Definition of a Thank You Note
"Thank you" is a powerful statement. Unfortunately it is
heard too seldom. Every thank you is an opportunity to sell your
qualifications and to leave a fresh impression in the mind of the
reader. Send a thank you letter or note to employers and employment
contacts whenever they have extended themselves in any way on behalf of
your job search. At the minimum a written thank you should be sent after
all interviews. This is your opportunity to make one more impression
before the decision is made.
Thank you letters and notes should be standard tools in your job
search. The thank you letter should follow a standard business letter
format while the note may be a simple hand written note or card. Which
to send depends upon the situation and your personal style.
Thank you Letter Point to Consider
Be brief and to the point.
When thanking a potential employer restate your interest in the
position and/or company.
Always plan your follow-up. Make it a point to tell the person when
and how they can expect to hear from you in the future.
If there are multiple people involved, such as with a panel
interview, be sure to thank each person. Send one letter to each person
or send a single letter to a key person for distribution. When sending
more than one thank you it is very effective to vary each one.
Always send a written thank you to a person by name.
The thank you is an opportunity to restate your qualifications.
Briefly include any pertinent information you failed to mention earlier.
Be sure to reemphasize your qualifications or abilities.
Write and mail the thank you as soon after the encounter as possible,
preferably the same day while details are fresh in your mind. |