Spotlight on Katie Ohotto, March Winner of the Females in Food Spotlight Award

We are thrilled to announce Katie Ohotto as the third recipient of our Females in Food Spotlight Award, recognizing her remarkable contributions to the food and beverage industry. This award celebrates women who have exhibited exceptional leadership, innovation, and dedication, all while actively promoting the advancement of women within the industry.

Katie Ohotto epitomizes excellence in every sense. Through her career in Food Safety and Quality Assurance, she has made a transformative impact, taking its duties to new heights. With a systematic and strategic approach, Katie has elevated food safety and quality practices, ensuring that the highest standards are consistently met. Her dedication to excellence is unwavering, and her commitment to driving continuous improvement is truly inspiring.

Beyond her technical expertise, Katie possesses a unique talent for nurturing growth and fostering an environment where individuals can thrive. She believes in the power of empowerment, enabling each person to reach their full potential. Katie’s ability to recognize and celebrate the achievements of her colleagues has fostered a culture of mutual appreciation and recognition within the organization.

Katie’s leadership extends beyond the workplace. She is a passionate advocate for holistic well-being, leading invigorating yoga classes over the last eighteen years both within her communities and workplaces.  Additionally, her passion for reducing food waste and supporting local communities through substantial donations to food banks exemplifies her dedication to community welfare.

Moreover, Katie is a champion for sustainability and ESG practices, demonstrating her commitment to creating a better future for all. Her tireless efforts in promoting food safety and prioritizing the well-being of people make her an exceptional candidate for this recognition.

Katie’s commitment to empowering women extends beyond her professional role, as she actively mentors and supports aspiring female professionals in their career journeys. Her dedication to fostering diversity and inclusion sets a shining example for the industry, inspiring others to champion gender equality and create a more inclusive workplace for all.  

We are honored to recognize her as the March winner of the Females in Food Spotlight Award. Congratulations, Katie, on this well-deserved recognition. Katie Ohotto has recently joined Post Consumer Brands as Vice President of Quality & Food Safety, Pet as of March 25th, 2024. We wish her continued success in her new role!

Females in Food Hosts Reception at Natural Products Expo West 2024

Press Release, February 14th, 2024

Females in Food (FIF), the pioneering professional platform dedicated to narrowing the gender gap across all sectors of the food and beverage (F&B) industry, is proud to announce its upcoming reception at the Natural Products Expo West 2024.

The event will be held on March 14th from 5:15pm to 6:45pm at the Doria Room in the Westin Hotel, Anaheim. Attendees of the Expo are invited to join FIF for an evening of connection, empowerment, and refreshments.

The event is open to all women in the F&B industry who are passionate about driving positive change. Registration along with more information can be found here.

Females in Food is honored to have the support of Tetra Pak, Retail Partner Solutions, and In Food Marketing and Design as sponsors for this event.

To learn more about Females in Food and to join as a individual or corporate member, click here.

Endangered Species Chocolate: A Sweet Journey of Doing Good Better

Located in Indianapolis, IN, Endangered Species Chocolate (ESC), has been creating premium chocolate since its inception in 1993. In the visionary pursuit of “doing good better” the team at ESC has embraced a mission for delivering joy through exceptional chocolate and championing conservation organizations. This unique combination is brought to life through the company’s 10% giving program, as well as a commitment to sourcing and creating premium products that deliver on consumers wants and needs from confectionery goods.

“After years of growth in the natural food space, as well as the discovering the core of what drives excellence in leadership, ESC has evolved and formalized our vision into the aspirational pursuit of doing good better,” says Whitney Bembenick, Chief Revenue Officer at ESC. “Our mission to ‘seed joy through abundant giving’ is enabled through our values to serve, give and cultivate others. Living, breathing, hiring, firing and making major decisions through the lens of mission, vision and values has been transformative for the future health of our organization.”  

Placing mission, vision and values at the center of the organization is what the company believes will unlock it’s next 30 years of success.

