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Not sure if this is the right area to post this question. So my apologies if not.

I just participated in a first-round group interview for the Apple Store. I know typically I should send a physical thank-you card. However, is that still effective for a proudly-technical company that does all contacts via email? Or is an emailed thank you more appropriate in this particular situation?

Thanks for any advice!

>Kathy

Smacquarrie's picture

Kathy,
Because you yourself believe that a written communication is antiquated, how many other applicants do you think will believe the same?
If sending a hand written notes helps you to stand out in a good way, why wouldn't you do it?
Technology companies will get several emails and will typically forget about who sent them. A hand written note would stand out even more in this case.

Mac

duplicate_account_MarkAus's picture

I recently had an unsuccessful interview with Apple and sent a handwritten thank you note.   The feedback on the note was positive.  

Smmacquarrie is right - it stands out in a good way.  There's no downside to doing it.    Jobs at Apple are very competitive, take every advantage you can get.

My advice would be to send an email thank you immediately following the interview and then post the handwritten thank you note, which will arrive a couple days after the interview.   This means your note keeps your name in their heads.

 

kjh_10's picture

 Thank you both for the advice.

 

Mac, I actually do not believe written communication is antiquated. I still send out cards and notes and letters. I just wasn't sure, with Apple being so very tech-oriented (plus doing all contacts with me via email), that an email wouldn't be more appropriate. But I really like your thinking.

 

Mark, thanks for confirming. I'll keep in mind your comment about taking every advantage.

 

I'll mail off my thank you to the manager tomorrow. And cross my fingers that I'll hear back from him, in whatever fashion he chooses.

 

>Kathy

kjh_10's picture

 I followed Mark's advice and sent an email this morn thanking the manager for the opportunity to meet him. I also asked if he'd care to join my network on LinkedIn, and provided the web-link. Then I sent an invite via LinkedIn. I figured even if he doesn't accept, he might at least look at my profile which won't hurt. Finished with I look forward to your consideration of me for openings at A.

And that's about all I can do for now, I think. Except cross my fingers and pray. And call maybe next week to follow up whether they've made their decisions yet. And hope.

Thanks for the help. It's greatly appreciated!

>Kathy

AGC's picture

When in doubt, always send a handwritten note.

When I was interviewing for a position several years ago, the hiring manager had me interview with a colleague with whom he worked closely, even though they didn't report to the same boss.  I wrote this interviewer a handwritten thank you note, which she showed to her boss.  On my first day, I was introduced to this woman, and she told me how impressed she was by my note.  (Remember - I didn't even write the note to her!)

I'm absolutely convinced that it played a role in my getting the job, and a few years and internal transfers later, I now report to one of her directs, and my relationship with her is still built on the foundation of that note, which cost me 10 minutes and a postage stamp.

cynaus's picture
Training Badge

I can understand your thinking in that Apple are tech-oriented and therefore would make the most sense, and I like the idea that a handwritten note would stand out. Unless you're an MT member, I doubt anyone else would think to do it!  

During my own time in HR and recruitment, I've never seen anyone send a handwritten thank you note, let alone an email. Maybe once I've received an email.  In Australia it's not 'the norm'. Perhaps the culture here has been that it's a bit of a 'suck-up' action/ teacher's pet type thing which is sad. The more professionals we have listening to MT and reading the recommended books, the better!

Good luck Kathy! Let us know how it goes.

Cyndy