Interview follow-up note: First or last name usage?

[Steven Oppenheimer <Steven -at- OppenheimerCommunications -dot- com>]

Having recently passed the patent bar, and now being a licensed patent 
agent, I've started on the interview process.  An old college friend, an 
attorney, put me in touch with a patent attorney here in DC.  I had an 
informational interview earlier this week, but it was the type of interview 
that may lead to some work directly with the people I met with, at least on 
a contract basis.  So, of course, I want to send a follow-up thank you note.

So, simple question:  Do I address the note as "Dear John",or "Dear Mr. 
Smith"?

The interview was very casual, very relaxed -- I felt more like we were 
like peers discussing a possible business relationship, rather than like I 
was some junior person talking to a senior person, trying to gain entry to 
a whole new career (after all, I do have fifteen years in tech 
writing....).  So first person usage seems natural and appropriate.  On the 
other hand, I don't want to presume too much.  I don't know, do people have 
any general policy on these things?

Any and all input is much appreciated.

Steve O.

Steven Oppenheimer, M.A.
Oppenheimer Communications
Technical and Business Writing:  From Complexity To Clarity (SM)
Steven -at- OppenheimerCommunications -dot- com   http://www.OpComm.com (301) 468-9233
"Transitioning from tech writing to patent work. Input, ideas, and leads 
appreciated...."



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