Well,

1. It is a cultural difference. I never did it and found it strange when I received some when interviewing people. By now I know that in Asia and the US it is apparently the done thing. In Germany and Switzerland it is considered a bit pushy. Do you want to appear a bit pushy? If you are applying for a sales position: YES. Otherwise probably less so...

2. I am interviewing people right now and a simple rule of thumb: If I don't give you my phone number or email address (typically in form of a thing called "businesscard") during an interview... let's just say that a thank-you email won't make a difference.

I would rather different.

What is the aim of an interview? To know you better right?

Do you have an idea of position you will be interviewed?


If i would sent an email would be to:
1) Thanks for opportunity
2) Knowing better:
a) the position
b) what they are looking

This, in order, to save their time and yours.

That is always what i did. No point in setting up a long process interview to find out they want a german fluent when i am not but i can learn just to give an example.

i read on süddeutsche zeitung weekend edition that 47% of HR people in Germany wish for a "thank you" kind of feedbackmail. i never did it, but now do it depending on the interview. because the outcome was sometimes "make up your mind, think about it" and thats what i did: thought about the job and gave them my feedback.

my GF was interviewed last week. they had certain doubts if she is the right candidate. she went home n thought about the contras and summed up the interview and told them again why she is the right one, what she brings along and how the doubts are quiet invalid, how she faces the challenges once she has signed the contract. voila...2nd round yesterday.

theres is no "overall needy". it really depends....

God, I HATE it when people bring data and facts to a perfectly good debate and spoil it

I don't know.

But I hope that decisiveness isn't an important part of the job - I think you got all the input you're going to get already

i wouldnt write a thank you-email unless i was there in person, for the real interview. id be busy all day thanking tel-calls when in the applying process.

47%?

That's cleared it up then

and HR folks! they have time

Are we talking about the same people that can't be bothered to send you even a 'Thanks, but we've decided to with someone else' email when their search is closed?

This conversation thus far has been about how the hiring manager views a thank you letter. Something I think that is important for all of us to remember is that, the interviewee isn't necessarily the desperate one in these situations.

The interview is as much an opportunity for the hiring manager to get to know the candidate, as it is an opportunity for the prospective employee to interview the candidate employer as well.

If the hiring manager or HR rep come across as being a snob, egotistical, ungrateful, or someone who doesn't care for their workspace or their already on-board employees, then they could also just as easily be snubbed.

Obviously there is a vacancy to be filled and to be filled by a competent and capable person. But you don't want to alienate your job applicants by looking down on short thank you note in a globalizing market because it's not the "Germanic" or "European" thing to do? Or do we want to go back to the old practice of actually formally notifying all applicants about their non-selection with a kind and personalized thank you letter, instead of a canned, automated, cold and impersonal email?

__________________
I would sooner have you hate me for telling you the truth than adore me for telling you lies. - Pietro Aretino

I believe that Mr. M. was more pointing at the fact that the majority then clearly does not need or maybe even want a thank you email...

I have an open door policy. Every employee can walk out... ;-)

If you have a genuinely good feeling about the interview and about the person who set it up, then thank them. If the whole thing left you feeling neutral, then don't bother. There is no point in giving out thanks just for form's sake, be honest with yourself and with them.

What about sending the interviewer a box of chocolates?

Cheers,
Nick

Well, you would be sure, unless the name is so totally common that you can expect multiple homonyms in the same company...
I think writing a small, sweet note is a good idea. Also, i would wait a few days - so that the reminder comes to the appropriate person just in time when it is needed.
Why not write to the address you have, asking for the correct one? politness is much appreciated, and will only speak in your favour.

And, no, it doesn't say "desperate", it is just appropriate and may filter you on top of the pile.

In Switzerland it is considered normal to drop by on a camel and offer a gift of myrrh at this time of year. Try rubbing the oil into the interviewer's lower back area to soothe away the stress of personnel selection.

Oh, and good luck!

At the end of the interview as you are leaving is probably a good time to do it...

What about sending me a box of chocolates? I'll send one to the interviewer and make sure she gets thanked.

yes, right! plus peeps here saying "oi, im friggin busy, dont bother me with your interview etiquette that labels you simply as needy". and so my remark "makes sense" because many people are saying HR is useless anyway plus cant be busy (relevant) so that its obvious why they appreciate such thank- you-emails: they have the time to read through.

Thank you all. I did send a very short thank you email and I am having my second interview tomorrow !

and my GF signed the contract last week to start 01/12. hooray for thank you-eMails!!