Thank you card to interviewer??

[WannaBRxDr]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hey guys-
I just read in the city newspaper that more and more students are sending thank you cards to their interviewer for admissions to college...anyone do this? anyone have an opinion on this??

 

[PharmDY]

Hey guys-
I just read in the city newspaper that more and more students are sending thank you cards to their interviewer for admissions to college...anyone do this? anyone have an opinion on this??

I send Thank You emails because they're faster than regular mail.

 

[PharmDstudent]

Hey guys-
I just read in the city newspaper that more and more students are sending thank you cards to their interviewer for admissions to college...anyone do this? anyone have an opinion on this??

I don't like the idea of it, but if that's popular, you should go for it so that you don't seem ungrateful. In my opinion, the words thanks and thank you are being used in vain for the sake of politeness.

I'm not really thankful when the cashier at the grocery store takes my credit card, swipes it, and gives it back, but at least that's all they do. I guess I'm telling them "thank you" for doing their job right.

 

[nerv12345]

^go to asian countries (specifically not so urban towns) and i think you'll appreciate the thank yous

 

[SPharmN]

Back to the topic, should we send "thank you" letters to college INTERVIEWERS or not? I think that's very fake and ass sucking. But if it's necessary, then it's a different story

 

[PharmDstudent]

Back to the topic, should we send "thank you" letters to college INTERVIEWERS or not? I think that's very fake and ass sucking. But if it's necessary, then it's a different story

I may not be the queen of etiquette on SDN, but I know its value. Like I said, if it's popular, then write a thank you card. It may be the new "norm". We are all part of an entwined society that we have to live in, so you should do what's necessary to maintain the status quo unless you are nihilistic or think that it could be done in a better way.
I don't want anyone to be rejected from pharmacy school because they didn't send a $1.50 thank you card! I just don't know what's necessary in every situation, so I can't tell you whether or not you have to write one.

 

[PharmDstudent]

^go to asian countries (specifically not so urban towns) and i think you'll appreciate the thank yous

I really want to visit Japan. My friend lived there for 6 years, and he is married to a Japanese lady. They have the cutest kids. I wish I could speak half-Japanese. The most I know is mooshi mooshi, because I read it on a fortune cookie several years ago.

 

[futurerxguy]

I sent 5 thanks you cards.... I think. 3 to the members of the committee that interviewed me, the dean of the college that welcomed us, and the secretary that made packets for the candidates. The fact of the matter is this..... do not just say thank you.... that's plain. Thank them, but also add an unique personal touch to each one so they know exactly what they are being thanked for.

For example, I thanked one of my interviewers for the open style in which they interviewed me. I noted that they were very personable, and I thanked them for their time, of course. If they think you're sucking up, then really it means nothing. Make it worth it, if you are going to do it.

 

[lee0539]

I really want to visit Japan. My friend lived there for 6 years, and he is married to a Japanese lady. They have the cutest kids. I wish I could speak half-Japanese. The most I know is mooshi mooshi, because I read it on a fortune cookie several years ago.

why is mooshi mooshi on a fortune cookie? Isn't that only used as a greeting when you answer the phone?

 

[PharmDstudent]

why is mooshi mooshi on a fortune cookie? Isn't that only used as a greeting when you answer the phone?

It was a "how to learn Japanese" phrase.

 

[lee0539]

It was a "how to learn Japanese" phrase.

hmm... interesting fortune cookie. I learned most of my Japanese watching anime

 

[PharmDstudent]

hmm... interesting fortune cookie. I learned most of my Japanese watching anime

It was sort of like this: "You will experience a wonderful surprise towards the end of the month. Learn Japanese: mooshi mooshi is how you say hello on the telephone. Lucky numbers are: 7, 52, 36, 19, 23."
You see, they've added more than the fortune. If you could collect enough of those papers, I bet you could get by for a week or two in Japan. The only problem is that they repeat the same fortunes over and over again, because they have to fill all of the cookies with a fortune- I hope I didn't spoil it for anyone 😳. There's no way that they could come up with a million different fortune papers, so you're access to the Japanese language is limited.

