After an interview, you might wish to send some follow-up correspondence in order to solve a problem or to present a proposal. I have already shown you some examples of thank-you letters and notes that were sent following an interview. In some cases, a longer or more detailed letter would be appropriate. The objective of this type of letter is to provide additional information or to present a proposal.
In some cases, you could submit a comprehensive proposal that would essentially justify your job. If there were already a job opening available, you could submit an outline of what you would do if hired. If no job were available, you could submit a proposal that would create a job and state what you would do to make hiring you pay off.
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Many hiring managers prefer correspondence via e-mail. It's easy, free, and instantaneous. Therefore, if the timeline on hiring is short, e-mail would have an advantage over regular mail. When you are interviewed and the employer gives you his or her card with an e-mail address, corresponding via e-mail is generally acceptable. However, if you have a formal cover letter or thank-you note template and send these as e-mail attachments, make sure they are in a universal format such as Microsoft Word, WordPerfect, Rich Text, Adobe PDF, or HTML. Always mention the format of your letter in your e-mail message. If you are ever in doubt about whether an employer can open your attachments, you should directly type (or copy and paste) the cover letter or thank-you note into the body of your e-mail. Although the regular mail service has improved considerably since the Pony Express days, it still takes a day or two to send and receive a thank-you note locally. Although a mailed letter often looks more formal than an e-mail letter, it may not be received in time for consideration. Consider the advantages and disadvantages of each method. Essentially it boils down to speed versus formality. |
In writing such a proposal, you must be specific in telling the hiring manager what you would do and what results these actions would bring. For example, if you proposed you could increase sales, how would you do it and how much might profits increase? Tell employers what you could accomplish and they may just create a new position for you. It happens more often than you probably realize.
Whatever the situation, your post-interview letter should present any concerns the employer may have had with you during the interview in a positive light. For example, if the employer voiced concern over a lack of specific experience, you would address his or her concern by stating that you are a quick study, self-motivated, and detail-oriented. Once you have put the employer's concerns to rest, reinforce your interest in the job (if you are sending a post-interview letter). Include a statement like, "After hearing more about the job, I am even more certain my skills and education will be beneficial to your company. I am eager to begin working for you and will call next Tuesday to inquire about the hiring decision."