Dear Employer: You Rock. Thanks For the Memories

Any and every legitimate job search website tells you time and time again how important it is to follow up with the employer after the interview with a simple thank you note. In today’s world, people seem to think they do not have to be polite to get where they wish to be. The reality is that the thank you note, as silly as it may seem, is still one of the most important aspects of a job interview. Forgetting it may easily blow any chance you have of getting the job.

Monster.com addressed this in an article this past year entitled “The Power of a Simple Thank You Note”. In their article they address several points that are strongly worth repeating here.

Reasons to Follow Up With a Thank You Letter

• Shows Written Communication Skills

Though they list this as number 5 in their article, it is perhaps one of the most important aspects of the thank you note. Your ability to write and communicate effectively is a major part of most jobs. A thank you note that is well written showcases your skill in writing. It acts as evidence that you can do your job effectively.

• Shows You’re Thoughtful

Employers don’t judge applicants based on credentials alone. They also look for personalities that will fit into the workplace. There is literally no such thing as a workplace that doesn’t appreciate thoughtful people. Or, if there is, you don’t want to work there, because your coworkers are probably jerks. Either way, showing you are thoughtful is a victory for you.

• Shows You Exist

You don’t truly know how many applicants are applying for the job. Thank you notes are a “Hey, remember me?” to the interviewer, forcing them to continue to think about your candidacy no matter how many people they have interviewed. The longer you stay on their minds, the better.

Additional Thank You Letter Benefits

Though it may be hard to believe, thank you letters are rare. Applicants simply don’t send them out nearly as often as they should, which is unfortunate since employers have started to expect them from strong applicants. Still, this is an advantage for you, since you will be one of the few to take time out of their day to acknowledge the employer.

Also, thank you notes allow you to reiterate your strong points (especially those that you did not emphasize nearly enough at the job interview) and give you the opportunity to show that you were listening. You can also ask questions that may be interesting to you (or at least interesting to the employer) and give yourself an edge long after the interview is over.

There is simply no reason not to send a thank you letter, and many reasons to do so. Thank you letters may have no ultimate effect on your ability to get a job in the end, but one thing is clear: They have the potential to benefit your candidacy, and a well written thank you note cannot harm it.

Take Away Interview Tips

• Send in a thank you letter at the end of your job interview.

Related posts:

1. Why Negotiating a Higher Salary is Good for the Employer
2. Does The Employer Care About the Jobs, Cont.
3. Interview Question: Tell Me About the Greatest Contribution You Made to an Employer?