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


    • More Resources

    Behaviour To Climb The Stepping Stones To Career Success
    The heading of this article could just as well have been "How to position yourself for promotion" or "How to position yourself for career advancement" or "How to climb the success ladder" or something similar.What behaviour will improve your chances for success? Behaviour which can be described as good work ethics.
    Seriously Impress at Your Interview With These 7 Hot Tips
    So you've managed to secure a job interview for a position thatfits you PERFECTLY. Now comes the moment of truth: Are youREALLY ready for the interview? If you've rehearsed what you'regoing to say and know the perfect answer to every potentialquestion, you're half way there.
    Reading the Want Ads--Not for Jobs--For Information
    What? Want ads are where job announcementsare, not information!Wait! Job want ads are full of information ifyou know what to do and how to use them.Doubtful? Here are some ideas of the kindsof information you can find as a job seeker.
    Tips for Building a Successful Career
    1. Develop excellent work habits - for example, meet deadlines and don't procrastinate.
    Choose Your References Wisely!
    So, you need to submit employment references. A simple task, right? Sure, you could contact three of your closest friends and ask them to be your references.
    Counteroffers: Should I Stay or Should I Go?
    If "resignation" is the word that strikes fear into all employers, then "counteroffer" is the one that strikes fear into an employee's heart. "What should I do? They've matched my offer?"It's Friday afternoon.
    Marketing You and Your Career
    Imagine if a business invested years into the research, design, and creation of a new product, and then failed to tell anybody about it. What if the company assumed (even expected) that consumers should discover their new product, just because it was "great" Flawed logic, right? Yet, that's how many people treat their careers!
    Ive Got the Big Bad B Word on My Job!
    That "B" word---B O R E D O M.How did I get this wearing word in my work?I got it because I don't have enough todo in my job! Yes, I have completed myassigned tasks, but I have time left over,which leads to boredom.
    Strange Jobs Still Pay The Bills
    Strange jobs? How do we define that? Years ago I stole cars as a repo-man, had some adventures as an investigative process-server, and even handed out samples in grocery stores. Here are some other unusual jobs you can aspire to:Wrinkle ChaserThis is the person that irons wrinkles from shoes as they are being made to ensure they are perfectly smooth when you buy them.
    Benefits of Mystery Shopping For Secret Shoppers
    Mystery shoppers are people who are hired to scrutinize employees, products and customer services of any organization. The benefits that they get from mystery shopping are:They enjoy doing a job that's fun and frolic.
    Last Year Physician Resident Checklist
    Here is a last year resident checklist not to forget:LICENSING:Licensing is becoming increasingly complex as identity and medical fraud become more common. Therefore don't wait till the last minute to start the process.
    Do You Need A Mentor? And How Do You Find One?
    Whether you're self-employed or you work for someone else, you're new to business or a seasoned expert, one of the best ways to get ahead in business is to find a mentor. And some highly successful people even have more than one.
    Build New Habits -- Payday Will Come --
    Feeling that it never works is not a good excuse. You may even remember last year not getting past February.
    You Are Not Entitled to a Job!
    Résumé TipsSome basics about job hunting..
    Writing A Great Resume, Part 1
    Need a great resume to land that great job coming up? We are going to learn to create an eye-catching resume, using Microsoft Word.First, you need to collect all the information you will need to complete your Resume (dates of employment, education dates.
    How To Find A Job Writing Grant Applications
    Do you have what it takes to land a job doing grant writing? Many people are looking for ways to develop a freelance business, but unless you know what it takes to do so, you might as well stop trying. There are several fields in which you can learn and have many jobs waiting for you.
    10 Tips For Writing A Winning Resume
    Your resume (or curriculum vitae), combined with the coverletter, are the master keys to opening the prospectiveemployer's mind and door so that you can proceed to thenext step in the process - the big interview!RESUME WRITING TIPS AND STRATEGIESHere are 10 valuable tips for anyone writing their ownresume, or who is having someone else write one for them.These tips and strategies are an abridged version of whatis contained in my new eBook, "Instant Home Writing Kit".
    Love What You Do!
    "To love what you do and feel that it matters, how on earth could anything be more fun?" --Katherine GrahamI want to share with you a great success story from one of my clients, Susan*, because I am so proud of her. Susan had been working in the computer industry since college (8-10 years) and though she was financially and professionally successful, she felt dissatisfied with her career.
    A Peek at Nursing as a Career
    We need more people to choose nursing as a career. There is a national shortage, so the career choice would guarantee future employment fresh out of school.
    Get Out of Your Comfort Zone in the Job Search
    Most everyone these days knows what a comfort zone is. My definition is the place, environment and tasks that we have learned to do and feel comfortable with--a comfort zone.

