In this era of right now have we given up hand writing thank you notes? Recently I read an article written by Jen Burke Anderson called “Are thank-you notes passé in the e-mail age?” She spoke with an etiquette consultant who claims that thanking someone with a phone call or e-mail is passable, but a sent note is the best way to show your ap
preciation.
In the Scary Job Interview Thank You Note Story written on the Work Coach Café explains that yes you should still send a handwritten note to the interviewer but remember how you sign the letter and your message will be judged just as carefully as your personal interview. His suggestions are simple: keep it short, keep it sweet and watch for typos.
One key to whether or not you should send the interviewer an e-mail thank you note is to reflect on how you communicated with the person prior to the interview. For instance, if the person specifically requested that all communications be via email then it is perfectly acceptable to send an e-mail thank you note. On the other hand if the person called you on the phone and sent you a letter in the mail I would practice your penmanship you’ll have to send a handwritten note of thanks.
Virginia Tech Career Services reiterates my opinion “E-mail is appropriate when that has been your means of contact with the person you want to thank, or if your contact has expressed a preference for e-mail.” They also display some samples that can help inspire your letter writing.
If you need some more inspiration for how to write thank you notes check out this article I found called “7 Tips For Writing Thank You Letters With Class” written by Shawn Fawcett. The tips are basic but worth reviewing before you begin writing. Then head over to The Morning News “How to Write a Thank-You Note” for some in-depth instructions on what to do and why. Leslie Harpold notes that writing good thank you notes improves the frequency and quality of the gifts you receive. Now this is a great reason to break out the stationary.
preciation.In the Scary Job Interview Thank You Note Story written on the Work Coach Café explains that yes you should still send a handwritten note to the interviewer but remember how you sign the letter and your message will be judged just as carefully as your personal interview. His suggestions are simple: keep it short, keep it sweet and watch for typos.
One key to whether or not you should send the interviewer an e-mail thank you note is to reflect on how you communicated with the person prior to the interview. For instance, if the person specifically requested that all communications be via email then it is perfectly acceptable to send an e-mail thank you note. On the other hand if the person called you on the phone and sent you a letter in the mail I would practice your penmanship you’ll have to send a handwritten note of thanks.
Virginia Tech Career Services reiterates my opinion “E-mail is appropriate when that has been your means of contact with the person you want to thank, or if your contact has expressed a preference for e-mail.” They also display some samples that can help inspire your letter writing.
If you need some more inspiration for how to write thank you notes check out this article I found called “7 Tips For Writing Thank You Letters With Class” written by Shawn Fawcett. The tips are basic but worth reviewing before you begin writing. Then head over to The Morning News “How to Write a Thank-You Note” for some in-depth instructions on what to do and why. Leslie Harpold notes that writing good thank you notes improves the frequency and quality of the gifts you receive. Now this is a great reason to break out the stationary.
I think if you want to have someone think you are being sincere with your thank you you should handwrite it. Even typing seems impersonal and with email you don't even take the time to print it and mail it. If I was an employer I would definately take the person with the hand written thank you over an equally qualified person who sent a thank you email. However, I do think that a phone call would also be personal.
ReplyDeleteBrenda -
ReplyDeleteThank you notes are interesting! I like the 7 tips that were given out to help write one and for the right occasion. I believe that a hand-written thank you note is appropriate at any time. I do agree with the statement about following email conversation with an emailed thank you, but any time I feel a thank you is very appropriate. I think one of the most important tips of the 7 was to send one promptly. Getting a thank you a significant time later just makes it seem like the person looking for the job or interview doesn't care.
This post came a week too late. I just sent out some handwritten thank you notes and probably could have read your links to writing good notes before I sent them off. I sent one to my boyfriend’s grandparents thanking them for the birthday gift they sent to me and it was definitely the appropriate way to send one. They don’t own a computer or have an email account so it was pretty much my only option. I also think that a handwritten note is more personable and thoughtful than just an email sent. It takes time to sit down and write a note and send it off compared to sitting down at your computer and sending an email off in 5 minutes or less. I like to read your blog posts as they are full of useful information that I can use in my everyday life. I did not know that sending a thank you note to a potential future employee was acceptable. Thanking them for the interview by sending a personable note is a great way to maybe get their attention over the other applicants.
ReplyDeleteI think handwritten notes are just more personal and better for a business situation. Many interviewees may send off a quick email or a give the interviewer a phone call. To make you stand out a handwritten note would be a good idea. If I were sending a thank you for a gift or to somebody helping me move, I would probably just use email or a phone call or a "thanks" and a handshake on their way out the door.
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