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The key to securing the position you want is showing your potential employer that you are the most qualified candidate. It is not about how great your resume looks or what you did at your previous job, but how you will solve their problems. Only half the battle is won at the interview. The final winning blow is dealt at the end with your follow up letter.
It is quite obvious that you will be promoting your skills and work experience during the interview, but make sure you walk out of the meeting with a clear understanding of what the specific job responsibilities are. Because an effective follow up letter does not just thank the interviewer for her time and consideration, but also reconfirms each key qualification of the position and explains how each one will be met by you.
Before you leave the meeting make sure you have the interviewer's business card. You will need their full title and the correct address for your follow up letter. Right after the interview (you may want to do this in your car before you leave the premises), quickly jot down some notes about the interview. Include everything from the specific job qualifications to the idle chitchat about their favorite sport.
The follow up letter must be mailed out the day of the interview -- within 24 hours. Start the letter off with a short comment about something you discussed outside of the job, like a common love for a particular sport or some comment about their recent vacation (hopefully, you "broke the ice" with some fun, casual conversation). This will immediately put a smile on their face as they read your letter. Next outline the key areas of responsibility and show them exactly how you will fulfill their needs. Then end the letter with a statement about how much you are looking forward to working with them. Keep the letter short and to the point. In this dog eat dog world, sending an effective follow up letter will make you leader of the pack.
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