Happy Thanksgiving! This year I am thankful for spending the day back home with my family, no more tests, and leftover blooming onion for breakfast. And while I wish that I could say I'm thankful for being gainfully employed when we go around the table later today, I am thankful that I still have active applications and a good support network.
Today, it is important to remember one very important person that we should thank all year: the potential employer. I know, I know, some may say that we shouldn't be too thankful until they become our actual employers, that we're being overly optimistic. But thank you notes play an important strategic role in turning potential employers into actual employers. Now, writing an exemplary thank you note will not erase a terrible interview, inadequate credentials or the fact that you vomited on the interviewer, but a bad thank you note (or no note at all) basically tells employers that we are disinterested, disorganized, lazy, forgetful. Obviously none of these are characteristics that an employer wants, and thus the dangers of writing a bad thank you note are great, so we may as well put the effort into writing a great one.
After your next interview, as soon as you can (but don't write it while driving) follow these tips:
1. Be traditional. Handwriting and regular mail may be relics of the past, but they go a long way with lawyers and employers. It may be the case that a potential employer prefers email - they will likely tell you that. Otherwise, stick it in the blue box. And, horror of horrors, write it by hand. It shows that you put time into it. While we may be doctors of law, we are not medical doctors and thus should not have illegible writing. If your handwriting is illegible, then type it and sign it. But really, it's a second grade skill and you don't need to be ambidextrous, so maybe that's a skill you should work on.
2. Be professional. You may have great Mr. Bean cards that you use for thank you's to your family, but those are probably not acceptable to use for a potential employer. Use a professional salutation, professional language and an appropriate card. For the outside of the envelope, follow the first rule: handwrite the address and return address. Again, if your handwriting is terrible, type it, but keep the Avengers address labels for something else. It's alright to show some personality, but just be smart about it.
3. Remind them who you are and why they want you. In your note incorporate something from the interview that reminds them who you are, and why they liked you. If they remember who you are, they will actually consider you for the position. Remind them of why you would be great for the position in one sentence, and reassert that you want the position. You can find templates online for more information on what should be in a thank you, but basically you want to be succinct, thank them, remind them who you are and why they want you, and that you want them.
4. Send it promptly. For it to be effective, you should send the note as soon as possible after the interview, ideally within a few hours. If the interview is far away, maybe bring your stationary with you and write it in a coffee shop immediately after the interview. The earlier they get it the quicker they can be reminded that they like you and be assured that you are interested, organized and thoughtful.
5. Send it to the right person. Keep track of who interviewed you. This is important for saying their name correctly before you leave and for being able to address your thank you notes. If four people interviewed you, write four thank you notes (and make sure they are unique). Doublecheck spellings of names before sending them. Receiving a business card will be the easiest way to do this, but you may need to do some investigatory work otherwise to get the information.
6. Proofread. Proofread the note, the name, the address, the amount of postage, everything. Thrice.
If you follow these rules, you should be able to avoid the terrible thank you note and hopefully send a stellar thank you note instead. This likely will not be your last correspondence with the employer. When you hear from them again, send another thank you letter re:
1. ACCEPTANCE! Accept the job offer in the way they require. This may be by mail, by email, by phone, or via Facebook, if they're strange and stuff.
2. Rejecting their offer - Do this in the manner they require and in a very respectful way. Also, why?! And can you send them my way?
3. A rejection letter. Now, if your experience has been like mine, most of these rejection letters are form letters. They do not give a real reason for why you didn't get the position, do not include a personal touch of any kind, and sometimes they even forget your name ("Dear [Insert Name]:"). However, you applied to this position for a reason - you wanted to work there. So, thank them for their consideration and implore them to keep you in mind should similar positions become available in the future. This has a slim possibility, but consider this situation: They hire X and reject you. You send a scathing letter after their rejection. X doesn't work out and they want to hire you. They receive said scathing letter. You do not get the job. Obviously this is oversimplified, but the fact remains that thank you notes are important.
This holiday reminds us of the importance and power of saying thank you. So be sure to thank all those potential employers, even if you're upset or crying or busy. Though maybe wait until those tears dry before writing. Salty, sloppy letters generally are not professional. If you're looking for more information, check this out. And remember, the thank you note may not necessarily make us, but it can certainly break us. So take the time and write out a thank you note to all those potential employers. And maybe they'll realize they're thankful for you, and hire you.
Now, go enjoy those three helpings of carbs, desserts, and turkey. Later today I will be writing a thank you note to food comas, on my Hogwarts thank you cards.
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