Internal Interview Follow-up: Thank you Note

Submitted by James Martinetti
in
Career Management

Should I personally deliver my thank you note to the hiring manager for an internal interview?  Should I use the note as an opportunity to close, even though I did not close during the interview?

I just finished up interviews for an internal position, which went well.  The only downside was that I did not close with the hiring manager, as the next interviewer was on his way in.  I regret not speaking up, but net of it is that I did not close as I had hoped.

So I have two questions:

1. Should I close in my thank you note?  I really want to, as I feel it could put me over the top, but I want to make sure that I am not breaking some cardinal rule by closing in writing without having done so yet verbally.

2. Do I personally deliver my thank you note?  I understand that the logical action here is to mail the note via inter-office; however the odds of having anything read that is sent via inter-office at my firm is practically nil.  I can easily deliver the note in person, and could perhaps use that as an opportunity to close, but fear that might be a bit uncomfortable for the hiring manager considering that the interview is over, and I want to be respectful of that.

Any advice here would be greatly appreciated!

Submitted by Artie Moffa on Friday February 11th, 2011 3:38 pm

 I would close in the letter. Maybe preface it with "Reflecting upon our discussion, I realize that [close]."
If inter-office mail isn't read at your company (really?), then send your letter through the mail. Use a stamp you paid for (not the Pittney-Bowes postage printer in the mailing room). Mail it from home or walk it out to the corner mailbox during lunch.
Actually, I think that's a good idea even at companies where inter-office mail gets read. Same reason you wear a suit and shake hands for in-house interviews, even though it's weird. You're saying: "I respect the process, I acknowledge there may be other, external candidates, and I'm not asking for special treatment."  You may expect (heck, you may receive) special treatment, since you're internal, but it's classy not to ask for it.)

Submitted by James Martinetti on Friday February 11th, 2011 4:18 pm

Thanks for the response.  Sounds like it might be unprofessional to deliver the letter in person.  I'll keep that in mind, but would welcome any other thoughts here.
Just to clarify, sending my letter through the mail would present the same issue.  Snail mail is not a commonly used form of communication at my company, and thus is not frequently picked up (if ever).

Submitted by Mark Horstman on Saturday February 12th, 2011 2:34 pm

I don't see anything wrong with hand delivering a note.  I wouldn't stand outside and wait if he or she has an admin, so you can truly "hand" it to him/her.  But I don't see how avoiding inter-office mail in your case is a bad idea.  Take it over.  Don't act as if the only reason you DID carry it was to finagle more time to close/schmooze.
And sure, closing in the note is fine.
Mark

Submitted by James Martinetti on Sunday February 13th, 2011 10:43 am

Great - I'll deliver the note in person and use the language above wrt the 'close' in the note.  Thanks so much for the feedback here.