“About two years ago we realized that our vision was really a business objective or ‘big hairy audacious goal (BHAG)’ – and while envisioning a day when we would give forward $1M annually was aspirational for growth, it was not visionary enough,” Bembenick says. “It did not embody the reality of ESC, which is to conduct business in a restorative manner that not only does good immediately but also creates a ripple effect towards a thriving future.”

Indeed, from the beginning ESC has sourced sustainable cocoa. Of course, in the 30 years since ESC was founded, sustainable certifications have evolved and become more prevalent in the industry. Today, Endangered Species Chocolate currently participates in two sustainability programs: FairTrade America and Cocoa Horizons. Bembenick suggests that both of these systems empower cocoa farmers to enhance their quality of life while also fostering a sustainable future.

“The lens of sustainability is a gate keeper to doing business in all of our cocoa sourcing, processing and procedures,” Bembenick says.

Over time, ESC has adapted to modern innovations and recognized the vital role innovation plays in the industry, although it took the company some time to fully embrace this approach.

“After decades of success, we had fallen into a routine and were lagging behind the innovations and disruptions in our industry,” Bembenick says. “Thankfully, we began to realize we needed to pivot, setting in motion a domino effect of fantastic energy focused on our road map for growth and namely, innovation.”

Through a system called “jobs to be done,” the ESC team identified the key needs not being met today and developed product solutions that would close those gaps.

“At the onset of our pivot in 2022, we turned our traditional innovation funnel on its side and re-defined the filters of that funnel. We are no longer looking through a vertical tunnel of what influences the consumer, but instead tilting our head sideways to look through a cylinder that considers the market, the consumer and our mission, vision and values all at one time. 2024 will be a year of Endangered Species creating change for the category through innovative new products and business practices that do good better,” Bembenick says.

Looking Ahead

Bembenick believes that healthy organizations change and grow, therefore the company’s needs change. You, as an individual, take in and learn different things every day, therefore you change and grow.

“Syncing your growth to the needs of your team is the fuel that keeps refining and developing great leaders and great organizations,” Bembenick says.

After three decades of success in the confectionery industry, ESC is now bringing its unique energy to the natural foods space. While the average confectionery business generates 20 to 40% of its revenue from seasonal products, ESC, until 2024, generated less than 1% from seasonal collections.

“Starting in 2024, we are bringing the shopper re-sealable bags of seasonally shaped chocolate for every major season – for example, koala bears for Valentine’s Day and bats for Halloween,” Bembenick says. The company has also experienced significant growth in the baking sector and boasts the fastest-growing market share in natural chocolate baking chips. Through partnerships with major retailers like Walmart, ESC is set to more than double its presence in the baking aisle in 2024.

Inside the chocolate category, Bembenick says that ESC is bringing three flavors of perfectly sized mini truffle bars, wrapped individually in packages of five. At just 150 calories a piece and made with coconut oil instead of palm oil, these delicious treats serve ESC’s customers in one of their biggest areas of need: indulgence without the guilt.

 ESC also recognizes that chocolate shoppers craves unique and creative experiences that taste delicious, so combining the company’s high-quality chocolate with a clever experience has proven to be an ideal avenue to explore.

“To cap off a year filled with innovations, we’re excited to introduce what we coin as the category disruptor: ‘Dip ‘n Joy.’ This product taps into a deeply rooted behavior of consumers breaking off chocolate from their bar of choice and dunking it directly into their jar of peanut butter at home,” Bembenick says. “Marrying that behavior with modern lifestyles and nostalgic forms we created a single-serve product of chocolate batons nestled next to a valley of peanut butter, caramel or almond butter for the perfect convenient snack. As you can tell, 2024 is the year we are going to deliver on our road map to growth through the pillar of innovation.”

Celebrating Leadership: Sandie Deas Ray’s Journey in the Food and Beverage Industry

As the calendar rolls into February, we are thrilled to introduce our second winner of The Females in Food Spotlight Award, a recognition that celebrates outstanding contributions to the food and beverage industry. This month, we shine the spotlight on the remarkable Sandie Deas Ray, whose achievements and dedication are worth celebrating!

