Thank You Notes? Here’s Why You Need To Send Them

Cover letters are like thank you notes . . .

For every recruiter or hiring manager who says they don’t read them, there’s another who says they do.

And occasionally, I’ve heard that a candidate’s thank you note was the reason they got the job.

Just as with cover letters, the key is to make a compelling argument for them to hire YOU.

Boring thank you notes that read “thank you for taking the time to meet with me… Blah blah blah“ are a waste of time.

Here are 5 ways to spark the hiring manager’s interest in you.

➡️ Share a couple of things you will do in your first 30 days on the job. Don’t reveal your entire 30-day plan. Just give them a taste.

➡️ Recap why you would be a good fit. Connect the dots between your skills and experience and what you learned in the interview about the job.

➡️ Mention something specific from your conversation with the interviewer that increased your interest in the role or company, or both.

➡️ Address any concerns that came up during the interview. Share a time you handled a situation, mention a course you are taking to improve a skill, etc.

➡️ Repeat your enthusiasm about contributing to the company. Employers want to know that you are excited about working with them. Not just getting a job.

I’m a firm believer in taking advantage of every opportunity during a job search. Following up after a job interview is part of that.

Maybe the hiring manager doesn’t read or put any value in thank you notes.

But what if they do?