|
Thank-You Notes: An Integral Part of Your Career Design
There is one little practice that is vital to generating the interest of potential employers. It is critical, but very few job seekers actually do it. What is it? The THANK YOU NOTE! Interview experts agree that EVERY job hunter MUST send thank-you notes after EVERY interview. They also point out that most people completely ignore this bit of wisdom. In order to have a huge advantage over the other candidates for the job you want, send thank-you notes to EVERYONE you meet the day of the interview--administrative assistants, managers, interviewers, people you met who already do the job you are targeting, and so on. One of my resume clients (let's call him Mike) is a Certified Arborist and Tree Care Professional in the San Diego area. His goal is to move into the consulting arena. Very soon after speaking on the phone with the owner of a prominent tree care company, Mike mailed a brief note thanking the owner for his time and consideration. Within a week, the owner called Mike and offered him an informal mentoring arrangement to help Mike learn more about the consulting side of tree care. Mike decided to pass on the offer and continue his job search, and he recently landed a very nice position. He sent me an e-mail about his recent job-hunting activities saying, "...and just so you know, the thank-you letter has got to be the block that keeps the door open. I sent out three letters and subsequently got three offers." If you're not convinced yet, the following reasons outline the significance of sending thank-you notes: Sending a thank-you note demonstrates that you are good with people. You employ the most basic of people skills--a show of gratitude.It helps companies remember you after the interview. You can restate your interest in the position, especially if the interview went well.You can use the thank-you note to summarize a few of the main points discussed at the interview. You can also add anything you forgot to tell them.It has the potential to increase your affinity with those who have the authority to hire you.It shows that you are serious about your career design.It indicates that you are organized and on top of details.It demonstrates that you went out of your way to show interest in the company and/or position.If they decide not to consider you for the position, perhaps they know of another opportunity that suits you. You can mention this in the thank-you note, asking them to keep you in mind.The post-interview thank-you note doesn't have to be fancy. Here's an example: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you today. As we discussed, my 10-years of outside sales experience is a perfect fit for XYZ Widgets as you expand into the Pacific Rim. In light of your plans for Asia, you'll find my Japanese language skills to be of great value. Feel free to contact me at 555-1234 should you have additional questions. I am very interested in the position. Thank you again for your time and consideration. Regards, Jane Doe ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ OK. You now know the impact a thank-you note can have after an employment interview. Are there other opportunities to send them? Absolutely! The general rule is this: After ANYONE has done you even the smallest favor during the job-hunt/career-design process, send the individual a thank-you note. Was a receptionist at a company you phoned while doing research exceptionally helpful? Did one of your colleagues take five minutes to help you with a cover letter? Did somebody who already does the job you want to do provide you with some valuable insights? The job hunt can be frustrating. Was someone particularly encouraging? You should send each of these individuals a brief hand-written thank-you note expressing your gratitude for their time and assistance. To reiterate: A thank-you note goes to everyone who helps you, gives you leads, or provides advice or guidance even in the most infinitesimal way. That includes friends, people at companies or organizations you've visited while doing your research, temp agency personnel, administrative assistants, receptionists, librarians, company employees...ANYONE! Here are a few thank-you note guidelines: - Address the note to the specific individual with which you spoke. Personalize it. Avoid an obligatory, mechanical tone. Mention something about your conversation or how the individual treated you.
- Thank-you notes following an interview should be printed out on quality stationery with letterhead matching that of your resume. Remember to sign it!
- A conservative, handwritten thank-you card is appropriate for all those friends, colleagues, and casual contacts that have helped you along the way.
- Send thank-you notes the very next day, at the latest. If it arrives a week later, the meaning is lost.
- If you e-mail a sentiment of gratitude, follow up with a thank-you note or card in the mail.
Use your best judgment -- these are just guidelines. The thank-you note is critical to your getting noticed and to the success of your job hunt. And because most folks either forget or just plain don't do it, you'll find yourself at a significant advantage. About The Author Peter Hill is president of Distinctive Resumes, a resume consulting firm based in Honolulu, Hawaii. He can be contacted through his website: http://www.peterhill.biz; distinctiveresumes@yahoo.com
MORE RESOURCES:
Jobs City of Rochester (.gov)
Careers Washington State University
Careers Gwinnett County Public Schools
JobFeed NSW Department of Education
|
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Tales from the Corporate Frontlines: Career Opportunities for New Graduates
Tales from the Corporate Frontlines: Career Opportunities for New GraduatesThis article relates to the Career Opportunities competency and explores issues such as internal growth opportunities, potential for advancement, career development importance, and the relationship between job performance and career advancement. Evaluating the Career Opportunities competency in your organization will determine whether your employees believe they have a chance to grow within the organization.
