For several centuries highly educated people were in the habit of writing letters. When someone would show them a consideration or do them some favor, they would at their earliest convenience sit down and write them a thank you letter.  

Today all that has changed. Few people take the time to write letters in our super-rushed age and those that do are usually your elderly, old-fashioned people (Ronald Reagan used to write several letters every day he was in the White House). 

So here is a tactic with which you can stand out from the crowd and convince an interviewer that you are one of those rare individuals who still goes out of their way to express their gratitude in such a cultured way. 

If you know the name of your interviewer, you’re all set. Purchase some personal stationary at a card shop. Sit down and write a short note similar to the example below. Sign the note, stick it in the envelope, seal and stamp it.  

Have it with you during the interview. When you are on your way into the interview, scout the area for a mailbox or post office. When you leave the office after the interview, immediately slip your note into the mail. It’s important that the note is dated correctly or the entire effort may appear clumsy and insincere.

Since you mailed it so quickly, your interviewer is sure to receive it in a day or two, just about the time he’s making a decision about who moves onto the next level of interviewing or is actually making the final hiring decision. Either way you win! 

Your interviewer will, at the very least, be impressed by such a considerate gesture. This is a quick and easy way to instantly soar up into the top 2% from which most hiring is done. 

                                                                                          October 21, 2011

Dear Mr. Miller,

I very much enjoyed our recent discussion.  

After reflecting on the information you shared with me, I feel confident that I could help Apex Corporation achieve its corporate goals. 

I very much look forward to discussing this further with you in the near future.

Sincerely,

John T. Applicant