TANDEM'S JOB SEARCH TIPS: THANK YOU NOTES
Kent R.
Q: I recently interviewed for a job, and my friend asked if I had sent a hand-written thank you note. I sent a thank you note, but it wasn't hand-written. Are people still doing that? A: Job-seekers often ask me how to differentiate themselves in this tough economy, and I let them know that simple things - such as sending a post-interview that you letter - can really make a difference.
Surprisingly, most job-candidates (still) don't send a thank you note after an interview. It's a simple way to reaffirm your interest and to take the opportunity to remind the interviewer just how qualified you are. In addition to having a great resume, candidates need to take every opportunity to promote themselves.
Yes, hand-written thank you notes are still being used - just not as often. While always a nice gesture, some companies/organizations are viewing a hand-written letter as a bit "dated" so be sure to take that into account when pondering what route to take.
It's often more convenient to e-mail a thank you letter. This method also allows you to better ensure that the letter gets to the recipient. When appropriate, I think it's best to e-mail the letter within a Word document (not within the body of the e-mail). Of course, you can also send such a letter via snail mail.
As always, feel free to send off an e-mail with any questions and be sure to check out August's promotion - it includes an individualized thank you letter template that you can customize for each specific situation.