One important component to any job search is the art of saying thank you. It may seem cliché, but saying thanks never gets old.
Expressing thanks shows your appreciation for others and nurtures your connections for future interactions.
There are two easy ways to send a thank you. One is via email and the other is in a handwritten note. Email alone works in some casual situations, but handwritten notes are still important in interviews.
In fact, when you send a thank you card, it’s often the first one the interviewer has gotten in a while. Being different allows you to stand out in a positive way.
You never know when you might need to send a thank you note. With that in mind, it’s good to have a package of cards on hand at all times. You can find them at most stores that sell greeting cards.
Look for a set of cards that’s simple, but printed on high quality paper.
Send thank you notes right after your job interview. You should thank every person you met with, or anyone who helped to organize your interview. Start with email thank yous the same day of your interview.
Then, on the very next day, drop hand written thank you notes in the mail.
Handwritten notes should be brief. Thank the person for taking the time to meet with you. Express your excitement over this new opportunity, and mention that you look forward to the opportunity to connect again. You may want to drop your business card into the note, to remind the interviewer of who you are and to reinforce your personal brand.
Within the email, you should follow a similar format. However, you can also add a few more details. Consider highlighting why you feel you’d be a great fit. You may also want to provide clarification on any questions that weren’t fully answered within the interview.
Keep it brief, confident and straight forward.
If you feel you may have bombed the interview, this isn’t the time to detail out what went wrong. Don’t apologize for yourself. Simply thank the interviewer, highlight your strengths, tie up any loose ends and move on.
And remember, emails can easily be forwarded. Never share something you wouldn’t want others to read.
Sending both a hand written note and an email may sound like a bit of duplication.
After all, why do you need to send two messages to each person?
Well, the email thank you allows you to get something to the interviewer right away. Some companies make quick decisions about candidates. And, the handwritten note allows you to stand out from the crowd.
But, the delivery time on mail varies, and sometimes letters get lost in the corporate mailroom.
Sending both will ensure you’ll make a great impression – and increase your chances of getting the job!
Angela Copeland is CEO and founder of Copeland Coaching and can be reached at CopelandCoaching.com.