Employees, Get Used to Working under Surveillance
Let's face it. Monitoring employees' e-mail, tracking their Internet use, logging everything done at keyboards has become the norm in Corporate America.
What Students and Parents MUST Know about Student Loans
A student loan helps you get through college. Then youcome out into a high-paying career.
Are You a Nice Person? What Companies are Looking for in Recruiting and Retaining Great People
Hal Rosenbluth, author of The Customer Comes Second, states; "In our selection process, kindness, caring, compassion, and unselfishness carry more weight than years on the job, an impressive salary history, and stacks of degrees."Does your company hire these types? Are you one of them? Take the following quiz to see if you are:Agree Disagree1.
Conflicts With Your Boss Are Inevitable, But Can Be Healthy
If you are a pro-active, get-things-done type, sooner or later you will come in conflict with your boss. The same sort of assertiveness and confidence that leads you to have a mind of your own has helped him to earn his position.
Does Your Resume Have What It Takes To Survive The First Cut?
Qualifications" or "Personal Profile") uses bullets and succinct wording to highlight what is likely to most intrigue the employer. Before writing this section, make a list of the 5 to 10 criteria that are most likely to guide the employer's choice - then summarize your qualifications in a way that speaks directly to the employer's interests.
Skills Make Labor More Valuable
As you know by now, if you have been a long time subscriber to our weekly E-zine, I'm a very big proponent of activity, labor and discipline. In fact I devoted one of the five major pieces to the life puzzle (in my book under the same name) to the subject of activity and labor.
Image and Style Count
When I was a child, there was a pool nearby and every year my parents bought us season tickets. My brother and I swam there everyday.
8 "Thurvival Skills" for 05
Just what is a "thurvival skill?" It's a skill that let's you thrive and survive at the same time. In today's economy it's not enough to just be good.
The Squirrel Effect
An industrious black-tailed ground squirrel has his home beneath a stump not far from my office window. I've been watching him squirrel away provisions for winter.
Cover Letters
Cover Letters: Are you telling them what they want to know?Let's face it. Recruiters (or employers) are smarter than we think.
Turning the Table: Questions for Your Interviewer
(DES MOINES, Iowa - January 26, 2005) The fateful final question of all interviewers may carry more weight than you would think. Upon hearing "Now, do you have any questions," you are given a chance to show the quality of your character and interest in the company.
Make Your Résumé Sizzle with Success Stories
In today's competitive job market you can't afford a résumé that fizzles. Power up your résumé with solid success stories.
Surviving in Corporate Amercia: Part 1 - Email
There is a saying that goes, "The best offense is a great defense". Nowhere is that applied better in the corporate world than in the intelligent use of email.
Job Interviews: What to Wear
It takes between seven and seventeen seconds for a person to make an impression of us and much of that impression is based on how we look. It stand to reason, then, that what we wear to job interviews will make a far greater impact on our success than anything we're likely to say once those first crucial seconds have passed.
Diplomats and Spies
"The Baratarian pirates also offered their services. Even though an American naval force had destroyed their base on Grand Terre Island in September, the Baratarians rejected British overtures to side with them.
The Not-So-Effective Cover Letter
Here's a newsflash: Cover letters work, plain and simple. This is why I'm intrigued by the fact that a) jobseekers rarely submit them and b) hiring managers seldom read them.
Leave Your Dead End Job?For Good!
So here you are?stuck in a dead end job. Are you hitting the glass ceiling in a job you once loved, but now can't stand? Maybe the hours are long.
Why Culinary Education
If you are thinking about a career in culinary arts then studying in a culinary school is a must. You may be a great cook but you will never become expert learning culinary arts yourself.
What is Workers Compensation Fraud
What is FraudFraud occurs when a person knowingly or intentionally conceals, misrepresents, and makes a false statement to either deny or obtain workers' compensation benefits or insurance coverage, or otherwise profit from the deceit. The key to conviction is proving in court that the misrepresentation or concealment occurred knowingly or intentionally.
|