Using a current company letter head for a thank you letter

[DunebuggyN82]

When sending a thank you letter for an interview should I use my current employers company letter head? I want to do this because it looks more professional, and shows my experience in the fire service. Would I be crossing any lines in doing this? I want to send a positive message, and am unsure if this would give the wrong impression to a future employer?

[nmfire]

No you should definitely not.

[ffbam24]

No.
It's practically a conflict of interest.
Plus a slap in the face towards your current employer/department.
Go buy some nice heavy bonded paper.

[BoxAlarm187]

Absolutely not! Your prospective employer would not be impressed with your "experience", they would see this as a transparent attempt to stand out from everyone else with a simple piece of letterhead.

Like you were told in the shirt thread, stand out with your test scores.

[LightsAndSirens]

With the t-shirt question and this one, you seem way too eager to prove you're with another fire department. That's what applications, resumes, letters of recommendation, interviews and background checks are for. I'll just reiterate what you've already been told. Sending a thank-you letter on your current fire department's letterhead would look incredibly tacky. If you get a letter of recommendation from one of the officers at the fire department where you are now, they'll more than likely use that same letterhead anyway. Regardless, don't do it. I would recommend doing what ffbam said and print your thank-you letter on a nice piece of bonded paper, hopefully, the same paper you'll print your resume on. Myself, I like to buy a small box of all-purpose thank-you cards and handwrite what I want to say. I think that looks more genuine, but that's just me. If you're going to handwrite a note, though, make sure to type it up on Word first to eliminate most possible errors. Either way, good luck!

[3rdFloor]

I've come to fire administration from the corporate world and, in my former world, writing a letter on your current employer's letterhead would be seen as embezzlement. That paper belongs to your employer, not you.

Go buy your own paper.

[arff42]

Is it a bad idea to use a letterhead from the agency you are testing with?

[SCSmith]

Is it a bad idea to use a letterhead from the agency you are testing with?

Yes.

This has been another edition of "Simple Answers to Stupid Questions."

[mtnfireguy]

Who wants the job, you or you current department?

[arff42]

Is it a bad idea to use a letterhead from the agency you are testing with?

Yes.

This has been another edition of "Simple Answers to Stupid Questions."

Good thing I have never done it and there is no such thing as a stupid question.

[NvrGivUp]

You're right, there is no such thing as a stupid question, But there are questions that lack common sense. Common sense being a trait looked for in canidates.

[arff42]

You're right, there is no such thing as a stupid question, But there are questions that lack common sense. Common sense being a trait looked for in canidates.

Lucky for me I am already a fulltime firefighter. Instead of insulting me, maybe you could post something positive or helpful next time.

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

When sending a thank you letter for an interview should I use my current employers company letter head? I want to do this because it looks more professional, and shows my experience in the fire service. Would I be crossing any lines in doing this? I want to send a positive message, and am unsure if this would give the wrong impression to a future employer?

DO NOT DO THIS! You are a firggin' candidate who is looking for an entry level job. You're a kid! Alot of you think that all of your percieved experience is going to get you the job. In reality, your maturity, your willingness to do any job (ie; cleaning the bathroom, washing the dishes, rolling hose, sitting in the right place, learning your job) and the attitude that you are the right person for the job is what gives a positive impression. Not your attempt at one-upping another candidate by showing them you are a know-it-all.

If you want to send a positive message, make sure your letter is grammatically correct, is properly constructed, is addressed to the appropriate person and has no spelling errors. Make sure it is delivered in a timely basis.

Plain white paper, basic font, two or three short paragraphs, signed legibly, sent in a plain white business envelope with a return address and an appropriate address are what sends a positive message.

[notabuff]

write the thank you letter on dept. paper, be sure to send it via the city mail room (i.e. use their postage), send a company tee shirt along with the letter, and most importantly, send a polaroid of yourself writing the letter in full bunker gear. that'll do it.

what's wrong with you people?

[paceyourrace]

O my gosh no, most companies would consider that stealing if you used their letter head to write a thank you note for an interview.

Good Luck,

[JayDudley]

Absolutely not. I will not echo what has already been said. You need to do what George has said and please do not use your current employers letterhead.