Is sending a Thank You note old school? Does it make a difference? The Thank You note never goes out of style and is an important follow-up after an interview. It needs to be a part of your job search strategy and it needs to be completed in a timely manner. Let’s examine why it is so important.
Is the Thank You Note Necessary?
The answer is a big YES! CareerBuilder recently reported that 22% of employers are less likely to hire a candidate if they skip sending a thank-you letter. Everyone enjoys being thanked, including hiring managers and human resource officers. Sending a thank you puts you in a positive light with them and that “top of mind” edge can make a big difference.
Digital or Handwritten Note?
While handwritten notes are often kept and sometimes placed on a desk as a nice reminder, time is often of the essence in the hiring process. An advantage of electronic mail is it will be received immediately.
If you are excited about this opportunity, it is important to send both an email and a handwritten thank you note sent via U.S. mail. As soon as you get to the car after the interview is over, from your phone, send an email thank you note individually to each person that you met with. If you interviewed with two people, and a recruiter coordinated everything, then you will email the two people that interviewed you, and then send an email to the recruiter thanking for the opportunity to interview, as well as providing your feedback about the interview.
You can take a bit more time writing the handwritten note but send it as soon as possible. Be sure to write legibly and check your spelling. A handwritten note will make a big impression and help people remember you.
If you really did not like the opportunity, and are sure you do not want to move forward with them, then only an emailed thank you note is necessary.
Again, the email thank you note is sent before you leave the parking lot, and from your car.
What to Include
It should be a personal note, not a stock response or an online template. A personal note helps your submission stand out.
Be sure to include the following:
- Keep it short and sweet.
- Use a professional subject line – Job Title, Firstname Lastname–Thank You
- Thank them for their time and the interview.
- Include a sentence about your qualities of why you would be good for the job.
- Reflect back on the conversation/interview and mention at least one point that showcases your qualifications.
- If you told them you would provide something or send links, be sure to include them. Even if you didn’t promise them you can always send a link to an online portfolio or another item of interest that lends credibility to your application.
- Point out anything of importance that your interviewer neglected to ask.
- Sign with both your first and last name and your contact info. (There could be a dozen people with the same first name applying.)
Things to Remember
Prior to clicking send, remember to do the following:
- Proofread and spellcheck – Your document should be error free.
- Remove anything in your signature that might make you look bad. (A quote or photos that do not show you at your best. This includes personal social media profiles that contain unprofessional pictures or behavior.)
- Don’t be too casual. No Slang. Be respectful.
- Send the Thank You.
Send That Thank You Note
Get the Thank You note sent as soon as possible and keep your candidacy “top of mind” and demonstrate that you have the good manners and proactive communications skills that employers desire.
Need Help In the Job Search Process?
Call your Career Coach, Rachel Schneider at Career Find and schedule a meeting to create a resume that will differentiate you from other job seekers and develop a job search strategy to help you feel confident as you begin your job search.