves alot more of the search committee chair's  (and possibly others) time and energy with me.

[Nah]

Having been on several SCs I think I would find it a little too much.  What would you thank them for?  Their time, perhaps?  Skip it and hold out for the campus interviews.

[Fawning]

I only send thank-yous for the on-campus interviews.  Otherwise, it's fawning.

[TT]

A single note to the chair (inclusive of everyone) is not going to get you labeled a weirdo.  However, not sending this note will make absolutely no difference in your status if they liked you on the phone.

[Quite the opposite]

As predicted by science expat, I strongly disagree with her/his advice.

I have been on search committees and not sending a note indicates that you are not very interested in the job.  For me at least, the thank you note serves as a tie breaker for candidates who are realitively equal.  And, more importantly it is the polite thing to do.

For a phone interview you should send an email thank you.  It should be very brief (just a few lines).  Thank them for their time, reiterate your interest in the position, and perhaps mention any updates to your cv (if appropriate).  If you make the short note about them (not about you) it can't possibly be fawning or obsequious.

An on campus interview requires a hand written "snail mail" thank you.

I wonder where this "urban legend" of not sending thank you notes got started?  It certainly improves the odds of landing a job for those smart enough to send one.

[in the midst]

I sent thank-you's to a phone interview where the two people on the call really went over backwards to respond to my questions, be conversational, and not just "get the job done".  FYI, this is the position I eventually would be offered & accept.  I also sent thank-you emails (short and sweet) after conference interviews to the schools where I had a positive experience, from my perspective.

I didn't sent thank-you's for every run-of-the-mill phone interview or to conference slots where it felt like my 15 minutes at the meat counter.

Anyhow, I don't think there is a "right" answer.  My point: go with your gut.  Don't go "over the top", but I don't think there is ever a point at which a sincere and professional Thank You is inappropriate.  Maybe we academics need to learn a bit more about the fine art of sincerity.

[Search Committee Member]

I'm another who votes for a single e-mail to the search chair or any one person on the committee -- two sentences (no fawning) will do. We notice; we think "s/he's still interested." I don't think we necessarily cut anyone who doesn't send a thank-you, but we do (in fact) wonder if they're not really interested and it might have a little weight when we're trying to fill the final slot in the 3-person campus interview list. Do remember, though, that interviews work both ways, and we can always wonder if something about the position here turned the person off so much we'd be wasting money bringing them to campus.

BUT -- the thank you for the campus interview should ALSO be by e-mail: we may be making our decision very soon, and we want to have the signal at once that you're still interested.

[Anony]

I think this is one of those counter-intuitive things.  Send thank you notes to the jobs that you are least excited about.  The jobs that already know they are desirable might view it as fawning, and it won't help regardless.  The jobs that wonder with each candidate whether they would be willing to come there  definitely take a convincingly-phrased thank you note as a sign that you are serious.  This will help for sure as they are happy to find someone excited about them.

Devious I know, but you want to get a job.

[Size matters]

I believe the size of the interviewing institution matters.  If you are dealing with a large institution with numerous faculty members in your department who are accustomed to interviewing faculty, then do not send a thank you letter for a phone interview.  

If you are dealing with a small school consisting of only a few faculty members in your division, then a thank you letter will go a long way.

Hope this helps and good luck!

[been phoned]

Well - all of this was very helpful.  I sent a note - but it wasn't a thank-you note, instead I simply said I enjoyed the conversation and would be happy to come on an interview.  So, a couple of people here helped me to see how to do something constructive without coming across as fawning.  Thanks!

[anon]

I had a phone interview and the search chair emailed me a thank you note the next day!

It was a really nice gesture in my opinion.  (I didn't hear from them again.)

[marrydavidson101]

You don't have to send the greatest note in the world or come up with clever phrases. It doesn't have to be a big corny affair. Just let them know you appreciate it. When have you ever wished someone hadn't thanked you?

[ruralguy]

Yes, a thank you note for a screening interview need only be a brief couple of sentences.
I would just say something like "I enjoyed our phone conversation the other day. [insert one sentence regarding details of conversation]. Thank you very much for your time, and I look forward to speaking with you in the near future" Thats it. More details can come if you have a campus interview.

...and I agree about all thank yous being email. In fact, even that could be useless. We've often made our decsion the night of the dinner with the last candidate.