    More Careers & Employment Information:

    Related Articles

    Are You Ready To Start A Business? Take This Quiz and See
    Don't get discouraged! A "no" answer to any of the questions will identify an area for development -- not a roadblock. I am available to help if you would like to discuss your options in greater detail.
    When All Is Not Well With Work
    When all is not well with work, what do you do? Do you quickly get frustrated and feel discontent? Do you look at each situation as a tiresome challenge or as an opportunity to learn something new? Have you ever considered looking at work problems from a spiritual point of view?When you look at work from a spiritual perspective, you will see that there are lessons for you to learn. Let's look at a couple of situations that you or someone you know may have encountered.
    How to Pick the Best Career For You , Part 2: From Exposure-to-Opportunity
    Gain an audience by recognizing opportunityThere's a sexier method to salsa into a great career with less tripping and more flair. Look for problems to solve and create a personalized solution.
    It May Be Time to Walk in an Employers Shoes
    If you are in a job search and aren't receiving viable hits, it's time to walk a mile in an employer's shoes. Okay, I realize what you may be thinking.
    Getting Past Fear
    Have you gotten tons of career advice, solicited and unsolicited? You nod when you hear it and think, "Yeah, I know this stuff." So, what else is new?But what have you done with the advice? Fess up.
    Searching for Jobs Online
    Searching for jobs online is easier than ever, but also more confusing than ever. Any Internet user doing a job search online will find that they can choose from hundreds of national employment listing web sites and the numbers can often be staggering.
    Mastering the Job Interview - 5 Tips to Make Yourself Irresistible to the Interviewer
    So you've figured out, more or less what you want to do and where the opportunities are. Now; you have been called for an interview.
    Now, Do You Have Any Questions?
    "Who is that hot babe in the picture?" isn't the type of reply an interviewer expects to hear when he or she invites you to ask questions near the end of an interview. In fact, the way you approach the Q&A session will have a direct impact on the interviewer's perception of you.
    How to Manage Your Career Like a Business
    Look upon yourself as a company with a product or service to sell. Understand your market and devise a dynamic marketing campaign, remembering that companies hire employees who offer them the best results and the best value for money.
    Tips for Requesting a Raise
    You probably think you deserve a raise. But does your boss think so?Here's how to go about convincing your boss that you're really worth more than you're being paid.
    Three Ways to Transition to a New Career
    As a Certified Personnel Consultant working for Find Great People International in Greenville, South Carolina, I receive telephone calls from people who are considering a career change. For some, transitioning to a new career is easier than others.
    Job Hunting: Its Still The First Impression Stupid!
    In the 1992 USA Presidential election, political strategist James Carville hung a sign in Bill Clinton's Little Rock campaign office that read, "It's still the economy, stupid." His intent? Simply to keep everybody focused on the most important issue of the day.
    Im just me - An Overview of an Web er.. Designer, Developer, Consultant and Friend
    I am going to give you a breakdown of my ..
    Job Search - Understand Employers
    Think like an employerTo be successful in your job search campaign you must think like an employer or a recruiter. If you are going to do this right, you need to appreciate the ways that employers sift through the flood of resumes.
    50 Things To Do To Your Boss That Are Fun For You, But Not For Them
    1. You're eavesdropping and you hear your boss has reservations at his favorite restaurant.
    Common Resume Myths & Misconceptions
    For the person crafting their first résumé the task can seem a little bit daunting, even a bit frightening. Human Resources [HR] specialists, résumé writing professionals, school advisors, and even friends and family members all have their say.
    Adapting To Change In A Changing World
    Have you learnt a new skill or improved upon your existing skill in the last six months to one year?According to the world acclaimed management guru and Writer Professor Peter Drucker - "The only skill that will be important in the 21st century is the skill of learning news skills. Everything else will become obsolete over time.
    Business Experience is YOUR Security Cover
    Some may want to interpret "independent" to mean WITHOUT others. None of us are truly independent or able to make it in life alone.
    Need a Job? Put a Gun to Your Head
    A legendary marketing genius once said that, if he had to write a killer sales letter, he would imagine he had a gun pointed at his head and that he would be shot if his advertising didn't deliver.This motivated him to create some of the world's most-profitable ads.
    Dissatisfied with Your Job? Take Your Power Back!
    Apparently, there are all sorts of reasons to be dissatisfied with your job..