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Thoughts on thanks; A simple note is all it takes for job candidates to convey enthusiasm, interest

By Kristi Elliott, Source: Tribune Media Services

As the job market picks up, job seekers may suddenly find themselves struggling to keep up with sending out resumes, being poised for phone screens and having a suit pressed in time for the next interview. It’s easy for something to fall by the wayside in this busy time. While many job candidates have polished their cover letters and resumes to a shine in the downturn, one thing they have not had a chance to spiff up is a go-to thank-you note.

“This is an issue I think recent college grads, in particular, could use some guidance on, as they’ve grown up in an e-mail/texting age in which the rules of professional conduct aren’t clear,” says Lauren Gard, a client manager at Infinite Public Relations in San Francisco, which often hires interns from LA-area colleges.

“I am consistently surprised by the lack of follow-up from candidates who express great interest in the position prior to and during an interview.”

Role playing

In some careers, a thank-you note isn’t just a formality, it’s integral to the job. For candidates in careers where a lot of client follow-up is necessary, the thank-you letter can be the first test the candidate must pass.

“Given that my company is in the public relations sector, and a large part of carrying out effective PR entails being politely persistent, a lack of follow-up is one of the biggest indications to me that even seemingly qualified candidates may not be successful in the position,” Gard says.

Deciding the means by which to send a thank-you note can also be determined by the interviewer’s role. When interviewing with a video game programmer, it may seem natural that they would prefer an e-mail follow-up, while a hand-written note may seem more fitting when interviewing with a book publisher.

Lisa Anderson, senior business and operations executive of LMA Consulting Group in Claremont, cautions that an interviewer’s role isn’t always a giveaway as to how they will best respond to a thank-you note.

“I’ve found that, even for technically savvy executives, a typed letter with a hand-written note on top gets through the pile more rapidly than anything else,” Anderson says. “In one situation, I sent multiple e-mails and placed several phone calls to an IT executive who prided herself on her technical expertise, and nothing worked. As a last resort, I sent snail mail, and I received a call the next day.”

Spread the thanks

Regardless of the position for which you’re interviewing, everyone you’ve interviewed with should receive some kind of thank you letter. Gard says this should occur even if the interaction was brief, and the follow-up should be fast – within 24 hours of the interview.

“Even better, I recommend sending an e-mail within 24 hours of the interview and sending a hand-written note as well,” Gard says. “Sending a handwritten note that arrives a few days later is also a good trick of sorts in that often, a number of candidates are interviewed in the span of a few days, and chances are that the note will arrive during the hiring decision-making process. Or, it may arrive after a preferred candidate has turned down the position and spark renewed interest in the note writer. So, in any case, good timing.”

Anderson agrees that a handwritten note can help a candidate stand out from the crowd.

“It is OK to send the note via e-mail; however, it is less effective overall,” she says. “It is better than not sending a thank-you note though.”

It’s the content that counts

Regardless of the method of sending the thank-you note, the content should be the same.

“The most important item to include in the thank you note is to refer to something that occurred in the interview and relate it to tangible results you can help the potential employer achieve; however, it must be succinct as executives are busy,” Anderson says.

Gard suggests a sample sentence of “I was particularly excited when you mentioned the firm’s desire to bring in clients in INDUSTRY X because my experience and interest in XX will enable me to help you do that,” as a way to tie together content and results.

She adds one thing that definitely should not be discussed in a thank-you letter: Salary.

“A thank-you note is not the time to begin negotiations,” Gard says.

© 2012, Tribune Media Services