Thank You Letter

[Jdobbs]

Has anyone ever sent a thank you letter after a panel interview? I have sent a thank you letter for the opportunity to interview in other interview situations, I was unsure if this is common in the fire service though. Any thought's if this is something they expect?

[kyhunter42]

No, this is not something that they expect.

[CaptBob]

I don’t believe in thank you letters. Often panel members are not from the department you’re testing for and it’s hard for panel members to remember the candidates. The decisions can already be made before you can lick the stamp to mail your thank you letter. If it will make you feel and sleep any better go ahead and send them.

In all reality you have to make a high enough score in the body of your presentation for your oral board that is going to stun the panel into considering you before you leave the room. Instantly delivering, faxing or mailing thank you letters is not going to all of a sudden put the brakes on with those making the decisions who’s going forward to give you a second look. It just doesn’t happen that way. Those who were successful probably already had the job before they signed the thank you letter.

The problem is too many candidates don’t have their stuff in place before they walk into the room. Often it’s a huge error that tanks their score. For some they’re closer than they realize and only a few adjustments could make the difference.

[Jdobbs]

I understand how the panel interview works, scoring, etc. The idea isn't to change the panel's score. The idea is that you took the time to show you truly care about becoming part of the organization. Showing that it is a great accomplishment to have made it as far as you have in the hiring process and that it would be an honor to become part of the department. If I am going to do something I'm going to give it my all.

[KCFD2023]

Thank you letters are key! Although it may not get you the job with that department this time around, the panel will remember the added effort that you put forward. I have written two and they've been well recieved. Look at it this way, can it hurt you? No.

[OHFirestopper]

The question is, can they hurt you at all? and if so how?

[KCFD2023]

Good point. I am assuming you proof read the S$%^ out of it. I also suggest you send it to a few professionals as well for proof reading. If it is a good thank you letter it will only help.

[FFighterRob]

Thank them as you leave your interview. That is all you need to do, that is all that is expected, as well as what is normal.

Everyone is looking for a way to stand out and get the panel to remember them, but you want to do that by having a great interview. Why not offer to wash their cars or mow their lawns next week? It won’t change you score just like a thank you letter won’t, but it may put you into the same category.

One guy I talked to made a model of the departments training tower out of toothpicks and presented it in his interview. The model went to training and he didn’t. It just came off as odd. It isn't what you think is odd that matters, but what the panelists think is odd. If I sat on a panel for a large department I most likely wouldn’t remember you and if it were smaller it would just come off as odd to me. But that is me, if you really, really need to send letters it probably wouldn’t hurt you.

But I think where your energies are best applied, would show us the kind of guy you are, and may even help you, is in station visits and interviewing employees where you are testing. We had a guy come by our station yesterday, called first, brought some coffee, and had great questions to ask. He was dressed nicely, very respectful, told us about himself and took some of our joking very well. He thanked very nicely when he left.

Visiting stations and maybe talking to a chief or someone in the training department would help you. After the test is over I would spend my extra time and energy moving right into preparing for the next test, no matter how far off it is. That is something that really will help you get a job. A lot of departments don’t allow station visits or ride alongs when they are in the testing process. How cool would it be if you had a few and no one else did?

[paulLepore]

Spend your energy preparing for the interview. Become the most qualified candidate in respect to classes and certifications. Do really well on the interview. This will make a much better impression than would sending a thank you note.
Best of luck to you,