The Power of the Simple Words “Thank You”
January 24, 2012 
10 Comments
The New Year brings with it new hopes, dreams and resolutions to exact change in our lives. For many people this means finding a new job. However, years of recession and economic struggle has made the job search more difficult than ever considering the number of qualified candidates and the paucity of available jobs. So job seekers need to step it up, and though many obsess over their resumes, cover letters and building their networks, they often forget a very important element in the interviewing process.
This article explains, “Believe it or not, a thank-you card could be the deal-breaker in your hiring, according to a study conducted last year by CareerBuilder. The research found that more than one in five hiring managers is less likely to bring a potential employee on board if the interviewee did not send a thank-you note.”
Don’t let the emotionally-charged wake of post-interview stress lead to stupid mistakes. As you meet with your significant other over dinner and drinks to discuss what went right, what went wrong and your chances of landing an offer or a follow-up interview, don’t forget that you’re not done. Compose an intelligent and sincere thank you letter that reiterates your gratitude for your interviewer’s time and why you’re such an excellent fit for the job.
Remember not to walk away from the interview without the information you need to send the appropriate people a thank you letter. Ask for business cards. And, yes, it is acceptable to send your thank you letter via email. Do so within 48 hours. Don’t use form letters. Don’t rely of spell-check to edit your writing. Include some mention of something funny or poignant that occurred during your interview to refresh their memory of the interview and you. A well-crafted thank you letter may make all of the difference.
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Categories: Career Advice, College Graduates, College Students, Internships, Interview Tips, Job Hunting Strategies, Job Market, Why ResumeBear?
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Writing thank you notes seems to be a lost art anyway. From thanking grandma for the $5 to thanking someone for a wedding gift, to thanking a hiring manager for taking the time to see you, it is no longer a natural response to receiving something of value from someone else. How interesting that in this situation it could be the key factor tipping the balance toward you from another equally qualified candidate!
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Sending a “Thank You” note often seems old-fashioned and unnecessary in today’s world, but can make such a big difference to the receiver. I’m not surprised to learn that’s true for hiring managers, too. Everyone likes to be acknowledged for their time and attention. Plus, it says volumes about the applicant’s sincerity and attention to detail.
“People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care”
― John C. Maxwell
It is a nice touch and a great way to show others that you are courteous and sincere.
I wonder whether that’s true in every industry. I work in the IT industry, and I simply cannot imagine many engineers sending thank you notes to hiring managers. And I don’t believe this is meant disrespectfully in any way, it’s just not usual IMO. Maybe you have other experiences?
The value of politeness and good manners will never go out of style. An employer has taken his or her valuable time to review your resume, sit through an appointment and consider your services. The least you can do is send a Thank You note.
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Fantastic article. The power of a thank yo card can not be understated. Which is why I hope you can checkout our website thankster.com. We easily let people send thank you notes in the mail with ease. We even let you create a font out of their own handwriting. Please check it out and let us know what you think.
You Cant fault people for what they don’t know or learn. Our society has changed. If your not teaching the next generation what is expected or the value in something they will most likely look at you like your crazy. So don’t expect what is not being taught. People just must understand the power in saying thank you. Whether it be a phone call or just a real sincere verbal Thank you in person. I believe most people have been taught how to say Thank you.
Yes, It is a true fact. This simple words of appreciation really does bring sweetness in our life and also build a good rapport with the people.
Love this article. It seems we are becoming so electronically connected that we forget the simple things like verbally thanking others and taking the time for nice thank you notes. Doing this simple thing will set you apart from others.