Thank-You Notes

Thank-you notes are not just for Junior Leaguers anymore. We recently heard from a high-ranking editor at Time, Inc., that she doesn't consider an applicant's package complete without it. "If it's missing from their package, people notice,'' she said. Thank you notes serve to reaffirm your interest in the position or news organization, remind the person of your meeting, what the two of you discussed (remember each recruiter meets many people), and what was special about you. You can include that one important thing you forgot to say at the interview or a great new story idea for that news organization.

A thank-you note should follow every job interview, internship interview, informational interview, referral, or favor that a contact does for you. Send the note as soon as possible, preferably within 24 hours of the meeting.

If you have extensive points to make about yourself that weren't covered in the meeting, you will want to send a formal letter along the lines of a cover letter. However, for more informal thank you notes, you may send a handwritten one provided you have good handwriting. If the person has given you his/her e-mail address, it is also okay to send e-mail. However, when in doubt, send hard copy.