Sandie’s expertise in the food and beverage industry shines through her key achievements and expertise. She is a strategic thinker, renowned for crafting marketing strategies that consistently deliver tangible results. Her mastery of multi-channel marketing has led to innovative and highly successful campaigns. Sandie’s customer-centric approach, coupled with her ability to connect with customers and understand their needs, has played a pivotal role in her professional journey. As a cross-functional team leader, she has inspired teams to achieve exceptional results, fostering a culture of collaboration and success.

Sandie leads her team with passion, candor, and a respect for diverse perspectives. She excels in developing clear priorities, eliminating obstacles, and motivating teams to deliver exceptional results. Her infectious enthusiasm for both big and small wins is evident, and she takes pride in recognizing the accomplishments of her team and helping them reach their individual goals.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Sandie is a strong mentor in her community and at work. She is leading the establishment of the first formal employee resource group at Ruiz Foods. Ruiz Women offers a forum to support, encourage and elevate women by providing training, career development, and mentorship to build key leadership competencies. This helps the organization immensely by strengthening the pipeline of women emerging leaders. It also provides and encourages seasoned women leaders at Ruiz an opportunity to uplift and coach emerging leaders as well as for each of us to celebrate our passion for industry.

Sandie’s advocacy for women is not limited to mentoring; it extends to her professional endeavors. She has played a crucial role in promoting women representation in leadership roles within the food and beverage industry, exemplifying the spirit of collaboration and growth that defines her.

In her current role, she has actively supported women-owned agencies and advocated for their success. Sandie’s belief that the entire F&B industry can collaborate and grow together reflects her sharp mind and commitment to fostering a thriving, symbiotic industry.

Sandie embodies the qualities and values that The FIF Spotlight Award celebrates. Her  journey in the food and beverage industry, her dedication to empowering others, and her unwavering support for women in leadership make her a true inspiration.

Join us in congratulating Sandie Deas Ray as the February winner of The FIF Spotlight Award. Her story, experiences, and wisdom will undoubtedly inspire the entire Females in Food Community.

Celebrating Danyel O’Connor – A Mentor At Heart

As we kick off 2024, we are excited to recognize the first of 12 women who won the Females in Food Spotlight Award. This award is more than just a token of recognition; it’s a celebration of the achievements and unwavering dedication of these women. It’s a testament to their resilience, creativity, and passion, which have not only catapulted them to the top of their respective fields but have also inspired countless others to dream big and reach for the stars.

Join us in celebrating the first recipient, Danyel O’Connor. Danyel is more than a name in the food and beverage industry; she is an inspiring CEO and symbol of mentorship, empowerment, and leadership. 

Danyel’s belief in mentorship and visibility as key tools for female representation is not just a philosophy; it’s a practice she has embodied for years. Her dedication to mentoring women, especially working mothers, has created ripples of positive change. Her recent participation as a panelist at Naturally Minnesota’s “Women in CPG” event underscores her commitment to building a supportive network for women.

“Danyel represents the best of the best, always ready to uplift others with her wisdom and experience.” – A mentee’s testimony.

Her tenure at Good Foods saw increased profitability and significant growth. Her passion for sustainability led her to spearhead strategic planning initiatives and collaborate with the Wisconsin Sustainable Business Council. Now, as the CEO of Cravings by Chrissy Teigen, Danyel is applying her vast experience to spearhead growth in the brand’s CPG business. Her strategic insights have already marked significant impacts across commercial strategy, marketing, and product innovation.

Danyel’s influence isn’t confined to boardrooms and business strategies; it extends into her local community. Along with her son, she volunteers at The FOOD Pantry Serving Waukesha County, WI, demonstrating her belief in giving back and making a difference at the grassroots level.

As a leader, Danyel not only breaks barriers but also builds bridges for other women in the industry. Her journey and achievements are a beacon of hope and inspiration, showing what can be accomplished with passion, dedication, and a willingness to support and uplift others.

