Done With OCI? 5 Tips for Your Thank-You Notes
Done with OCI? Don't forget to send a follow-up thank-you note. Even if you didn't participate in OCI, a thank you note is crucial after any interview, really. But, how should you send it? When should you send it? Do you even send it? The answer to that last question is a resounding yes, by the way.
As for the other concerns, here are 5 tips to consider for your thank-you note to the firm(s) you interviewed with at OCI (or, just in general):
- Be prompt. If you plan to use snail mail, make sure it gets sent out right away, since mail can take up to a few days to arrive. The same goes for your thank-you email -- don't wait too long before you send it, or you run the risk of being forgotten or just viewed as unprofessional.
- Send an actual thank you card. Yes, we realize that almost everything can be done electronically these days. However, sending a thank-you note or card via snail mail still holds a certain advantage (they weigh far less than casebooks, for one). A physical card ensures that your email won't get lost in a pile of many, and will leave more of a lasting impression that could possibly set you apart from the rest.
- Follow-up, but don't be annoying. Make sure that you're not annoying in your follow-up. Thank them, but don't be obnoxious about needing to hear back, reminding them of your other potential offers, or just in general being a pest. You don't want to remind the hiring partner of one of those people from their law school days.
- Reiterate your interest. While it may seem redundant or obvious, it's still always helpful to reiterate your interest in a particular firm. This shows them that you're not just out to land any firm gig, but specifically their firm. Hone in on any niche or specialty practice areas, or other unique details about each individual firm that you send a note to.
- Personalize. Draw from the conversation you had in the actual interview and mention it in your thank-you note. Did you mention an outside interest like a favorite sports team, restaurant, or hiking trail to check out? This adds a more personal touch, and hopefully will also remind the interviewer and firm what they heard about you outside of the usual law-things and rote interview questions.
Sending out a thank-you note should be the easy and obvious part. Then, we sit back and wait. Good luck!
Related Resources:
- Hey 2Ls: 5 Things You Can Do With Your Time Besides OCI (FindLaw's Greedy Associates)
- 3 Ways To Land a BigLaw Job (Hint: It's Still a Pipe Dream) (FindLaw's Greedy Associates)
- Top 3 Job-Search Tips for 2013 (FindLaw's Law and Daily Life)