Over the years I have gone to more weddings, wedding showers and baby showers than I can count. As my kids get older I am now attending several graduation parties every summer. One thing I often notice is if and when thank-you notes are sent out. It seems to be becoming a lost art! Now, I don’t expect wedding thank-you notes to be sent before the happy couple leaves for their honeymoon, but within a couple weeks after they have returned is a reasonable time. Receiving a Christmas card with a “thank you for the wedding gift” for a wedding the previous June is not my idea of an ideal thank-you note.
 

I grew up writing thank-you notes for everything and to everyone. To this day I still send notes to family and friends for gifts, help, or even just because. It is a great habit to get into because it lets others know they are appreciated and makes them feel special. I try to remember to send a note or even an email in my professional life as well. If someone has helped me with my business, website, newsletters, networking, or referred a potential client to me. A note only takes a few minutes to write but it reminds me to show my appreciation for everyone who continues to help me and reminds me to continue helping others. 

In the business world and in career management, thank-you notes are equally important. In a recent survey it showed that 36% of job seekers regularly send thank-you notes to hiring managers while 75% were expecting to see them. Notes should be sent not only to the managers interviewing you, but also their assistants, recruiters, the contacts on your reference list, those in your network and others relevant in your job search. Even if you don’t get the job or don’t end up using the specific person to obtain your job it is important to use you proper etiquette and keep open the lines of communications. It not only shows you have good manners but it could be the decision maker for a hiring manager. 

One of the key goals of a thank-you note and its’ being sent with in 24 – 36 hours after the interview is to use it as a selling tool. Start by complimenting the hiring manager on their interviewing abilities, most are not comfortable with the hiring process and understand that not only the decision to hire but the repercussions from hiring the wrong candidate will be their responsibility.  

Use the notes to help the hiring managers remember you. It is a great place to highlight your positive strengths discussed during the interview. Be sure to include potentially important information that didn’t get discussed, and reinforce seemingly weak areas from the interview with valuable examples. You can also ask for clarification of any areas discussed during the interview that you are still unsure of.  

Your thank-you notes should always show and express your continued interest for the position. Make sure to ask about the next step, when you will be contacted, if there is additional information they will be looking for and if there are any actions you can take to improve your chances of getting the job. This will let them know that you are definitely interested in the position. 

It is important to take time to consider what you’ve learned while at the interview. Review your thoughts on the job expectations, environment, staff you’ll be working with, the drive, dress code, benefit packages, salary and all of the other factors that go into making the decision. If, after you have reviewed the pros and cons, you realize this is not the job for you; the thank-you note is the right place to let them know. Make sure to thank them for their time and effort and allowing you to interview with their company. They will appreciate your honesty and may keep you in mind for a different position or perhaps give your name to someone else down the line which could result in a great job opportunity. If too, you decide to accept an offer with another company, even if you have already sent the thank-you note, it is wise to contact the other companies you have interviewed with to let them know you are no longer available. This can benefit you in a couple of ways.  

If you send a note or phone the company to let them know you are taking another job, the hiring manager will be grateful you let them know because it might help them make their decision faster, they may counter the offer if they really want you, or they might again, keep you in mind for someone else or for a later position. Don’t try to use it as a ploy to start a bidding war for you, especially if you haven’t really accepted another position. A little checking on their part will make the negotiation tactics backfire and you could lose out on both positions and future possibilities.  

Thank-you notes show consideration, appreciation, and are very effective selling tools. Written with integrity, they can be the deciding factor for a hiring manager. Make the decision to start using thank-you notes in your professional life and watch what happens!