Danyel’s story is a testament to the power of mentorship, the importance of visibility for women in the food and beverage industry, and the incredible impact one individual can have in paving the way for future generations.

We congratulate Danyel O’Connor on her well-deserved recognition and look forward to witnessing her continued impact on the industry and beyond. As we celebrate Danyel’s incredible achievements and contributions, let’s also extend our warmest wishes to her as January is her birth month! Happy Birthday, Danyel! May this year bring you as much joy and success as you’ve brought to the industry and those around you.

Sosland Publishing, Edible Chemistry Consulting, and HighGround Dairy Join Forces to Elevate The Females In Food Community

Press Release

Chicago, IL – Calling all trailblazing women in the Food and Beverage industry and those aspiring to make their mark! Females In Food invites you to join us in the heart of Chicago for an exclusive evening of networking and empowerment. Females In Food is a community dedicated to advancing high-achieving women in the Food and Beverage industry. We believe in the power of connections, resources, and opportunities to elevate women’s careers in the F&B industry in an effort to close the gender gap at the top.

Additionally, Females in Food acts as a trusted advisor and partner to F&B companies in attracting, hiring, and retaining experienced women from every sector of the food and beverage industry. This Chicago event is made possible through the generous support and sponsorship of three industry leaders: Sosland Publishing, Edible Chemistry Consulting, and HighGround Dairy. This event serves as an example of industry collaboration and support for the Females In Food community’s mission to empower and advance women in the Food and Beverage sector.

The sponsorship from Sosland Publishing, Edible Chemistry Consulting, and HighGround Dairy showcases their dedication to fostering diversity and excellence within the industry. Join us for this impactful event that will not only facilitate networking but also celebrate the unity and support of industry leaders towards achieving the Females In Food community’s goals.

Event Sponsors:


Sosland Publishing
 – Sosland Publishing is a distinguished business-to-business trade publishing company owned and managed by a family of editors and publishers who are dedicated to delivering indispensable content to the food industry. Their content-centric approach sets them apart in the publishing world, and their unwavering commitment to the highest editorial standards enables them to serve advertisers and industries with excellence.

Edible Chemistry Consulting – Edible Chemistry Consulting, a woman-owned company, was founded to assist companies of all sizes in developing scientific processes to solve the unique challenges that arise during the development, scale-up, and commercialization of beverage, dairy, supplement, and food products. With over 15 years of industry experience, Edible Chemistry Consulting provides the expertise and tools necessary to create success rooted in science.

HighGround Dairy – HighGround Dairy is a leading provider of global dairy analysis, research, and opinion, as well as hedging strategy, derivative execution, and insurance services. They empower industry professionals to make informed decisions by leveraging their decades of US and international dairy and grain market experience. HighGround Dairy tailors’ solutions for clients across the entire dairy supply chain, meeting their unique needs.

Join us for this exciting event and experience the power of networking, collaboration, and empowerment in the Food and Beverage industry. To secure your spot and learn more about this event, please visit https://femalesinfood.community/for-individuals

For media inquiries, please contact:

Angela Dodd

Founder

contact@femalesinfood.community

Celebrating Exceptional Women in the Food and Beverage Industry: Announcing the Winners of the Females in Food Spotlight Award

Press Release: October 19th, 2023

We proudly unveil the inaugural winners of The Females in Food Spotlight Award, recognizing women who have made a significant impact on the food and beverage industry. These outstanding leaders have shown innovation, dedication, and a strong commitment to advancing the industry.

The Spotlight Award: A Recap

The Spotlight Award was conceived as a tribute to the women who have made significant contributions to the food and beverage industry across various sectors, including CPG, Retail, Food Service, B2B Suppliers, and Consultants. These women were nominated for having demonstrated not only exemplary leadership, innovation, and dedication but also a deep commitment to empowering others and advocating for women’s advancement.

We are thrilled to introduce you to the 12 phenomenal women who will be taking center stage as the recipients of The FIF Spotlight Award.