 

[eelo]

It was sort of like this: "You will experience a wonderful surprise towards the end of the month. Learn Japanese: mooshi mooshi is how you say hello on the telephone. Lucky numbers are: 7, 52, 36, 19, 23."
You see, they've added more than the fortune. If you could collect enough of those papers, I bet you could get by for a week or two in Japan. The only problem is that they repeat the same fortunes over and over again, because they have to fill all of the cookies with a fortune- I hope I didn't spoil it for anyone 😳. There's no way that they could come up with a million different fortune papers, so you're access to the Japanese language is limited.

This is very funny to me. Fortune cookies are not Japanese. Heck, they're not even Chinese- they were invented by a restaurant marketeer in the SF area. But it makes no sense to have 'Japanese' fortunes.

I lived in Japan for 6 years; our youngest child was born there. It was exciting, frustrating, fascinating, interesting. Granted, as a military member, most of my contact was with other Americans, but it's still something I'm glad I did. They say you can enjoy the culture, but gaijin will never become Japanese. They don't want us to 'become Japanese,' not in the same way we want our immigrants to 'become American.'

 

[confettiflyer]

Thank you card is always good etiquette. However, given the speed of admissions, a thank you e-mail to those who interviewed you is probably a better idea. Keep it brief, don't seem like you're begging. I've always sent a thank you e-mail after job interviews.

And as for Japan....ahh, I miss it. I'll be going there this spring, I'm usually there every spring unless I'm in Europe, which is equally lovely in spring. Mmmmm....fish. 👍

 

[PharmDstudent]

I've been thinking about how we could merge the strategies in this thread...

The person who interviews you is equally as important as your response to that interview.
How about this- If your interviewer is very polite to you, then you should show politeness back perhaps in the form of a sincere thank you card. If they are more of the one-on-one type, maybe you could call them or send them a quick email. It really just depends on what your perception of the interviewer is. I wouldn't send an email to an older person who doesn't seem like the computer type. For example, my grandfather likes phone calls while my mother really enjoys the internet.

Try to get a sense of the interviewer prior to making your next move. Don't say any jokes or use word play in your cards, emails, or phone calls, because you may inadvertently offend them.

 

[PharmDstudent]

Come to think of it... if I were doing interviews, I would love a nice phone call. Phone calls play an important role in the pharmacy profession. Pharmacists have to talk to people over the phone all of the time. They talk to patients, nurses, doctors, drug reps, and insurance companies over the phone. It may be difficult for you to speak directly to your interviewer, but I would recommend it if you plan on following up.

 

[Jacky Treehorn]

Come to think of it... if I were doing interviews, I would love a nice phone call. Phone calls play an important role in the pharmacy profession. Pharmacists have to talk to people over the phone all of the time. They talk to patients, nurses, doctors, drug reps, and insurance companies over the phone. It may be difficult for you to speak directly to your interviewer, but I would recommend it if you plan on following up.

I tried that with two interviewers and they both did not remember me. One of them nearly hung up on me, and was upset that I had the nerve to call him when he was busy. 🙄

 

[PharmDstudent]

I tried that with two interviewers and they both did not remember me. One of them nearly hung up on me, and was upset that I had the nerve to call him when he was busy. 🙄

I'm sorry...that sucks. You've given everyone a little more insight into the whole "follow-up dilemma".
Honestly, all you can do is get a sense of who your interviewer is before you make the next move, and then proceed accordingly. I don't really see the value in sending a thank you card, but that's just me.

If you do call and they are willing to listen, make sure you provide enough details about yourself so that they know who you are. These are just a few suggestions, but you could say: I interviewed this day, I was wearing a ____ tie or ____ shirt, I'm from ______ university, we had talked about ____________, I really enjoyed hearing about your work as a _____________, etc.

