Are email thank you notes okay?
Dear Deb, I recently had an informational interview with a friend of a friend over the phone. I would like to send a thank you note, but I only have her email address. It seems really awkward to ask for her mailing address, so can I just send an email thanking her? — Judy* in Atlanta.
Hi Judy!
Despite– or maybe because of– the fact that we communicate so much by email nowadays, there is still something very special about a handwritten thank you note, especially in the case of informational interviews. Part of the whole point of such a conversation is not only to gather information about a person/career/company you are interested in, but also to make a good impression so that maybe, just in case an opportunity should open up down the line, the interviewee will remember and think favorably of you! Bottom line, a handwritten note is better, bonus points for a nice-looking card. Do a little bit of internet research to try and figure out her company’s mailing address, and if that doesn’t work, just email her and ask for the info (you can even say something like “Thank you so much for chatting… I’d love to add you to my contact file, may I have your mailing address?”). Then send the note via regular snail mail, ideally within a week.
