Thank-You Notes: An Integral Part of Your Career Design

There is one little practice that is vital to generating the interest of potential employers. It is critical, but very few job seekers actually do it.

What is it? The THANK YOU NOTE!

Interview experts agree that EVERY job hunter MUST send thank-you notes after EVERY interview. They also point out that most people completely ignore this bit of wisdom.

In order to have a huge advantage over the other candidates for the job you want, send thank-you notes to EVERYONE you meet the day of the interview--administrative assistants, managers, interviewers, people you met who already do the job you are targeting, and so on.

One of my resume clients (let's call him Mike) is a Certified Arborist and Tree Care Professional in the San Diego area. His goal is to move into the consulting arena.

Very soon after speaking on the phone with the owner of a prominent tree care company, Mike mailed a brief note thanking the owner for his time and consideration. Within a week, the owner called Mike and offered him an informal mentoring arrangement to help Mike learn more about the consulting side of tree care.

Mike decided to pass on the offer and continue his job search, and he recently landed a very nice position. He sent me an e-mail about his recent job-hunting activities saying, "...and just so you know, the thank-you letter has got to be the block that keeps the door open. I sent out three letters and subsequently got three offers."

If you're not convinced yet, the following reasons outline the significance of sending thank-you notes:

  • Sending a thank-you note demonstrates that you are good with people. You employ the most basic of people skills--a show of gratitude.

  • It helps companies remember you after the interview. You can restate your interest in the position, especially if the interview went well.

  • You can use the thank-you note to summarize a few of the main points discussed at the interview. You can also add anything you forgot to tell them.

  • It has the potential to increase your affinity with those who have the authority to hire you.

  • It shows that you are serious about your career design.

  • It indicates that you are organized and on top of details.

  • It demonstrates that you went out of your way to show interest in the company and/or position.

  • If they decide not to consider you for the position, perhaps they know of another opportunity that suits you. You can mention this in the thank-you note, asking them to keep you in mind.

    The post-interview thank-you note doesn't have to be fancy. Here's an example:

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you today. As we discussed, my 10-years of outside sales experience is a perfect fit for XYZ Widgets as you expand into the Pacific Rim. In light of your plans for Asia, you'll find my Japanese language skills to be of great value.

    Feel free to contact me at 555-1234 should you have additional questions. I am very interested in the position.

    Thank you again for your time and consideration.

    Regards,

    Jane Doe

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    OK. You now know the impact a thank-you note can have after an employment interview. Are there other opportunities to send them?

    Absolutely! The general rule is this:

    After ANYONE has done you even the smallest favor during the job-hunt/career-design process, send the individual a thank-you note.

    Was a receptionist at a company you phoned while doing research exceptionally helpful? Did one of your colleagues take five minutes to help you with a cover letter? Did somebody who already does the job you want to do provide you with some valuable insights? The job hunt can be frustrating. Was someone particularly encouraging?

    You should send each of these individuals a brief hand-written thank-you note expressing your gratitude for their time and assistance.

    To reiterate: A thank-you note goes to everyone who helps you, gives you leads, or provides advice or guidance even in the most infinitesimal way. That includes friends, people at companies or organizations you've visited while doing your research, temp agency personnel, administrative assistants, receptionists, librarians, company employees...ANYONE!

    Here are a few thank-you note guidelines:

    • Address the note to the specific individual with which you spoke. Personalize it. Avoid an obligatory, mechanical tone. Mention something about your conversation or how the individual treated you.

    • Thank-you notes following an interview should be printed out on quality stationery with letterhead matching that of your resume. Remember to sign it!

    • A conservative, handwritten thank-you card is appropriate for all those friends, colleagues, and casual contacts that have helped you along the way.

    • Send thank-you notes the very next day, at the latest. If it arrives a week later, the meaning is lost.

    • If you e-mail a sentiment of gratitude, follow up with a thank-you note or card in the mail.

    Use your best judgment -- these are just guidelines.

    The thank-you note is critical to your getting noticed and to the success of your job hunt. And because most folks either forget or just plain don't do it, you'll find yourself at a significant advantage.

    About The Author

    Peter Hill is president of Distinctive Resumes, a resume consulting firm based in Honolulu, Hawaii. He can be contacted through his website: http://www.peterhill.biz; distinctiveresumes@yahoo.com

    In The News:

    • pen paper and inkwell


    cat break through


    The 10 Biggest Career Change Mistakes - And How to Avoid Them

    Career change is no walk in the park.If it was... Read More

    Writing Great Cover Letters

    Cover letters are an essential ingredient to your complete résumé... Read More

    Hunting the Executive Head Hunter

    5 tips to win over an executive head hunter or... Read More

    How to Get the Job You Want in Any Economy... Act Like a Headhunter

    Having spent the last few years of my career in... Read More

    Stripper--Turned--Waitress Cant Leave Former Job Behind

    She stretches in the break room for 30 minutes before... Read More

    Formal Business Attire is Making a Comeback

    The dot com boom of 1990s brought with it a... Read More

    The Surefire Way To Getting A Pay Raise

    If you are working for someone else, it is important... Read More

    Job Search: The End of the Line

    There is an end to the job search tunnel!It has... Read More

    Searching for an IT Job

    Looking for an IT job is one of the easiest... Read More

    Lost Your Job? Ten Ways to Bounce Back!

    Whether you've been right-sized, downsized, underutilized, or just plain fired,... Read More

    Job Search Techniques: Smashing The Gray Ceiling

    For decades, women have chaffed at the invisible glass ceiling... Read More

    The Perils Of Employment: Are You About To Be Let Go?

    From the moment you are born and you take your... Read More

    Five Powerful Tips for Interns

    Interning is about more than earning money during summer break.... Read More

    Your Job Search Is A Marketing Campaign (Part 2)

    Here's a continuation of my article from a few months... Read More

    Internships: Bonkers or Brilliant?

    I have something to say that's driving me batty. It's... Read More

    Staying In Shape

    Why Lawyers Should Eat Bananas by Simon Tupman is a... Read More

    Job Interviews: What to Wear

    It takes between seven and seventeen seconds for a person... Read More

    5 Interviewing Tips To Get That Job!

    Anyone who is a jobseeker knows that looking for a... Read More

    Adapting To Change In A Changing World

    Have you learnt a new skill or improved upon your... Read More

    Behaviour To Climb The Stepping Stones To Career Success

    The heading of this article could just as well have... Read More

    Mystery Shopping for Fun and Profit

    How would you like to get paid to go shopping?... Read More

    Is Your Career Your Calling or Just a 9 to 5?

    Do you remember your parents asking you what you want... Read More

    Job Search Secret #1

    The job search secret that is so powerful it will... Read More

    Powerful Phone Interviews

    Phone interviews are de rigueur with many organizations.Companies conduct phone... Read More

    Get Dressed and Get Hired

    Tying a tie properly may tie you to your next... Read More

    Ready to Move -- Anywhere!

    "I have lived in this city all my life. My... Read More

    How to Become a Successful Freelance Translator

    After completing their translation training programmes at higher professional education... Read More

    Self Describing Skills - Key Strengths

    You need to be the best you can at describing... Read More

    Sample Resume Objectives: Read, Dont Copy

    The resume objective statement is typically something that trips people... Read More

    Your Interview Questions Are a Serious Matter

    Of course interviews are mainly about you answering the questions... Read More

    Are Your References Ready?

    One of the most common forms of background check performed... Read More

    Travel Light to Work

    As a frequent traveler, my goal for each trip is... Read More

    Finding Employees For Insurance Industry Jobs

    Finding the right employee for any job opening can be... Read More