Thank You Notes: Do They Make a Difference?

You polished up your resume and cover letter and landed an interview with a company you would love to work for. You leave the interview feeling confident that you made a good impression and proved why you are the right person for the job. What next? Should you send a thank you note showing your appreciation and interest, or should you wait and see what happens?

Be Proactive

It never hurts to be respectful and send a thank you note. While some hiring managers may only take a quick glance, for others, it will make you stick out in their mind. Taking this extra step shows that you have ambition and follow through.

The interview is not over once you leave the room. Hiring managers are still weighing their options and evaluating each candidate. Should it come down to two equally qualified applicants, they start looking at the finer details. Having your thank you note in hand, showing that you value their time and their company, could make a difference.

Following Proper Etiquette

Now that you have decided to send a thank you note, where do you start?

• Email vs. Hard Copy. In today’s digital world, many hiring managers view an email thank you note as perfectly acceptable. If you are interviewing with a more prestigious company, however, you may feel that a handwritten or typed and signed letter is more appropriate.


• Time frame. Send the thank you note within 24 hours of having the interview. This ensures prompt delivery and has more of an impact than a note arriving several days later. It conveys continued interest in the position following the interview.


• Personalization. Take the time to tailor your thank you to the interview. Include something specific that was discussed and what you gained from it. Perhaps it gave you a deeper appreciation for a certain aspect of the job or company, or showed you how your abilities truly align with their vision and goals. Avoid sending a generic note that could apply to any interview.


• Appreciation. Thank the hiring manager for their time and the opportunity to interview for the position. If you met with more than one person, consider sending a note to each one that you have contact information for. Adjust the details accordingly so that each person’s thank you note is slightly different.


• Follow-up. Make sure to include your contact information and let the employer know that you look forward to hearing from them.

Standing Out Among the Competition

While a thank you note may not make or break the hiring manager’s decision, it does leave a positive impression. It shows that you are serious about the position and want to reiterate your interest. Taking the initiative and time to send a personalized note can give you an edge over competitors and help you to stand out.

Let Chic Resumes by Grammar Chic help you to make a positive impression. We can not only help you craft a professional resume and cover letter that emphasize your skills and abilities, we can also work with you on creating a thank you note. Contact us today at 803-831-7444 or by visiting www.chicresumes.com to find out more.

via Business 2 Community http://ift.tt/1jLdET6