Is it appropriate to send homemade treats in lieu of a thank-you email, after an interview?

manpreet Best Answer 3 years ago

I had an interview yesterday at a firm I have been chasing for many months.

I felt the interview went well, though I was a bit nervous.

In my interest section on my CV I have written that I went to a culinary school a few summers ago, and it was actually a discussion point in the interview.

I wonder if it would be appropriate to send a box of homemade cupcakes, brownies or similar along with a hand written note? Or should I stick with the traditional route of email? I'm seeking unpaid intern work.

I'm in the UK (London) and a bit worried it may be interpreted along the lines of bribery. I know that this sort of a gesture would be appreciated in many parts of the world, but I'm not sure if we in the UK are a bit too reserved and conservative?

They are an informal small firm - approximately 20 of them, all male. As a woman, if I do this, would I be setting myself up for "you belong in the kitchen"-type comments?

manpreet 3 years ago

I wouldn't, while there's a chance that it would just be appreciated as a nice gesture (and the cakes/brownies enthusiastically devoured) it would be unlikely to sway the hiring decision in your favor by any appreciable margin, and would you really want to work for someone who hired you for a non-culinary role based on your baking skills?

Worst case would be that they would view it as light form of bribery (which would be hard to dispute) and make a moral judgement against you as a result.