| You've done everything right in your job search. | | | | marketplace, everyone should be going to all the |
| Resume? Check. Cover letter? Finished. Research for | | | | lengths possible to brand themselves, create positive |
| the interview? Done. | | | | impressions and convince prospective employers to |
| In fact, you've already had your first interview on | | | | hire them. |
| Friday and completely hit it out of the ballpark. For | | | | Why would anyone want to miss this important step |
| every question that was thrown your way, you were | | | | altogether, and more importantly, not take advantage |
| able to answer with knowledge and enthusiasm, | | | | of another opportunity to sell themselves as the ideal |
| providing great examples of why you are the best | | | | choice for the job? |
| candidate. | | | | The truth is that we all know what happens. We get |
| Afterward, as you are walking out the door, you are | | | | caught up in the daily routine and tasks, and the next |
| congratulating yourself on a job well done and are | | | | thing we know, it is a week later, and the thought |
| confident that the job is 'in the bag.' You head home, | | | | occurs that perhaps we should have sent something |
| and are quickly caught up in a weekend whirlwind of | | | | to the employer. Thinking it is too late, we decide, well, |
| activity, all the while thinking in the back of your mind | | | | perhaps it doesn't matter. |
| what a great job you did in the interview. | | | | But the point is: It DOES matter. |
| Except for one thing. | | | | Many employers point to the fact that thank you notes |
| You didn't seal the deal. There's something that you | | | | can make the difference of hiring someone or not, and |
| neglected to do that would have set you apart as an | | | | human resource and hiring managers alike put a |
| exceptional candidate. | | | | certain amount of weight on those thank you notes |
| Most of us (yours truly included) at some point have | | | | when considering candidates. And in this crowded job |
| positively FAILED to do the one thing that would help | | | | marketplace, every little positive thing we can do to |
| position ourselves as the absolute top candidate. | | | | add more viability to our candidacy can make a big |
| We simply forgot to thank the prospective employer | | | | impact. |
| for the interview. | | | | A good way to view a thank you note is to see it as |
| It's a simple courtesy. | | | | another way to add another point or detail missed in |
| But it can make the difference as to whether you get | | | | the interview, a chance to connect at a personal level |
| the job by setting you apart not just as a viable | | | | with the interviewer, and also communicates how you |
| candidate, but as an exceptional candidate. | | | | see their time as well as an appreciation for the fact |
| A short thank you note is the best way to distinguish | | | | that they recognized the value that you offer for that |
| yourself from the rest of the pack. | | | | company. |
| Why? | | | | A sure-fire way to ensure that you take advantage of |
| In the world of advertising, the rule of thumb is that it | | | | this opportunity is to proactively go out and purchase |
| takes a minimum of five (5) impressions before a | | | | some blank thank you cards (DollarTree has them for |
| message begins to stick. As you look holistically at the | | | | $1), and purchase the appropriate amount of "Forever" |
| entire interview process, each interaction with the | | | | stamps so you have them at the ready. |
| target company is an impression that serves to 'brand' | | | | In the interview, write down your interviewer(s) |
| you to that organization. The thank you note is the icing | | | | name(s), and as soon as you leave the interview, write |
| on the cake. The cherry on top of the sundae. It | | | | up the thank you notes and address them, then stop |
| makes the deal complete, and it conveys a level of | | | | at the post office on the way home to drop them off. |
| professionalism and efficiency that reassures the | | | | Getting the notes into the mail ASAP is imperative |
| employer that they would make the right decision in | | | | because you never know when the final decision will |
| hiring you. | | | | be made. Showing a high level of organization in |
| A staggering 96% of all interviewees do NOT send | | | | addition to your thoughtfulness also sends a powerful, |
| thank you notes. Let's put it this way: Wouldn't you | | | | direct message to the target employer. |
| want to be in the top 4% of your interview 'graduating | | | | Don't just be a good candidate. Do the right thing and |
| class' by sending a note? In the competitive job | | | | be an EXCEPTIONAL one. |