Thank-You Letters: Email or Snail Mail?
Adapted from Spherio: http://employee.spherionexchange.com/start.cfm

E-mailed thank-you letters put your name in front of the interviewer on the same day, even within hours of your interview. But is it acceptable?

Some statistics

• According to a recent Monster poll, 65 % of Monster employers say they expect a thank-you note of some kind and 36% say they actually prefer thank-you notes sent by e-mail, surpassing the 29% who would rather receive the traditional letter.
• In a survey conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, three out of four employers said that an e-mail thank-you note is acceptable.

 

Guidelines to consider

• As with all e-mail correspondence, pay special attention to the length of the note. A couple of brief paragraphs thanking the person and reinforcing the fact that you want the job and that you have the qualifications required, is sufficient.
• The same formal wording should be used as for paper correspondence including using the appropriate salutation and ending with a signature that includes contact information.
• The e-mail subject line should indicate what's in the content of the note (i.e., "Interview Follow-up" or "Thank You for the Interview”).

 

To e-mail or not to e-mail

• As with any job search strategy, take into account your specific circumstances and weigh them in making a decision whether or not to send your thank-you note by e-mail. If you have done all your correspondence with the department by e-mail, it will definitely be appropriate to send your thanks by the same route. 
• On the other hand, if the department is formal and traditional, the old fashioned method of mailing a hard copy thank-you note should be considered.