Penning a thank you note helps job seekers set themselves apart
Q. Have thank you notes gone the way of the dinosaur? Recently, we interviewed six people for an administrative assistant position in our office. We received thank you notes/letters from only two of the candidates.
Each person submitted a well-written cover letter and resume, showed up on time for the interview, and conducted themselves professionally throughout the process. The only misstep was the thank you note.
I strongly believe in thank you notes, as do the other members of my team. We were shocked by this mistake. Are we "making a mountain out of a molehill?" I would appreciate your feedback and advice so that I know what to expect (or not to expect) the next time I am in this situation.
V.K., Needham
A. Your reaction should be a strong lesson to all job seekers out there: Write thank you notes.
They are not passé. They are a strong indicator of the way an applicant will represent a company and they demonstrate that the applicant understands both the importance of building relationships and how to go about doing it - qualities that come at the top of most job descriptions.
Job seekers should remember that they were asked to come in for an interview because they have the skills to do the job - that's what their resume shows. The interview is primarily an opportunity to see the personal skills each applicant has and to determine which applicant best fits the company's culture.
You are not making a mountain out of a molehill. The two applicants who sent thank you notes stand out. The applicants who did not send thank you notes hurt their chances to be selected.
The thank you note should be concise.
Don't list your qualifications; the employer already knows them. Instead point out one aspect of the job that interests you and that fits you particularly well. Reiterate that you are excited about the job opportunity and that you look forward to hearing from them by the date on which they said they would get back to you.
Type or handwrite the thank you note on quality paper (not your current employer's stationery).
If you met with more than one person, send a note to each interviewer.
You will stand out from the other interviewees if they send just one note to the group while you send one note to each interviewer.
Seal each note in an envelope and mail it. If a decision is imminent, you can opt to e-mail the note, but be sure to follow up the e-mail with a written note. E-mails are deleted; notes received in the mail are noticed, kept on a desk or in a file, and remembered.
Ask yourself: Would you rather be deleted or remembered?
