Thursday, March 29, 2012

5 Steps to Writing a Killer "Thank You"


Which do you think is more powerful…a resume or a thank you? Both display words expressing who you are as a person, but obviously both are different when it comes to content. A resume is how you land the initial interview, but sending a thank you seals the deal.

Source: A Better Resume
Resumes are pivotal when applying for jobs. They describe and sell an individual to the employer. Typically, a resume is one page summary of one’s professional life. On the downside, everyone has a resume, but everyone doesn’t take the time to send a simple thank you letter to the interview. This is how you can step ahead of the pack and stand out so you can land the job you always wanted. Follow these FIVE EASY STEPS for writing a killer after-interview thank you:
  1. Be specific. Directly address your interviewer. Mention things that the interviewer said; this reinforces that you are a good listener.
  2. Showcase your written communication style.  A resume doesn’t depict your writing style. A thank you letter provides you with an opportunity to shine!
  3. Keep it brief. This isn’t a research paper.  A thank you letter should be less than one page.
  4. Don’t resale yourself. Your interview was your sales opportunity, not your thank you letter. Just mention a few main points.
  5. Keep it clear from clutter. Don’t get off topic. Only talk about items that are relevant to the interview process.
Follow these five steps and you will see why a thank you is more important than a resume. Resumes are a common item seen in every interview...thank you letters make you stand out because they are rarely sent after an interview. Click here for more reasons to write thank you letters after an interview.

Stand out…write a thank you!

PS. I also accept thank you letters ;-)

5 comments:

  1. I agree. I think a thank you note is a must. I've heard people say they don't consider candidates unless they send a follow-up thank you note. Curious: do you think it is OK to email a thank you note, or should they always be hand-written?

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    1. Elizabeth...Thanks for the comment!

      The question is, "Do you think it is OK to email a thank you note, or should they always be hand-written?"

      The answer is completely situational. An emailed thank you note is okay to send, especially in today's fast-paced business environment. Analyze the company when you interview. If the company seems to be more conservative, maybe a hand-written thank you would have more meaning. If the company appears to be very tech-savvy, send an email to the person who interviewed you.(After all, there usually is an direct email address listed on their business card.) If you feel they are going to make a hiring decision quick...send the email because it will reach the recipient in real-time. Overall, email thank you notes are acceptable. If you think about it, you still took the time to write the note...just in a different media. Hope this helps!

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    2. Thanks for answering my question. You make a good point about taking into consideration how quickly they plan to make a hiring decision.

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  2. I agree too, a thank you note might be that differentiator you are ooking for. I would go with email, just because of the fact that its quick and easy.

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  3. I think emails are acceptable. Some employers today won't even look at a printed resume - they only accept them online. I would tend to agree that more conservative companies may value a handwritten note more. That being said, many people barely take the time to write personal emails to an individuals, so even doing this could set you apart.

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