I’m amazed I actually have to write this article.
Why do fewer than 10% of all candidates blow off the easiest way to stand out? It’s so simple…the thank you note. Yet so few take advantage of writing asimple thank you…so it’s a huge advantage to those who do.
Why write a Thank You note? Here’s 5 reasons:
1. Thank Yous remind the hiring manager who you are
2. Thank Yous show the hiring manager that you REALLY want the job
3. Thank Yous give you an opportunity to highlight why you can uniquely solve the hiring managers’ problem
4. Thank Yous show the hiring manager that you are polite, and starts your relationship out on the right foot
5. And the obvious reason – 90% of applicants don’t write Thank You notes
Even if you think you blew the interview, write a thank you. Why? The person who aced the interview might be priced out of the company’s budget, or might take a different job.
Even if you don’t want the job, write a thank you. Why? Hiring managers talk…if you’ve impressed the interviewer, the hiring manager may refer you to one of his network.
Thank You Strategies – Email, or Letter?
At a minimum, send an email, with the advantage of speed, it can be read that night.
A mailed printed letter is the least effective – at best it arrives days after the interview.
If you’re set on mailing, do it right…send a hand written letter on nice stationery card stock.
To maximize your effect, send both. You get the advantage of email's speed, but nothing conveys personality like a hand written thank you. Hand written notes show you’ve taken the time in today’s time crunched world to be personal, and handwritten notes come from the heart – they are believable. Better yet, you get to remind the hiring manager who you are - twice. Almost no one uses this tactic, so you REALLY stand out.
That’s why your Mom made you write Thank You notes as a kid…so you'd know how to write them as an adult.
If you’d like more information, a free 30 minute resume consultation, or some advice about your career transition, just email your resume to reCareered at firstname.lastname@example.org, and we'll schedule a time to talk.
President, reCareered & Rainmakers Global