How to say ‘thank you’ after a job interview

Many people think it’s a good idea for job hunters to send a “thank you” after being interviewed by a prospective employer. The question is whether to do it by e-mail or regular mail.

Hotjobs.com, an online employment search site, says the kind of thank you should depend on the organization’s culture. But if you opt to send one by e-mail, make sure you choose a legible, conservative black font. Never send your interviewer an electronic greeting card and don’t copy others on the e-mail. Always spell check your work before you send it.

Make sure you send the e-mail promptly. It’s not unusual for an interviewer to forget who you are two days after you’ve met.

If you decide to send one by hand, write your message in ink, not pencil, and have someone proofread your note. When you make a mistake, throw out the note and start again. Mail it within 24 hours of the interview.

Former Enron employee, Jon Pope, above right, was busy earlier this month meeting with job recruiter Samira Shafi in Houston.

Survey: Avon provides women with best opportunities

The National Association for Female Executives has cited Avon Products Inc. as having the best opportunities for women among Fortune 1,000 companies.

The association, which issued a list of the top 25 companies for women executives, noted that more than half the cosmetics maker’s board of directors are women and that women run nearly half its divisions.

To make the list, a Fortune 1,000 company must have at least two women on its board, a high proportion of women at all levels and a rising number of women in senior management.

Joining Avon in the top 10 were children’s book publisher Scholastic Corp.; apparel maker Liz Claiborne Inc.; insurers Aetna Inc. and Washington Mutual Inc.; Prudential Financial Group; private pension operator TIAA-CREF; computer maker Hewlett-Packard; The New York Times Co. and Wellpoint Health Networks Inc.

Others on the list included Consolidated Edison, drug maker Merck & Co. and IBM Corp.

Motley Fool: Name that company

I’m 165 years old and came to life as a small family-run soap and candle company in Cincinnati. My celestial logo dates back to the 1850s. I recorded $1 million in annual sales in 1859 and take in about $40 billion annually now. I sell more than 250 items in 130 nations to more than 5 billion consumers. My Cheer-y and Joy-ous customers shout Olay! They’ve a Zest for my Bounty, which Cascades over their Head and Shoulders and Pampers them. It’s no Secret that they Sure have a Gleam in their eyes and a Bounce in their step, Always. Who am I?