Posted By: Phil Rosenberg In: Changing Careers 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 a simple thank you…so it’s a huge advantage to those who do.
Why write a Thank You note? Here’s 5 reasons:
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 a simple 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.
I followed these instructions many years ago, after received a decline news about my application, but I had the opportunity to say thank you personally to the director and was magic; after that they contacted me again for a 2nd interview and I was hired.
Posted by: Guy
Should I write a thank you note if: 1)I received a letter informing me that I am qualified for the job and I should wait for further considerations? 2)Received another letter from the HR department thanking me for applying for the job, but another candidate was selected?Thank you!
Posted by: Paul Kordish
Your article is very useful and is a terrific, simple technique in marketing yourself. Good advice.THANK YOU !
Posted by: Suzi Kay
Do you understand the need to follow up with every person you meet with a “Note of Thanks” in your own handwriting, letting them know you enjoyed meeting them; it’s priceless today and worth every minute.Your goal is to solidify your initial impression as a savvy professional – and to be remembered. If you had a system to do this, would it make a difference? SendOutCards has a Fortune 500 Contact Manager to assist you with your data bank. Your data base isn't just customers or prospects, THESE ARE REAL PEOPLE just like you and I!We “PROVIDE THE TOOLS NECESSARY FOR YOUR SUCCESS”. Stand out from your competition; with a click of your mouse it is all done for the next time, next year and the following years! Traditional Marketing is less and less effective because we have more and more information, you can Google most anything! Card sending isn’t just for the Holidays. 87% of everything we are exposed to today is negative. 3% of our mail is personal, 11% are bills and the rest is what we call RECYCLABLE – Junk! Help us flush out the negative and replace with the positives. Do you remember people’s birthdays and other special occasions? Do you think that matters to them? The Universal Law of Attraction: The most important thing to ask yourself am I sending out to GET or to GIVE? If you are sending out to get, the universe pulls away from that which you desire, send out to GIVE and receive what you send out tenfold! Don’t ask for the referral – Job - DESERVE IT!
Posted by: Jean Ludlam
Information was very helpful.If you are able to send me a sample letter I would appreciate it very much.Jean Ludlam RN
Posted by: Allen Hamilton
Phil;Can't believe you needed to write this article? We are all students of business and being professional is one of the lessons. Excellent article with very appropriate advice. Yes, in the past, I to was fortunate to follow what your advice offers and did get the interview with the president of the company and was hired.My personal thanks for your great work Phil.My best,Allen
Posted by: Barb
I wrote a thank you note for an interview. I didn't hear from the employer so I just kept looking for other employment. Well, the employer did hire someone else. He called me two weeks later saying that he made the wrong choice. It had been a toss-up between me and the one he did hire. Long story short, the new-hire wasn't working out so she agreed to leave. Well, I start tomorrow. Yippee! Had I not written the thank you note, would I have been the one he called back?
Posted by: Alba Guerra
This is also great. I learned about the thank you after an interview thru your articles. They're great. Thanks again.
Posted by: Kennard Smith
This is Kennard Smith and I will like to thank you for the chance to better my career in the work force.
Posted by: shaqueta usher
Thank you for updating me on the job opportunity.
Posted by: Mary Beth Gordon
I sent a thank you note after the first interview. What about after a second interview?
Posted by: Tamera Curry
Thank you for all the help with interviews. I have been having a difficult time finding a job. There is so much competition it is crazy. I have had one interview and two more set up for next week.Is there any more help you can offer for interviewing for State jobs? Thank you
