The Art Of Thank You Notes

Why Teaching Your Kids To Write Thank You Notes Now May Help Them Get A Job Later

I’ve been following a recent conversation on Twitter via @Careerealism, the moniker of Careerealism.com, a website that provides free daily career news and perspective for the proactive job seeker. The conversation centered on the best way to follow up after an interview – phone call, e-mail or thank you note? Many followers chimed in. Some insisted that e-mails are the way to go, as they are less disruptive and more respectful of the interviewer’s time. Others felt that a phone call was the gutsy and more distinctive choice.

I agree with the proponents of the good old-fashioned thank you note. I was the only candidate, according to my boss, who sent a note after the interview. That single act stood out in his mind (in addition to my qualifications, of course), and ultimately led to my hiring. A brief, well-written note of thanks to a prospective employer lets that person know you took time to put pen to paper – a lost art these days, and a sign that you would welcome the chance to speak with them again.

I was taught by my mother at an early age to write thank you notes. Every birthday, Christmas and religious rite of passage saw her put a batch of notes and stamps in my hands. To this day she reminds me to send them, and I’m 30 years old! I used to think it was a bit overbearing, but now I am grateful she instilled the practice in me. I’ll do the same thing for my daughters as soon as they learn to write. And hopefully it will help them land their dream job one day.



Check out frequently asked questions about thank you notes and job interviews at QuintCareers.com, and get advice on what to include in your note at Monster.com.