I need to first come clean… I NEVER send thank you noted, except for interviews. I have even told people, if you expect a thank you note for giving me a gift, then don’t give it. I know it sounds selfish and arrogant but for some reason, I don’t do them. I blame my parents:)
But when it comes to interviews thank you notes (emails) are invaluable. I can think of two people off the top of my head that were told that they go the position over another candidate specifically because of the thank you note. The serve a few purposes:
- Reiterate why you are interested in the position.
- It is polite and nice. Remember, you are nice in interviews.
- If you feel you blew the interview, this is the time to fix that.
- It shows that you are really interested in the position.
I know a lot of people think that thank you notes are out of date but I am telling you, they are more valuable than a cover letter. I press people who I work with in their job search to send a thank you email to everyone they interview with. Why wouldn’t you? Remember how hard you worked to get that interview and how frustrating it is to not get an interview? Then why would you waste this opportunity?
The Man
Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.
Carl Bard