 

[lee0539]

I would stick with email or card. Phone calls may be more intimate, but it takes up more of their time and it also looks too much like "kissing up" to get into the school. They aren't going to care how good of a talker you are on the phone, I find it more of a negative in hospital settings when I see nurses yapping on the phone while at work. They already talked to you in the interview and anyone who can speak coherently in public will be able to talk on the phone. With email/cards they get to your thank you when they have the time, so they in a good mood when they receive it. With phone calls its a huge risk if they are busy and no interviewer is going to want 50 students call them after the interview to get thanked, so if you call right after another person calling you might end up being annoying. They also don't want to try and remember someone and fake that they remember you, because they probably won't be able to if they have bunch of other students the same day.

 

[confettiflyer]

Yeah do not do a phone call...these are very busy people and you are more likely to cause harm this way. Stick to an e-mail or a simple card. Make sure the card is either delivered to the office/secretary the following day, or dropped in a local mailbox for same day/next day delivery.

 

[WannaBRxDr]

Thanks for all the suggestions! I decided to send a school-themed, sincere thank you card saying that I enjoyed the interview, his open and conversational style, and that I hope to work with him again in the future. Now i have to wait until after nov. 7th...

 

[Tuck]

The best way to go about having a favorable interview and a good follow up is to get to know the staff before you go. I went in person to tour the school and talk to the staff months before I ever applied and continued to keep in touch with the advisors. When it came time for an interview I already knew most of the people and spent most of my time talking about the final four after the obligatory questions were done. While I did not send any thank you card, I did buy a round of drinks after I recieved my admission letter. This may not be an option for some people who are applying out of state, but letting the faculty really get to know you and showing a strong interest significantly improves your chances of admission.

 

[lee0539]

The best way to go about having a favorable interview and a good follow up is to get to know the staff before you go. I went in person to tour the school and talk to the staff months before I ever applied and continued to keep in touch with the advisors. When it came time for an interview I already knew most of the people and spent most of my time talking about the final four after the obligatory questions were done. While I did not send any thank you card, I did buy a round of drinks after I recieved my admission letter. This may not be an option for some people who are applying out of state, but letting the faculty really get to know you and showing a strong interest significantly improves your chances of admission.

Hmm... it is a nice advantage to get to know the staff beforehand, but in some cases they don't tell you who will review you and contact information so you can talk to them. And some schools have different people interviewing (like random students and professors), so its only an option if there is a specific person/group who interviews everyone. Which school were you able to talk to the staff that interviews you before even being interviewed?

 

[Tuck]

OSU/OHSU. I took the time to get to know most of the staff so that was not really a problem. I got to know them well enough to get a recommendation from one of the pharmacists that taught at the school for my pharmacist recommendation letter. Even so, with 1000 applicants for 60 spots after early admission that is not a guarantee. Having a 4.0 in all my prereq sciences probably had more to do with getting in than anything else, but it definately helps your case to be known by the staff. (unless your a complete tool)

 

[rxgrl08]

Hey guys-
I just read in the city newspaper that more and more students are sending thank you cards to their interviewer for admissions to college...anyone do this? anyone have an opinion on this??

I sent a thank-you e-mail to my interviewer since she gave it to me on her business card. I did send one to the admissions office as well. I also mailed thank-you cards to my references. It makes it really personal. Sending a thank you shows character and that you really appreciate the opportunity that they are giving you. I recommend that everyone do it.

 

[spacecowgirl]

I say always err on the side of good manners. It hasn't failed me yet. You'd send a thank you after a job interview, right?

I sent thank yous to my references, my preceptors and all of my residency interviewers. They are taking time out for you, how can it hurt to set yourself apart from others by thanking them for that?

 

[futurerxguy]

This must be at least part of the interview etiquette! I was ACCEPTED TODAY! Woohoo !

 

[campharm]

Congrats Futurexguy,
Which school is it?
campharm

 

[futurerxguy]

NEOUCOP, which is a newer school in Northeastern Ohio. Thank you for the congrats! I can't wait! Now, just to get through the next two semesters of prereq's so I can officially go, and I'll be good!

Have a good day!

Shawn (Futurerxguy)

 

[drugdoc]

ALWAYS a good idea to send 'thank you' cards to your interviewer. It will make you stand out and is the correct etiquette.

 

[budacup]

I've sent Thank You cards to my letter of rec writers. I've heard of people giving their letter writers a gift card. What do you guys think of that?