Should You Send Thank-You Notes Abroad?

[bholas]

You've just left a job interview. What do you do? You call your mom, your partner and your friend, talk it through and then send your thank-you note. That’s good etiquette, right?

But suppose you have an interview in Japan, Germany or Mexico City. Is it still appropriate to send a thank-you note to the interviewer? And in what format should it be written?

Etiquette dictates such notes should be sent within 48 hours of the meeting. These letters are expected, and there are some general guidelines to follow, as discussed in many job-seeking guides. Thank-you notes for interviews should be typed in business letter format and usually consist of one to two paragraphs acknowledging the interview, pointing out a few important points that impressed the candidate and restating strengths as they relate to the job, if appropriate.

When the American Way Doesn’t Apply

But the thank-you note seems to be a relatively American phenomenon. According to several Japanese professionals, thank-you notes are not customary in Japan. While it may not hurt the impression you create, it is certainly "not something you should or are supposed to do," says one Japanese banker.

So in Japan, a thank-you note for the interviewer may not be necessary. But if that job lead was found through a connection or personal acquaintance, the person who introduced the opportunity often expects some expression of gratitude, like a small gift.

"In general, sending thank-you notes is not as common in Germany and Portugal as in the US," says former Monster contributor Elizabeth Kruempelman.

Generally throughout Europe, the employer is the one to follow up. According to one senior IT professional who has conducted interviews in several European countries, he has never received a thank-you note from a job applicant.

The same is true in the UK, according to Paul Harvey, new media manager at Fuel Inc. and a British national who has extensive experience in the United States. Harvey, who recently interviewed a number of candidates, indicates thank-yous are not common and may be decreasingly so.

A recruitment manager at Proctor and Gamble in the UK agrees, saying, "[Here], it is not common or expected to send any sort of thank-you note after an interview."

Latin-Style Gratitude

In Latin America, thank-yous are optional. In the past, they have been handwritten but are currently typed, at least in major Latin cities. As in Europe, the follow-up after an interview is usually the employer's responsibility.

How Americans Should Proceed

What does all this mean for the US global job seeker? Americans should be careful not to appear overly eager or aggressive -- an American stereotype -- by calling often to follow up and see how the interview process is progressing. While it is not inappropriate to send a note of thanks, it is generally not expected.

If you are dealing with a US company or an American interviewer, it is probably best to follow standard US etiquette even if overseas. American hiring managers looking for a global staff should remember that candidates they're interviewing from other countries may wait to hear from you. This signals politeness and respect in their culture, not passivity or disinterest.

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