Email & written thank yous - overkill?

MJB2010 · Dec 7, 2011

so funny! I was JUST asking people this today! Just had an interview and wondering what to do. My husband who hires a lot of people at his company said email is fine or snail mail, just one or the other. He said he gets a lot of both.

I am curious to what other people will say!

canigraduate · Dec 7, 2011

Thanks for replying! I have heard that you should send an email right away, but that you should also send a card the next day. I have also heard that when you do both, it makes you look desperate (well, I am). And I have heard that emailing is unprofessional. I got a different answer from everyone I asked!! I figured the nurses and managers on AN would know best.

canigraduate · Dec 8, 2011

Anybody?

canigraduate · Dec 10, 2011

Well, I hope it's not overkill. I did both. I really wish someone had responded, though.

Russianred, BSN · Dec 12, 2011

I would not worry about it being overkill. You are just showing your appreciation and making sure it gets across. If they see appreciation from you twice then you will stick in their mind twice. Do not doubt yourself and others won't either. :)

LynnLRN · Jan 16, 2012

I've never sent an e-mail or a written thank you card. So far it hasn't hurt me. I never even heard to do that until I started reading it on here. Maybe it is more popular in different states?

Russianred, BSN · Jan 16, 2012

It just depends on the person sending, and people receiving and how much they value doing it. Any combination can yield any results. Everyone has had success with different methods.

hakunamatata, BSN, RN · Jan 21, 2012

I have the SAME question. I will post again as soon as I get an answer from a manager, HOWEVER, I am planning on sending a card via snail mail. I am an Anxious Annie so of course those 2-4 days before I know the person has gotten it (when I could have sent an e-mail) will make me go nuts.

I do not think both would "hurt", but it would probably be best to keep one more formal and reaffirming why you think you and the department are a good fit; and then the other not as much information...

mo2rn, BSN, RN · Mar 4, 2012

So did you get a response?

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Mar 5, 2012

As a hiring manager, I appreciate getting a "thank you for the interview" email but the applicant who sends a card REALLY stands out these days as someone who took the time and effort to go above the minimum interview standards and hopefully would do so during their normal work routine.

To speed up the thank-you card receipt, bring a card with you, complete after leaving the interview with the correct spelling of manager name( only if you feel unit would be a good match), immediately dropping in the mail. That's what tipped the hiring of my last RN over another candidate.