Career Management Alliance Blog

Over on the Microsoft JobsBlog, there is a post about thank you letters. The blogger states that no one expects you to write a thank you letter and you will never be offered or denied a position based on a thank you letter. Perhaps it is not the culture of Microsoft to expect a thank you letter following an interview, but I am sure that many employers still see value in them and here’s why:

• A thank you letter is a way to reconnect with the interviewer and express gratitude for their time. The letter deepens the relationship established during the interview and gives the employer a reason to continue the dialog.
• A thank you letter reminds the employer of your value add. A recruiter or hiring authority meets many candidates. By briefly reiterating your accomplishments and success stories, the thank you letter can help differentiate you from your competition, make you more memorable, and get you noticed.
• A thank you letter showcases your written communication skills. Employers want to hire people with strong writing skills and the ability to influence others through a persuasive writing style. A well-crafted and thoughtful letter can build a strong case for your ability to do just that.
• A thank you letter demonstrates good manners. Employers want to hire people who are gracious, show respect for others, and work well in teams. A thank you letter suggests a propensity to embrace these important traits.
• A thank you letter reminds the employer of your interest in the job. By reaching out to the person you interviewed with, you are letting them know that you want to contribute to their team and help them solve their problems.

I’ve certainly never heard a recruiter or hiring manager say “Ugggh! I can’t believe this person wrote me a thank you letter!” On the other hand, I have heard recruiters and hiring managers comment on the value of an authentic and well-written letter. While it’s true that some hiring authorities may view the letter as inconsequential, why take a chance?

Posted by Barbara Safani

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One of the early life lessons every child is taught is to remember to say “please” and “thank you.” When it comes to job search, however, it appears that many people have forgotten the lesson. According to an MSNBC article, most studies show that well below 40% of job seekers send thank you letters after an interview - even though most hiring managers indicate that they expect to receive an expression of thanks.

If only two out of five people are sending thank you notes, you have the opportunity to really stand out. Use a thank you note for any or all of the following reasons:

1. To show common courtesy and gratitude for the opportunity.
2. To reiterate a point you made that you felt was well received and remind the interviewers why they were positively impressed.
3. To recover from a weak answer by offering your thoughts after you’ve had further time to reflect on the question.

Author Susan Ireland (The Complete Idiot’s Guide to the Perfect Resume) wrote on this topic in her blog last week, noting that how you send the note may depend on the nature of the relationship. I would suggest that an email is appropriate if time is of the essence (e.g., if you’ve been told that the decision will be made by the end of the next day), if it’s an IT position, or if email has been your primary means of communicating with the employer. A word-processed letter would most likely be well received in a conservative, traditional environment. And a hand-written note, perhaps on an attractive blank greeting card, would be well suited in a setting that values relationships. Remember to send individual thank yous to each person you meet with if you’re interviewed by more than one person.

Asked about thank you letters, the Vice President of Talent Strategies for Coca-Cola told an audience of career management experts that she didn’t care how people sent them, just as long as they did. So give yourself the upper hand, and send a thank you note after your interview.

Posted by Wendy Gelberg

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Your job search is not about you. From an employer’s perspective, it is not about what you need, what you want, or what you expect.

It is totally about the value you offer him. What you can do for the company that goes right to the bottom line. How you can solve their pain, improve workflow processes, increase profitability and/or productivity, or otherwise make things better.

When you recognize your unique contribution (brand) and understand how to effectively articulate it, you will begin to compete on a playing field that has little competition. That is because,

––Your resume is value–driven rather than responsibility–driven.
––Your cover letter is clear about what you can do for the company rather than about what you want.
––You have built and constantly nurture a solid network by giving as well as receiving.
––You can “walk the talk” by backing up your experience with C–A–R (challenge–action–result) stories that speak directly to your value.

There are few job search candidates who take the time to do all four well. Those who do, have a distinct advantage over the competition.

Posted by Cindy Kraft

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