I emailed a thank you to a contact who referred me for a job. He has not replied? Why?

Question

We were in communication until now and have worked for the same company previously. I also sent a nice thank you card even though I didn't get the job. He has not responded to either. Should I send one more email to ask why? If so what do I say?

Answer 1

No, you should let it go.  Some people just read an email and delete.  They don't think about replying back.  He could be on vacation for all you know and did not set an auto response letting people know he is away for a while.  You have done your part and shown him that you appreciated what he has done.

Answer 2

Because it's not necessary.  

Answer 3

Someone is not required to send a thank you for a thank you card.  Your actions of sending a note of thanks were appropriate, but no acknowledgment after that is required.

So if he thanked you for the thank you note, were you then going to thank him for thanking you???

Answer 4

He is either very busy, or does not consider your relationship to be one where he needs to attend to your intiatives.  It sounds like you may have a crush on him.  He probably does not know what to make of your thank you card.  Generally, thank you cards/letters are sent to the person that interviewed you - not referred you.  Don't email him, so he won't get the wrong impression.  If he wants to show you that he doesn't want anything more than a platonic friendship, he'll wait awhile and start emailing you again in about a month or so.

Answer 5

Thank You notes and emails don't normally require a response. In person someone would say "You're Welcome", but that's not usually the case with a written thank you.