Anatomy of a Great Thank You Letter
By JoAnn Nix
A Great Resume Service

The majority of job seekers fail to realize the impact "thank you" letters have in their quest for career success. Today's savvy job seeker is a relentless networker, but often fails to show appreciation to those he or she encounters along the trail to success. Each person has a genuine need to be appreciated and recognized for their efforts. Writing "thank you" letters during your campaign will set you apart from your competition, propel you to success, and give you the opportunity to demonstrate kindness and appreciation.

WHO SHOULD RECEIVE "THANK YOU" LETTERS?

Nearly all job seekers believe that a "thank you" letter's intended audience is solely an interviewer. Conversely, do not neglect to craft letters to each person who provides valuable assistance and information. Create a simple database to track information such as name, address, phone number, company/employer, e-mail address and date letter was mailed. Your list may include friends and colleagues who provide leads, receptionists / "gatekeepers", reference librarians, recruiters, members of your career team, and others you meet.

Furthermore, do not forget to write letters following initial telephone conversations, luncheons and informational interviews as well as letters to those who serve as a professional reference. In these instances, I would suggest handwritten notes or computer-generated letters on nice stationery in lieu of e-mail, if possible. And, each letter should be unique and original and mailed without delay.

Finally, if you decline an offer immediately write the interviewer and genuinely express your appreciation for his or her interest and time - you might encounter this person again during your career!

A CLOSER LOOK AT AFTER-INTERVIEW LETTERS

A small margin of job seekers do compose after-interview/follow-up letters, albeit they are mundane and straight to the point. The content usually follows this path: "I appreciate the opportunity to interview with you today. I am confident that I can be of value to your organization. I will be waiting for your call."

The after-interview letter, for first and second interviews, is a prime opportunity for the candidate to resell his or her key credentials, reiterate pertinent information, and discuss subjects not covered during the initial meeting. Depending on the nature of the interview, you can tailor your letter in any "direction." For example, now that you have a clear picture of the scope of responsibilities and expectations, you could restate some of your previous accomplishments and relate how they link to the company's objectives. Giving the interviewer confidence in his or her decision to hire you, is your key goal.

ADDITIONAL TIPS

The likelihood that you will interview with several key players is becoming more of a norm in today's business culture. Therefore, you will need to personalize the content of each letter, especially if you spent a considerable amount of time with these individuals.

For managers and executives, it would be a wise idea to incorporate a "proposal" into your follow-up letter. This strategy will ensure you remain in the lead! You don't want to give away "the farm," but addressing some of their critical business issues and introducing solutions coupled with your timeframe for project implementation, would be an added value. You could present milestones for 3, 6 and 12 months.

There is no written rule that the formal "thank you" has to be in the form of a letter. I recently read a very clever "thank you" poem. If you decide to use such tactic, be mindful of your audience. This form of creativity may not work well in all corporate cultures. On the other hand, I do believe that "daring to be different" might work - again know your audience.

I recommend preparing and sending letters at least within 24 hours - too early and you will appear desperate. Utilizing Express Mail or Federal Express will, again, make an impression. If you interview in another city, it would be smart to mail the letter or drop it by the office prior to returning home.

Last, do not forget to show your appreciation to those who played a role in hiring you!

SUMMARY

Thank you letters are a simple common courtesy and are excellent tools to integrate into a successful campaign. Show your appreciation to everyone who plays a role in your search. It's not necessary to send repeated letters to the same person - you certainly do not want to annoy or alienate anyone. Finally, remember to sell yourself once more and in a timely manner and you just might "thank" yourself right into a job!

JoAnn Nix is a Certified Professional Resume Writer and founded A Great Resume Service Inc. in late 1992. She is a highly active member of Professional Resume Writers Association and Career Masters Institute. She is a regional speaker, has been profiled on a local news station, and has penned several off-line and on-line career articles. JoAnn's work has been published in resume writing books and her cover letters are featured in Cover Letter Majic and Knock 'Em Dead Cover Letters! JoAnn has assisted nearly 5,000 clients throughout the world with resumes, cover letters, and after-interview letters.

You can Email JoAnn at info@agreatresume.com

(c) Copyright 2000 JoAnn Nix. All rights reserved. You may print a copy of this article for your personal viewing. However, no other use of this article is allowed without prior written permission of the copyright holder.