Thank You Note Dos and Don’ts
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Writing a letter is a difficult task for many people. What is even more difficult, however, is writing an adequate thank you note to an employer. While you might feel as though thank you letters are outdated, they are not. A thank you note, no matter how difficult, should be written to every employer you interviewed with during your tedious job hunt. These tips should make it a bit easier for you to find the proper words to thank your interviewers; along the way we’ll take a look at what you definitely shouldn’t do.



The Dos of a Thank You Note



1. Make sure you send a thank you note. People tend to think that thank you letters are “dead” and there is never a need to send one. However, they show your employer just how much effort you are willing to put into getting the job. Sending a thank you note can give you the extra push you need over your competition.



2. Send a thank you note to each interviewer. Now this is where things get tricky for many candidates. While interviewing for a position such as an executive rehab supervisor, you might be required to interview with multiple individuals. People such as the current position holder, the hiring manager and even the owner of the facility. No matter the number of people you interview with, ensure to handwrite or email a thank you note to each individual person that interviewed you.



3. Incorporate all Necessary Information. When you interview with people, you need to ensure that you are incorporating all the necessary information. Such information includes:



01. The name of the individual you are writing the letter to (NEVER use a generic “To whom it may concern” – you didn’t interview a robot, did you?) to avoid ambiguity.



02. The position you applied for with a brief description of the position.



03. Mention something you discussed during your interviewer to help jog their memory. Often, the same people are interviewing many candidates for the same position, and they can start to run together.



04. Reiterate your interest in the position.



05. Your appreciation for his or her time.



06. Inquire about additional steps within the hiring process, but only if you are unsure. If they have laid them out for you, asking in your note will make you sound like you can’t listen.



07. Your contact information so they can reach you.



08. Send it In a Timely Fashion. The sooner you send it off, the sooner the employer will see how serious you are about the position. Your best bet is to write the note immediately after the interview (so it’s fresh in your mind) and drop it in the mail the same day.




The Don’ts of a Thank You Note



1. Do not write the letter ahead of schedule. By this, we mean that you should wait until after the interview so that you can express specific key points from the interview in your letter. Generic or ambiguous letters lead nowhere and show the employer that you did not pay attention and lack attentiveness.



2. Do NOT text message a thank you note. There is nothing more unprofessional than texting your interviewer with a thank you, no matter when the hiring decision is going to be determined. Send an email if you feel the hiring decision will be made prior to a snail mail, handwritten letter. It is more acceptable than a text message any day.



3. Do NOT make spelling or typographical errors. Proofread once. Proofread twice. Proofread three times prior to sending any thank you letter to ensure the validity and professionalism of it. Nothing screams “bad candidate” like poor grammar or bad spelling.



4. Do NOT sound desperate in your letter. One common mistake made in letters is that candidates sound too desperate in their letters. A thank you note is just that – a note to thank the employer for taking you into consideration and reiterating your strengths. Do not beg for the position.



Never Skip Out on a Thank You Note



When it comes to writing a proper thank you letter, it is vital to remember the key dos and don’ts. Never skip out on writing a thank you letter. A recent study outlined that more than 22% of all hiring managers stated they would not hire a candidate who did not send a thank you letter. In their opinion, the candidate lacked initiative and follow-through, two important key factors in any position.



Take time out of your day to typewrite or handwrite a letter to send to your potential employer to ensure that you have the most optimal chances of being hired.