A Simple Thank You Note May Influence Hiring Decisions

Want to stand out in the minds of hiring managers? Follow up your interview with an expression of gratitude and appreciation. A simple thank you note can leave you top of mind with a prospective employer and start you off on a profitable new relationship.

According to Ask Your Target Market's latest survey, 22% of respondents said they often send thank you notes, either by mail or electronically. Another 38% sometimes send thank you notes while 27% rarely send them, and 14% said they never do. Keep your hat in the ring with this easy relationship builder.

In fact, 80% of survey respondents said they appreciate receiving thank you notes from others. Case in point: “At Elite Technical this week, we interviewed two candidates for a particular IT position. Shortly after, one candidate sent us a thank you e-mail. It made us take notice, and it also drew an instant favorable impression, compared to the candidate who didn’t follow up with a note,” said Joseph Monaco, Senior Vice President .

Wondering about thank you delivery options? Almost three-quarters of respondents consider paper thank you notes more meaningful than electronic ones. One added advantage of a handwritten note or card is shelf life. While emails are quickly deleted, a nice card or letter gets a longer look and provides a tactile reminder of your presence.

“In an increasingly informal digital world, continuing to pull out pen and paper is a way to distinguish yourself,” says Dan Post Sennet, at EmilyPost.com . “The handwritten thank-you note speaks volumes simply as a medium and sends the message that you care enough to invest yourself personally in acknowledging another.”

That personal investment doesn’t take long, but goes a long way. A thank you note, via email or hard mail, helps a candidate re-affirm interest in the position and will impress decision makers by demonstrating that you are both mannerly and went the proverbial extra mile to get the job. That alone can signal an employer that you’re the kind of person (s)he wants on the team.

Not sure where to begin? Keep your notes short, simple and sincere. Three or four short sentences are plenty. No need to overwrite a simple acknowledgement! You might say, “Thank you for giving me the opportunity to discuss your position requirements today. I would be honored to join your team and help reach your project goals. I appreciate the time you spent with me; if I can serve your needs, I look forward to hearing from you.”

Whether it’s a thank you note, a birthday card to clients and contractors, or an email sent with appreciation, we believe that acknowledging others by following up or taking time to remember then makes a meaningful difference in overall success at Elite Technical. We wish success for you, too, and we thank you for reading our blog! You are much appreciated!