We’ll be spotlighting one winner each month over the coming year beginning in January 2024, sharing their stories, experiences, and wisdom with our community. In addition to receiving this spotlight, each winner also receives an annual membership to the Females in Food Community (valued at $348).

Meet the Trailblazers

Meet the inspiring women who are the inaugural winners of The FIF Spotlight Award. Click on their names below to see their LinkedIn profiles and follow along on LinkedIn @FemalesinFood.Community to learn more about each of them as we spotlight each winner in 2024.

  1. Jaime Underwood
  2. Yifat Rogers
  3. Julia Jones
  4. Darla Rieg
  5. Taylor Clarke
  6. Sandie Deas Ray
  7. Danyel O’Connor
  8. Colleen Madden
  9. MJ Kinney
  10. Tiffany Putland
  11. Katie Ohotto
  12. Angela Pumo

Join Us in Celebrating Excellence

At FIF, we are immensely proud of these outstanding women and their incredible achievements. We invite you to join us in celebrating their excellence and dedication to the food and beverage industry by reaching out to them or sharing this article.

Thank you for being a part of our community. Together, we can continue to support and empower women in the food and beverage industry, ensuring that their contributions are celebrated and acknowledged.

Media Contact:

Angela Dodd
Founder
Contact@femalesinfood.community

Embracing the Rise of Female Fractional Experts: A Post-Pandemic Path to Flexibility and Talent Acquisition in the Food and Beverage Industry


The world has moved beyond the initial throes of the COVID-19 pandemic, but its transformative impact on the workplace continues to reverberate. Remote work, once a temporary necessity, has given rise to lasting trends that are reshaping the way we work. From an amplified desire for work-life balance to an increased focus on holistic well-being, employees now seek greater flexibility in their professional lives. This shift has propelled individuals towards the gig economy or even self-employment. As Western economies grapple with persistently tight labor markets, talent shortages loom large in key sectors, highlighting the need for innovative solutions. In this post-pandemic era, fractional employees—also known as fractional experts—have emerged as a unique and advantageous option for both small and large companies seeking talent.

The Departure of Women from the Workplace:
While the pandemic has played a significant role in reshaping work dynamics, it is important to acknowledge that women, in particular, have been leaving the workforce for various reasons even prior to the crisis. Surprisingly, women leaders are switching jobs at unprecedented rates, surpassing their male counterparts in leadership positions. The Women in the Workplace report of 2022 reveals that women face belittling microaggressions, shoulder additional responsibilities to support employee well-being and foster inclusion, and prioritize working for companies that value flexibility, employee well-being, and diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The Emergence of Fractional Employees:
The confluence of a tight labor market and the departure of women from traditional employment has created a unique opportunity for companies in search of talent. Enter fractional employees or fractional experts. Kantha Shelke, Principal of Corvus Blue LLC, aptly describes this trend as an opportunity for women to leverage their skills and experience without being constrained by non-negotiable demands such as motherhood or caretaker responsibilities. Fractional hiring enables enterprises to gain a competitive advantage without incurring the recruiting, hiring, and training costs typically associated with acquiring full-time employees.

Benefits for Employers and Employees:
Fractional employees offer a compelling value proposition for both employers and employees, enabling them to achieve the flexibility necessary to meet their respective needs. Companies can engage fractional experts for various purposes, such as additional staffing during peak periods, coverage for employees on leave, or to access specialized skills and expertise on a project basis. According to Tiffany Putland, Founder at Smart Start Solutions, individuals are drawn to this arrangement due to a desire for a better work-life balance and a departure from the rat race. Fractional experts can focus on projects without being burdened by unnecessary meetings or irrelevant emails, leading to heightened productivity and a stronger focus on core objectives.

Unlocking the Potential in the Food and Beverage Industry:
In times of economic uncertainty, the adoption of fractional experts represents a significant advantage for the food and beverage industry. By engaging fractional employees, companies can realize cost savings through contract work, minimize recruitment expenses, expedite the hiring process, and gain confidence in their ability to access exceptional knowledge and expertise. As Jaime Underwood, Principal of Edible Chemistry Consulting, eloquently expresses, being a fractional team member allows her to impart new knowledge and witness the empowerment and growth of employees. The lab and production floor thrive with individuals who possess the confidence to troubleshoot and make informed decisions.


