Interview "Thank-You's"

[Idiopathic]

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The interviewers fill out our evals immediately, it is apparent. Should we send a thank-you card to the PD after our interview, or should we wait until closer to match day?

 

[cchoukal]

My philosophy on thank-you notes was that it was a good chance to get your name in front of their face again, and associate it with something positive. It's all about brand management. I would actually go into interviews trying to raise some topic that could then later be referred to in the thank you note to make it more personal (e.g., some hobby of theirs, some research paper or something). Given that approach, I sent notes earlier so that my reference wouldn't be so obscure some 4 months later. I can see your point, though, about getting your name in their face right when it counts... Like all of the little piddly things we worry about (I went thru this last year), it probably doesn't make much difference.

 

[Fro]

There's this new-fangled thing called email
give it a try
no one reads written cards anymore or even sifts through the piles of mail

 

[Idiopathic]

There's this new-fangled thing called email
give it a try
no one reads written cards anymore or even sifts through the piles of mail

Thanks for not answering my question. But at least you were sarcastic.

 

[SmittySC]

There's this new-fangled thing called email
give it a try
no one reads written cards anymore or even sifts through the piles of mail

Your point is taken. However, people also blow off a lot of emails too with all the junk emails that go out. A hand written thank you note is much more personal. Also, with the explosion of email the hand written note is becoming a lost art form.

As to the initial question. You are sending the note to thank the person for their time during the interview. Therefore, it is more appropriate to send it shortly after the interview. You can always send corrospondance later in the year reexpressing you interest in a program. Taking second looks later in the year are always a valuable tool also

 

[raptor5]

Is a hand written note appropriate if you have crappy handwriting.

 

[LovelyRita]

I watched the PD at a program I was at recently sifting through his emails. The chief resident forced him to do it b/c he only does it once a month. I couldn't help but glance....he drifted over the "serious" ones and went straight for the jokes. 🙂

 

[Butch]

My two cents ...

1. A thank you note is a courtesy to the interviewer. Attendings are busy with clinical, research, and administrative responsibilities. They are also trying to run the high-quality residency programs that you are applying for. Thank them in a polite and straightforward manner.

2. A thank you note should not be a long discussion on your interview. It should not be some sort of coded message about how you are ranking the program. Many people do not heed this advice. You should send a letter to your number one choice after you complete your interviews.

3. Send the thank you note as soon as possible. If not, they will build up. I had classmates with lots of letters to write. Use the return trip to write your letters.

4. Handwritten notes are best. Use proper stationary and a good pen. Few do this nowadays and it stands out. Type-written is next best if you have poor handwriting. Email is adequate, but not as appreciated.

 

[carol ann]

Alrighty, there are always people out there who do not write thank you notes, and this one goes out to you.

I'm currently and intern and we each have an early year meeting with our PD to go over "our files" and the criteria they use to monitor us and stuff. For us, everything was in a big binder including our applications. She flipped through the book and noticed my thank you notes (apparently they do keep the handwritten ones) and commented that it was a very smart thing for people to do for two reasons 1) it shows you are a decent person with good manners, 2) it shows you are interested 3) the PD office keeps track of those notes and are more likely to make it to your file than email notes.

An appropriate note takes 5 minutes to write and is just the right thing to do.

My 2 cents.

 

[carol ann]

x

 

[Idiopathic]

So, just so I know. I had 5 interviewers, pus the PD at UF. 6 notes, then? Assuming I send out one to the PD, should I also thank my individual interviewers? I want to, but want to make sure I know what is welcomed.

 

[BigBadBix]

4. Handwritten notes are best. Use proper stationary and a good pen. Few do this nowadays and it stands out. Type-written is next best if you have poor handwriting. Email is adequate, but not as appreciated.

OK, forgive my ignorance. What exactly constitutes "proper stationary" in this setting? Do I need to buy something specific, or can I just use a simple but professional thank you card?

 

[cchoukal]

I actually used stationary with my university's seal. Again, brand management; you want to keep your stats/app right in front of them.

 

[Butch]

OK, forgive my ignorance. What exactly constitutes "proper stationary" in this setting? Do I need to buy something specific, or can I just use a simple but professional thank you card?

No problem.

Any stationary will do. It does not have to be fancy or expensive. I refer to stationary as opposed to regular lined or unlined paper (i.e. the type you would use for writing papers and taking notes).

 

[Butch]

So, just so I know. I had 5 interviewers, pus the PD at UF. 6 notes, then? Assuming I send out one to the PD, should I also thank my individual interviewers? I want to, but want to make sure I know what is welcomed.

In many specialties, there are greater than 10 interviewers per program.

As I mentioned earlier, a thank you note is a courtesy to those who spent time interviewing you. I would send a thank you note to all interviewers. I would also send one to the program director even if he/she does not interview you. The PD certainly spends enough time reviewing and sorting through applications to warrant a thank you note.

I would ask for an interviewer's card (most physicians have them) at the end of the interview.

Best of luck to everyone during their interviews.

 

[BigBadBix]

Thanks for the responses regarding what type of stationary to use. I already had to send one and I wanted to be sure the cards I used weren't totally inappropriate. I do like the idea of using school stationary, though, so I'll look into that.

I think Butch makes a good point about thanking all interviewers for their time, especially after a conversation I had today with a faculty member who does interviews. He said he really enjoys interviewing, but that they do take up a considerable amount of his day once you factor in the additional time spent writing an assessment of each candidate. I'm sure there are other busy faculty who feel the same way. A note acknowledging this is probably appreciated by many and ignored by the rest. I doubt anyone would be bothered by receiving one, but of course you never know.

 

[niagara]

So are thank you cards considered too "cute" or not professional enough? Should I just write a note on regular paper? I know this is a minor detail but just thought I'd get everyone's opinion.

 

[Poety]

So are thank you cards considered too "cute" or not professional enough? Should I just write a note on regular paper? I know this is a minor detail but just thought I'd get everyone's opinion.

I sent emails immediately after detailed about the conversation, then followed up with very short but sweet "thank you for taking the time to interview me" (literally) handwritten to the interviewers/PD/coordinator.

No one wants to read 100 thank you's that are lengthy, by making the more lengthy one (i.e. 2 paragraphs) an email, I think I made it easier for them to read it at their leisure then they could delete or print if they wanted to. (or not read it at all) The written was for the gesture alone - but I agree with the others, written can get time consuming if your "courting" a program and I don't think anyone wants to see a whole letter of intent.

Handwritten with not the greatest handwriting and put on very nice stationary that I have for all of my business correspondance. I wasn't about to return to catholic school days to improve my penmanship - legible should be good enough.

Just my .02