Do You Still Need to Send a Thank-You Note After a Job Interview

Do You Still Need to Send a Thank-You Note After a Job InterviewDo You Still Need to Send a Thank-You Note After a Job Interview2Many best practices of the job search have evolved in the digital era, from how to contact recruiters and identify open positions, to how to craft and submit resumes.While it used to be voreingestellt after completing a job interview to send a thank-you notenzeichen (via snail mail) to each person you met on the hiring committee, its less clear today whether this step is still mandatory. It can also be confusing to figure out the specific protocol around post-interview thank-you notes and other forms of communication with a prospective employer.Lets go over some of the latest recommendations in this area, including current advice on which format is best for thank-you notes between email, social media, texting, or paper mail.To send or not to send?Even though only a quarter of applicants send thank-you notes after an interview, 80%of HR managers feel they ar e useful in helping them evaluate candidates, according to a survey by Accountemps. Thats likely a major reason why the general consensus among the business community is that thank-you notes are still an essential parte of the job search.Monster.comcalls the practice of sending thank-you notes after job interviews an important part of any job-hunting strategy, emphasizing that these critical communications can add a positive impression to an already positive connection. The Balancestates that the need to send a thank-you note to your interviewers hasnt changed, since it gives you a chance to express your appreciation for the opportunity of meeting with them.And Romy Newman, president and cofounder of Fairygodboss, says that the answer is unequivocally YES. You should most definitely send a thank-you note, adding that she simply would not hire anyone who doesnt send a thank-you note following the interview. The Musesuggests that a well-written thank-you note can help tip the balance when the competition is particularly stiff, such as when you know youre being compared with one specific candidate who has similar credentials.When you send it matters.Now that you know thank-you notes are a job-search imperative, its time to figure out the best way to send them. Time is definitely of the essence when getting your thank-you notes out the door. Hiring decisions can happen quickly, so waiting too long to send your note can render it irrelevant and defeat its purpose. Its a great practice to craft thank-you notes as soon as you return home from your interview (or right after you get off the phone), and be koranvers to click send on your email within 24 hours of your meeting with the hiring committee. Your goal is to remain fresh on your interviewers minds during the window of time that theyre thinking about their hiring decision.How you send it matters.In surveying advice from a range of career experts, its clear that theres some leeway here, though the type of company you met with can help guide your choice of delivery method. While mailing a handwritten or typed letter used to be expected, the Accountemps survey mentioned above found that the vast majority of HR managers agree its perfectly appropriate to send a thank-you note via email. (And in fact, just under two-thirds of the thank-you notes they receive- 65%- arrive in their email inbox rather than their mailbox.)Some companies, though, are more traditional and formal. If this is the case with the organization that interviewed you, then you may score extra protocol points for mailing your thank-you note. Even if you have contact info to text or reach people on the hiring gruppe via social media, dont use these methods to send thank-you notes. They are too informal and could be seen by recruiters as overly familiar contact methods for job candidates.What you send matters.With logistics determined, now its time to get down to brass tacks making what you say in your thank-you note as effectiv e and meaningful as possible, while avoiding possible faux pas. A short and sweet approach is best- the main objective of your communication should be to stay top of mind with the recipient by thanking him or her for the opportunity to meet, while reiterating your interest in the job. You can also briefly hammer home the point that you feel your background and skill set make you the ideal candidate for the specific position and company.Be sure to proofread your message very carefully one misspelling or typo at this stage can turn your savvy strategy into a red flag that steers the hiring manager in another direction. Also, while youre undoubtedly curious about the salary, the thank-you note is the wrong vehicle to ask about such details. Wait until you have a job offer in hand before bringing up benefits. And if you met with more than one person on a team, be sure to tailor individual notes to each person rather than trying to save time with a single message.As you can see, the than k-you note is still a step that you shouldnt skip in your job search process- and you should carefully think through the details of when, how, and what you send rather than hastily dashing something off. By putting some energy into this process at a time you might feel like relaxing post-interview, you just might help your application rise to the top of the heap.