Thanks, but no thanks

Survey Shows Thank-You Notes Influence Hiring Decisions,
But Only Half of Candidates Send Them

Your mother told you to do it, and now a new survey shows she was right; sending a thank-you note following a job interview not only displays impeccable manners but also gives job hopefuls a memorable edge over other applicants.

In a survey conducted by recruitment firm OfficeTeam, 88 percent of managers polled said that sending a thank-you note can boost a job seekerís chances, however, they estimated that half of all applicants fail to do so.

ìRegardless of how someone believes they performed during the interview, sending a short thank-you note afterward demonstrates initiative and courtesy,î said Amy Klingel, Division Director, OfficeTeam. ìConveying appreciation in a well-written message is not only polite, it also can distinguish a job applicant from others vying for the same position.î

Klingel added that the best strategy is often to send an email shortly after the interview, followed by more formal correspondence. ìEmail ensures immediacy, but often hiring managers still favour the personal touch of a handwritten note,î she said.

Klingel challenges jobseekers to ìPlace yourself in the position of a hiring manager.î ìThey may have met a number of impressive and qualified candidates during the recruitment process, possibly over an extended period of time. An articulate follow-up message not only reminds them of who you are but also conveys continued interest in the role and can act to strengthen your applicationî.

According to Klingel, thank-you notes should be just a few paragraphs in length and accomplish three objectives:

- Express your appreciation for the opportunity of being interviewed and considered for the role,
- Reinforce your interest in the job, and
- Restate the value and experience that you can bring to the organisation.