The post-pandemic world demands adaptable solutions to the evolving needs of both employers and employees. Fractional experts have emerged as a powerful force in meeting these demands, offering flexibility, specialized skills, and cost-effective talent acquisition. As companies navigate the challenges of a tight labor market and changing work dynamics, embracing the rise of fractional employees becomes an essential strategy for success. By tapping into this rich talent pool, organizations can unlock exceptional knowledge, maximize productivity, and thrive in the dynamic post-pandemic landscape.

Unveiling the Leaky Pipeline: The Importance of Retaining Women Leaders for a Thriving Dairy Industry

What do you imagine it’s costing you, or more specifically your organization, in terms of time, money and resources to invest in developing emerging leaders who don’t stick around long enough to become your senior leaders?

Well, the answer is…A trillion dollars… That’s what U.S. businesses are losing every year due to voluntary turnover (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Voluntary turnover costs money. But, as any leader or manager knows, turnover has many costs that never register directly on a spreadsheet.

Losing your best people means losing your reliable winners, your constant innovators and your most effective problem solvers.

Internally, it significantly erodes team morale, while externally, it leads to the loss of valuable customer relationships. Considering that a significant proportion of this voluntary turnover comprises women, it becomes imperative for the Dairy industry, as well as the broader Food and Beverage industry, to undertake systemic changes.

Some of the top factors pushing women to depart from their roles include a lack of flexible work arrangements, inadequate paid family leave benefits, micro-aggressions in the workplace, inequitable pay, and a lack of development and career progression opportunities.

By investing in and supporting women leaders, organizations can drive long-term success by tapping into diverse perspectives and in turn, enhance innovation. While the root cause to these problems has been detailed by many researchers and experts, at Females in Food, we know first hand that if the solution was singular or easy – the industry would have already achieved gender parity in the industry.

To achieve meaningful and sustainable progress towards gender equality, the dairy industry needs to focus on two broad goals: getting more women into leadership positions and retaining the women leaders they already have.

However, two pipeline challenges put gender equality out of reach for most companies; the broken rung and the fact that women are leaving the workplace at the highest rate than in years past.

According to the 2022 Women in the Workplace report, we have seen modest gains in representation over the last eight years, however, with only 1 in 4 C-Suite leaders being women, they are still dramatically underrepresented.

Put the glass ceiling aside, the Broken Rung phenomenon is causing women to fall off the corporate ladder in droves. The broken rung refers to the phenomenon where women are disproportionately underrepresented in leadership positions, particularly at the first step up into management. This is a problem in the workplace for 4 reasons:

First, it limits diversity and the range of perspectives and experiences that are brought to the decision making process.

Second, it perpetuates gender stereotypes; when women are consistently passed over for promotions, it reinforces the idea that women are less capable than men in leadership roles.

Third, it can lead to a lack of role models; when women don’t see other women in leadership positions, it can be difficult for them to envision themselves in those roles.

Fourth, the economic consequences for an organization and the broader industry are real numbers that can’t be ignored. We know that when women are not represented in leadership, the earning potential and overall economic growth of a company and industry is reduced.

In a 2023 poll of 168 women in the dairy industry by IDFA, 61% of respondents said their gender has played a role in their missing out on a raise, promotion, key assignment, or chance to get ahead and nearly half of the respondents believe women have fewer opportunities to advance in their organization than men.

These are sobering statistics for the Dairy industry and part of the reason women are leaving the industry and workforce at greater numbers than ever before. It’s time for the dairy [and broader F&B] industry to take action and create a more inclusive and empowering environment for women to thrive and lead.

Together, we can do this by addressing the root causes for why women are leaving. Additionally, organizations can create workplaces that foster and champion women’s contributions such as implementing career development programs, mentoring and sponsorship initiatives, fostering community and networking opportunities, and adopting inclusive policies which are essential steps toward building a more equitable industry.

