Real-Life Value of a Written Thank You Note

In my post titled Do You Send a Thank You Note After a Job Interview?, a reader recently left this comment. I thought it was worth re-running since it demonstrates some real-life results of writing a note and not writing one. The comment:

I am 26, and I have learned the hard way that snail mail thank you notes are most definitely NOT a thing of the past.

First, after I interviewed for the position where I currently work, I DID send a thank you note. The interview was with a non-profit, and I was incredibly under-qualified for the job, so I knew I needed to stand out in any way possible. I just wrote a few sentences on a card, stating my gratitude for the opportunity to talk and that I would be praying for their process in seeking God's will for the opening. It took the organization a while to make a decision, but I got the job.

Secondly, I definitely used to be someone who didn't value or understand the need (or appropriate situations) for thank you notes. Unfortunately, a dear family friend was really hurt by the fact that I didn't send her a note when she expected to get one. It was very uncomfortable, and my mom was really upset (not with me, but with the situation). I resolved to be more intentional about writing notes. I started noticing more and more situations where I really ought to send thank yous! It was awkward at first, but people are so very appreciative, and it doesn't take much from me.

Given the ease of writing a simple thank you and the fact that it costs very little to do so, why not write one after every interview? There's really no risk, but the upside could be great (for instance, it could give you just that little extra you need to get the job).

Comments

[MasterPo]

While I don't think it hurts, I do think the value of a thank you note is largely overrated. Not to say you shouldn't send one but when you read career articles IMO they vastly overblow the value.

I say that for 2 reasons: 1) In the vast majority of cases the decision to proceed with you or drop you as a candidate for a position is made with in a few hours, perhaps even minutes, after your initial interview. So when your note arrives 3-4 days later it's meaningless. 2) The time frame of arrival. I've been on second interviews the day my thank you note from the first interview arrives at the interviewers' office!

[Janette]

Snail mail thank you notes have the connotation of being outdated and stuffy in the company I work for. Email thank yous are definitely the way to go around here. A short, prompt, and honest thank you email goes much further than a piece of paper received several days later with overdone wording.

[Janette]

Snail mail thank you notes have the connotation of being outdated and stuffy in the company I work for. Email thank yous are definitely the way to go around here. A short, prompt, and honest thank you email goes much further than a piece of paper received several days later with overdone wording.

[dogatemyfinances]

This is a regional thing. In Manhattan, it would get laughed out of the room. In the South, it can be considered proper.

[Mama Sweet]

Always, always send a thank you! I interviewed a few years ago and went out to the car, wrote a few lines and dropped it in the mail on my way home. Two days later, I got a call from HR. They were going to hire someone else, but the lady was impressed with my follow-up and gave me the name and number of a company with a similar position that hadn't been posted yet. She had even emailed my resume on to their HR. She came right out and told me it was due to my note following up with the interview. She appreciated my manners and said it seemed like I was genuinely looking for a good place to work and a good fit - not just a job.
Send personal ones too. When you receive a gift or someone goes out of their way for you.
They aren't just for grandmothers and wedding gifts!

[Emily]

Regarding that person's comment -- unless the organization is a faith-based group, I would NOT recommend saying that you are "praying for their process in seeking God's will for the opening." That seems very unprofessional to me, like the employers aren't making the decision based on merit, but God is deciding it. And what if the employers aren't religious? That's just too touchy.

I live in Texas, where it's still considered very polite and proper to send a thank you note via snail mail. I've done that with several job interviews in the past, but for some, especially when they said they wanted to move quickly, I sent an email thank you note instead. I think as long as it's well-written, it is a good substitute for the hand-written letter.

[FMF]

Emily --

I agree. But if it is a faith-based group, I think showing them that you're "on the same page" as they are is a great way to reinforce you're a great fit.

[Emily]

Oh, I definitely agree -- I just would ONLY do it if it's a faith-based group.

[Matt]

Even if the thank you note is thrown out a moment after its read it has already done its job. It has refreshed the persons memory about your meeting with them and made you stick out just a little bit more than everyone else that has interviewed. It might be a bit of an antiquated thing to do but people appreciate it even if the note is dropped in the trash right after.

[MasterPo]

Ditto on the email instead of snail mail, and the regional aspect.

[Kervin]

I did a quick, simple, honest and to the point thank you email three days after my interview. I waited three days because I knew that they were interviewing throughout the week and I wanted to drop them a note to keep me fresh in their minds. It worked and was much appreciated. Just don't be wordy and write things you don't really mean- people will always know.

Now, what are everyone's thoughts on thank you notes for references?

[Sara]

I think thank-you notes are an important and underrated life habit. People like to help out others who seem to genuinely appreciate that help. To apply this to job-hunting, networking well is one of the most important skills you can develop in terms of job searching. Although thank-you notes after interviews are almost cliche at this point (though I still think they should be sent, personally), how many people remember to send a written thank you note to your references? After someone puts in a call for you to help you get a foot in the door? To anyone you work with that goes above and beyond to help you out on a project? These are the places you can really stand out.

Also, people today are busy and probably don't have time to talk on the phone to all the friends and family they would like to keep in touch with. Taking a few minutes to write a hand-written note is much less time-consuming than an hour on the phone, but just as thoughtful and helpful in staying connected.

It may be old-fashioned, but most people would be delighted to receive a hand-written note, even in this digital age. I can't imagine someone actually laughing at someone else for doing it (but if it's true people in New York would, that just reaffirms my desire to never live around New Yorkers).

[pink panther]

How old was the person receiving the thank-you note? I would guess over 50 - someone who sends a thank-you card for your thank-you card? I think the appropriateness of this sort of thing would depend on who you're sending it to more than anything else. The real risk would be backfiring -- someone would think you're watching too many Keeping Up Appearances episodes on PBS or something.

[zOrville]

I have always wondered about people who give something or do something for someone then get upset when they do not receive a thank you note. If you are giving or doing in order to receive a thank you then do not bother IMHO. I have several relatives-by-marriage who are like this and I make sure to taunt them every holiday and birthday about it!

[Justin]

I wouldn't mention anything religious in a thank you note, resume or cover letter. That could certainly strike the wrong chord, or perhaps strike the right one, and open the company to lawsuits based on discrimination based on religion. Be very careful, you can't know their policy in this situation.

[Charlatan]

I posted those original comments, and it IS a faith-based non-profit. The Executive Director prayed with me after each interview. I would not send a note like that to a public organization. That's pretty common sense, I think.

I'm glad I could contribute!

[Erik]

I would think a person is trying too hard to be honest. I would wonder about their confidence.

All I see out there on this phenomenon is anecdotal evidence and vague unverifiable anecdotal evidence at best. No real studies or anything. Call me a cynic but I wouldn't at all be shocked to find out some card company planted this idea.