Another Plug for the Thank-You Note

Have I beaten the "you need to write a thank you note after you have an interview" drum enough? So far, here's what I've written on it:

• And Yet Another Recommendation for the Lowly Thank-You Note


• The Most Overlooked Step in the Job-Hunting Process


• An HR Professional Recommends Thank You Notes


• Great Thoughts on Thank You Notes

Now, here's a piece from US News that lists five ways not to get the job you want. Here's what they list as #4:

Skipping the thank-you note. Your interview is over and you plan to follow up a week later. Did you forget anything? A thank-you note, while it won’t guarantee you get the job, usually does leave a favorable impression with the hiring manager. And it just might be the one thing that makes you stand out from the other applicants. You should send this out within a day or two of the job interview.

While we’re talking about follow-up: It’s appropriate to follow up with the employer a week after your interview. Hiring managers have to interview several candidates in addition to being busy with their regular work, so it may take time to make the decision. At the one-week mark, if they haven’t chosen a candidate, ask when they expect to, and respectfully ask if you can follow up again at that time.

This is in line with my thinking. A thank you note won't get you a job when someone else is a better candidate, but it could be enough of a difference to get you hired if things are very close -- if for no other reason than it may make you more likeable. And as we've seen, being likeable is a KEY part to career success (which includes getting hired.)

Anyone still hate on the thank you note? ;-)

Comments

[mdb]

I am still not sold, I don't like receiving them and in my company we have a meeting after each interview among the interviewers to decide. As the process goes along each interviewee is ranked immediately - well before any thank you note could influence the decision. I have never written one, and I have very good record of receiving job offers. I also never disclose my contact info, for just this reason - don't waste my time. Thank the person while interviewing, I always thank the interviewee for coming and I always thank interviewers in person when leaving an interview. Manners are important, thank you notes are annoying.

[Shane]

Are you referring to sending an email or an actual snail-mail letter? I never know...

[FMF]

Shane --

Generally, I'm referring to a written note. But I would say that sending an email is a decent substitute if you can't/won't send a snail mail note.

[Alex]

As a hiring manager, I agree with mdb's comment. Thank you notes typically come well after I've made a decision.

The biggest mistakes I see candidates make in an interview?

1. Show up late for the interview (about 50% of all candidates make this mistake).
2. Criticize a previous employer.
3. Fail to bring a "leave behind" such as a resume to share.
4. Appearing disinterested. They either don't listen to/answer the question being asked,talk too long, or speak over the interviewer.
5. Appearing underprepared or on the interview circuit. They don't research the company.
6. Overly nervous or body language that lacks confidence.

If you can avoid these mistakes, you'll have a good shot at the job. After all, to make it to the interview, you've already passed the paper cut for qualifications -- the interview is essentially a manners test.

[Shane]

Good to know, thanks FMF!

[Kelly@goodmoneysense]

My mom has drilled this piece of information into my head since I started applying for college. She works as a nurse manager in a hospital and has been very vocal when coaching my sister and I on what good interview ediquette is. A thank you not is the easiest way to leave a good taste in a potential employers mouth. Not only do you show that you are very interested in getting the position, but you force the company to consider you further, and show your personal side in a hand-written note. Sending thank you notes expresses that you are a thoughtful individual who is willing to go that extra step for the business.

[Luis]

I think that's it, the draw is between jobs that reward thoughtfulness versus those that care just for proper mannerisms.

FMF, why do you prefer thank you notes and not cover letters? Getting the interview comes first in line and that can certainly help similar to thank you note.

[Briana @ Prairie EcoThrifter]

I send a thank you e-mail as soon as I get home. Snail mail just takes too long, and just like Alex said, it usually gets there after they've already made their decision.

[mike]

As the owner of a company I could care less about a thank you note. I have actually noticed the less qualified canidates write them in an effort to make up for the areas where they lack the expereience needed for the job.

[FMF]

Mike --

Really?

I guess you haven't interviewed me then. :-)

[FMF]

Luis --

You know they don't serve the same purpose, right?

To me, a thank-you note is valuable in that it can help you get the job. I don't think a cover letter add much value (if any.)