Post call-back "thank you" e-mail etiquette Forum

[judgefriendlyhand]

After my first interview with A,B, & C, P.A., I sent an e-mail to the member of the hiring committee (not a partner) who set up the interview, expressing my appreciation for the firm's consideration and re-emphasizing my interest in the position. About two weeks later, one of the partners (Ms. Smith) who I met with during the first interview called to see whether I was interested in a second interview. At the second interview, I met with five partners (including Ms. Smith) and one associate.

From what I was able to gather, the best practice is to send the post interview follow up e-mail not to the interviewing partner, but to my contact at the hiring committee. However, because Ms. Smith called me to schedule my second interview, I think it would be appropriate to e-mail her directly. Should I e-mail Ms. Smith?

P.S. -- I know this sounds incredibly neurotic, but I can't afford to screw this up.

[Anonymous User]

Which market? How big is the firm? Judging by "P.A.," I assume smaller market or smaller firm. I've always been told to avoid thank you emails because it can only hurt you. But that advice generally applied in NYC Biglaw context (not to sound overly-douchy, but it actually matters).

[BigZuck]

Just don't send thank yous

[DaysToGo]

Send the thank you to the person (preferably partner) you most connected with. That's what my OCS told me to do, which I did, and when I got the offer call, the partner cited my thank you note specifically and said that was a major part of why he decided to give me the offer. He did say it was one of the best he'd ever received, so if yours is going to be a generic thank you note without any specific personalized reason for the thank you, then don't bother, it'll be pointless at best, and harmful at worst. This was for a NYC firm, fyi.

[judgefriendlyhand]

The firm that I'm speaking of is a small firm (25-50 attorneys) that is outside of any major markets. I'm currently employed at another firm and I just want to emphasize that I'm still interested in the position. I feel like I made a decent impression, so perhaps there isn't much more that I can add by way of a follow up e-mail.

[Kratos]

Send the thank you to the person (preferably partner) you most connected with. That's what my OCS told me to do, which I did, and when I got the offer call, the partner cited my thank you note specifically and said that was a major part of why he decided to give me the offer. He did say it was one of the best he'd ever received, so if yours is going to be a generic thank you note without any specific personalized reason for the thank you, then don't bother, it'll be pointless at best, and harmful at worst. This was for a NYC firm, fyi.

That partner is probably a liar.

[totesTheGoat]

Send the thank you to the person (preferably partner) you most connected with. That's what my OCS told me to do, which I did, and when I got the offer call, the partner cited my thank you note specifically and said that was a major part of why he decided to give me the offer. He did say it was one of the best he'd ever received, so if yours is going to be a generic thank you note without any specific personalized reason for the thank you, then don't bother, it'll be pointless at best, and harmful at worst. This was for a NYC firm, fyi.

That partner is probably a liar.

Either that or DaysToGo wrote a top-notch thank you letter.

When I used to do (non-law) hiring, a thank you letter only hurt a candidate. It was either immediately deleted because it was generic, or it was kept because it was awful. I never received a thank you letter that made me reconsider a candidate in a positive way. I received a couple thank you letters that made me shred the candidate's resume, though.