In addition, it’s important to recognize that women and men need different kinds of networks to succeed. In a recent study by Harvard Business Review, it was found that women who have a diverse and tight inner circle of female contacts are more likely to land executive positions with greater authority and higher pay. Women leaders are hungry for connection with other women who are or who have been on a similar journey and desire a place where they can candidly ask for help, share ideas, and receive ongoing professional development. This can be achieved by establishing internal ERG groups or by allowing female employees to join membership associations, such as Females in Food.

In order for the Dairy {and broader Food and Beverage] industry to thrive, it is crucial to acknowledge the need to address the existing leaks in the leadership pipeline. By doing so, we can prevent the loss of exceptional leaders and avoid wasting valuable time and resources on recruitment and development efforts that do not yield sustainable returns. This entails conducting a thorough assessment of what works and what doesn’t for women within your organization, setting specific and measurable goals for improvement, and holding yourself and your leaders accountable for driving progressive change.

It is essential to believe that change is possible and within our grasp. We must recognize that it starts with individual actions and a focus on progress rather than perfection. As the saying goes, “We can go fast alone. We can go further together.”

Start by initiating the important conversation within your company, knowing that there is industry support and valuable resources available through groups like Females in Food, which are dedicated to facilitating the necessary and desired shifts.

Let us remember the wise words of Ruth Bader Ginsburg: “Real change, enduring change, happens one step at a time.” By taking these steps together, we can create a more inclusive and prosperous future for the F&B industry.

The Interview Isn’t Over Until You Write A Thank You Note

Two women sitting at a table during a job interview

When the interview is over, it’s never really over. Sending a thank you note after an interview can really set you apart from other job applicants, however, what you say in that note can even influence hiring decisions. According to a survey by Accountemps, 80% of hiring managers find post interview thank you notes helpful when reviewing candidates. Yet, only a fourth of hiring managers ever receive thank you notes from applicants, meaning taking 10 minutes to compose such a note to the interviewer is one of the easiest things you can do to set yourself apart.

By sending a thoughtful thank you note, you are signaling you’re a serious candidate who respects the interview process and all the time and effort that goes into it.

What to say in a thank you note:

+ A greeting that details your appreciation (the “thank you” part).

+ Something specific about the interview or items discussed. If you promised to follow up on an answer or additional thoughts on a topic, be sure to do so in this section.

+ Why you see this role as an exciting opportunity

+ A brief explanation of why you’d be a good fit for the job. This is your chance to sell yourself – don’t be shy!

+ Next steps and your contact information

Mistakes to avoid in a thank you:

+ Making it generic or identical to the thank you’s you sent to others you interviewed with at the company

+ Confirm that you have the company and interviewers name correct

+ Keep it concise — no more than a page. This should read more like a memo

+ Sending too soon or too late. Be sure to reflect and put thought into the note, but don’t take too long as the interviewer may feel you aren’t eager or really interested.

Occasionally, you may want to go old school and send the note via snail-mail (however, 94% of HR managers say it’s appropriate to send a thank you note via email) . But that largely depends on the culture of the company you you’re applying to. If they emailed you, you’re fine emailing. If they reached out by phone or mail, consider putting your note in the post.

Any way you choose to send your note, it is important that you only send one to each person following each interview round. You don’t want to overwhelm or inundate the interviewer with multiple thank you’s.

The Post- Interview Thank you Template

Here is an email template of a short and sweet post-interview thank you note.

A Final Thought

If you don’t hear back right away, that is okay. We recommend waiting 5-7 days before following up. You can reply to your original email expressing interest one more time. If there still isn’t a response or feedback within the time they promised, you may want to consider taking this as a red flag about the workplace culture you may be dealing with.

Respect and communication are important from the start and the employer is not the only one interviewing (Avoid Job Regret and Interview Your Future Employer) . It is just as critical that you take note of what they say – and don’t say – during the interview process and reflect on your holistic experience before accepting an offer.

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