[Anonymous]

Hello,

Is it standard to send a thank you letter to your interviewers after a public accounting interview? When I was in accounting society in college, our officers always had us send thank you letters after recruiting events. Also my current employer had me interview for his friend who needed an auditor. A couple weeks later, I remember my current boss asked me if I had sent his friend a thank you letter for the interview and whether it is still common practice to do so?

[PurpleK]

Yes, you should definitely send a thank you email within 24 hours of your interview.

I would not send a thank you email after a recruiting event unless you really connected with someone. I used to find it annoying to receive thank you emails after recruiting events.

Things to note:

1. Most interviewers do not read the thank you emails too carefully, however, they do take note of who sends thank you emails and who does not. If they are on the fence about you, a well written thank you email can make all the difference.

2. Do not copy and paste and send the same email to different people at the same firm because they do compare emails once in a while.

3. Check your spelling and grammar. I have received more than one email addressed to… not me.

[Gabe]

I send thank you notes. I have a Great Dane, so my wife got me plain white thank you cards with a Great Dane embossed on the top…my boss still talks about it.

CPA, CFE
CISA- Experience will be completed by August 2016

[TNCPA16]

Yes, definitely still send a thank you note (either email or hand written). If I had 2 strong candidates I interviewed, all else equal, if one sent me a thank you and the other didn't…I'm hiring the one who sent a thank you.

[krschneids]

DEFINITELY send thank you notes. So many people don't these days and it really helps to set you apart. I live and die by handwritten thank yous because anyone can send an email. Get yourself a box of professional-looking thank you cards and practice writing neatly and legibly.

If possible, I would always hand-deliver my thank you cards the same day I interviewed. I got an internship and a full-time position at a firm this way.

AUD 79 (7/14)
FAR 78 (7/14)
REG 78 (8/14)
BEC 81 (10/14)

[Anonymous]

I definitely agree with the thank-you cards, but think that email is quite acceptable now. Handwritten still has an extra feeling to it, but mail time could be too late, and I think that personalizing it some after the interview is important, so wouldn't want to use something pre-written. However, if you have an opportunity to deliver it after the interview, it's definitely nicer than an email.

At the same time, though, an email a few business hours later (afternoon for morning interview or next morning for an interview late in the day) can help bring your name back into their mind so that they remember you. 🙂

[Anonymous]

Thank you for your advice everyone.

[GuitarSalad]

Thank you notes are definitely good, but the last two job offers I've received have come before I've even had the opportunity to send any kind of follow up correspondence. People are definitely right when they say that it can be the difference if a firm is trying to choose between two comparable candidates.

BEC 7/12/13 - 84
AUD 8/31/13 - 86
REG 4/11/14 - 84
FAR 5/30/14 - 88

Licensed AZ CPA - 10/2014

[Anonymous]

I've sent them and not gotten the job.

I've not sent them and gotten the job.

[Author]

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