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Nicely written thank-you notes can do wonders. These days, email is perfectly acceptable and expected, but it wasn’t long ago the sweet spot was the employer receiving a physical card or note.
Here is the story of two clients saying everything you need to know that occurred in my career practitioner days a few years ago. It’s relevant in how it stands out and speaks to the employer.
Marla was fortunate to receive a referral from another client of mine that ensured her a job interview. We tweaked her resume to fit the position, and within a couple of days of submission, she obtained an interview with an executive from the company. A week after the discussion, the company informed Marla that the background process was in progress. A month later, Marla called me and asked what she should do since it’s been a month since she had heard from the company. I asked her two questions:
Did you call back to find out the background check status?
Did you send a thank-you letter?
Her answer was “No” to both questions.
I suggested she immediately send letters to the people who interviewed her. Unfortunately, it was the end of the day Friday.
Another client Traci, similarly waited three weeks to follow up. She called me, as Marla did, and wondered what she should do. I asked the same two questions and recommended the same action. Traci wrote a thank-you letter and, with baby in tow, hand-delivered the letter in person.
Unfortunately, the position was filled; however, Traci was the ONLY candidate to send or follow up. As a result of her efforts, the employer awarded her a six-month contract just for her.
There are three reasons why a thank-you letter can be a powerful strategy to implement for every interview you obtain:
- A thank-you letter is your advocate, and it speaks volumes.
- It is the last opportunity to sell yourself. Reiterating how you can fit in the organization seals the deal.
- You stand out positively. End of story.
Did you say it’s been two weeks since the interview, and you heard nothing from the interviewer or the company? Email a thoughtful thank you note today.
Send a thank-you letter to the referrer. Who says that the one interview is the end of the road for that company?
Are thank-you notes a part of your job search strategy?
About Mark Anthony Dyson
I am the "The Voice of Job Seekers!" I offer compassionate career and job search advice as I hack and re-imagine the job search process. You need to be "the prescription to an employer's job description." You must be solution-oriented and work in positions in companies where you are the remedy. Your job search must be a lifestyle, and your career must be in front of you constantly. You can no longer shed your aspirations at the change seasons. There are strengths you have that need constant use and development. Be sure you sign up to download my E-Book, "421 Modern Job Search Tips 2021!" You can find my career advice and work in media outlets such as Forbes, Inc., Fast Company, Harvard Business Review, Glassdoor, and many other outlets.