A simple thank you can help you stand out!
A secret weapon for job search and professional development isn’t so secret; it’s the thank you note! As fast as life moves these days in the digital age, a simple thing like saying thank you can help you stand out. For your thank you to be received in a positive way, make sure it’s timely, customized, and sincere.
After you participate in an interview or make a new connection, you may feel excited and energized. Capture that feeling and put it into a thank you note immediately! Thank you notes should be sent via email or postal mail in a timely manner. For maximum effectiveness, send them within 24-48 hours. If you wait too long, your thank you may not be considered as part of your candidacy or your new connection may not remember you. When it comes to thank you notes, time is of the essence. Common thank you note formats include email or postal mail, although email format has become more popular due to factors including efficiency and convenience.
To be effective, thank you notes should be customized based on the recipient and situation (interview, new connection, etc.). Each person you encountered should be sent his or her own note. It’s important to not only send a message of thanks in your notes, but also add unique and customized messages. It can be a follow-up regarding a specific topic you discussed, a highlight of something you have in common with the person, or thanks for a specific insight the other person shared. Looking for inspiration? Review your notes from the interview or interaction and identify what stands out to you, or determine how you can follow-up on a specific point to highlight something important about your candidacy.
To really connect with someone in a thank you note, make sure your thoughts and words are sincere. As a former recruiter, I found it quite easy to spot a thoughtful and sincere note as opposed to one that was just trying to check a box or oozing with disingenuous flattery. Be positive, honest, and respectful as you thank someone for an opportunity you appreciated.
Interviewers and new network connections appreciate thank you notes that are timely, customized, and sincere. When done right, a properly written thank you note can support your candidacy or efforts to build a new professional relationship. Open with a sincere thank you, address something relevant to that person or your conversation that you appreciated, and wrap it up professionally. Now, get started on building this important professional skill. Who can you thank?
