Many job search best practices have evolved in the digital age, from how to contact recruiters and identify job openings, to how to build and submit personalized resumes.
While it used to be standard to mail a post-interview thank you note to every person you met on the hiring committee, today it’s less clear if this step is still required . It can be confusing to figure out the specific protocol around thank you notes and other forms of communication with a prospective employer.
We review some of the latest advice in this area, including current advice on email, social media, text, and postal thank you notes.
to send or not to send?
Although only a quarter of applicants send thank you notes after an interview, 80% of hiring managers feel they are helpful in helping them evaluate candidates, according to a survey conducted by robert half international. That’s probably one of the main reasons why the general consensus among the business community is that thank you notes remain an essential part of the job search.
Since many HR and hiring managers appreciate thank you notes, it makes sense to incorporate them into your interview process to help you stand out. Thank you notes not only add a positive impression to any connection you already have with a potential employer, but they also give you an opportunity to express your appreciation for the opportunity you’ve been given to interview.
when to send
Now that you know that thank you notes are a must for a successful job search, when is the best time to send them? time is definitely of the essence as hiring decisions can be made quickly.
Be sure to send your interview thank you note within 24 hours of your meeting. your goal is to stay fresh in the minds of your interviewers during the period of time they are thinking about your hiring decision.
how to send
While sending a handwritten or typed letter used to be the expectation, 94% of hiring managers agree that sending a thank you note via email is perfectly appropriate.
Even if you have contact information for texting or communicating with people on the hiring team through social media, don’t use these methods to send your thank you notes. they are too informal and could be seen by recruiters as too familiar methods of contact for job candidates.
what to send
With the logistics determined, now is the time to get down to business: making what you say in your thank you note as effective and meaningful as possible, while avoiding potential missteps. A “short and sweet” approach is best..
The primary goal of your communication should be to keep the recipient in mind by thanking them for the opportunity to meet them, while reiterating your interest in the job. You can also briefly explain how his experience and skill set make him an ideal candidate for the specific position and company.
Be sure to check your message very carefully. Furthermore, while you are undoubtedly curious about the salary, the thank you note is the wrong vehicle to inquire about such details. wait until you have a job offer in hand before mentioning salary or benefits if they haven’t already been discussed.
and if you met with more than one person on a team individually, be sure to set individual notes for each person instead of trying to save time with a single message. if you are meeting with a panel, a message may suffice.
be thankful
The thank you note remains a vital step in the job search process, and it’s important to think through the details of when, how, and what you send rather than rushing into something. By putting a little energy into saying thank you during the post-interview process, you may help your application soar to the top.