Thank You Notes are Passé and Other Interviewing Myths

Stumbled across this BNET article about what What Hiring Managers Really Look For. Sure, there are lots of points made in the article I agree with, a few things I could probably argue against, but overall a decent read. The author writes from his personal experience, and I have no doubt this worked for him. What really surprised me was one of the comments about the almighty interview thank you. Yes, this is a direct quote -“A thank you card? Please. Only if you just interviewed with your mother.”

Who knew? I must be an absolute exception to this new rule because I have been told as a candidate my thank you card to my interviewer sealed the deal – more than once. In fact, my current boss actually had hers in hand when she came to the lobby to deliver me to her boss for my 2^nd interview the next day. She wanted to tell me how much she appreciated the personal touch. Maybe I’m just old school but I believe a hand written note, personalized to the interviewer, can make a positive impact. I’m not talking about the “one size fits all thank you for your time” tired old line. If not that, though – what?

Targeted to the audience. Have we not made this clear? Target your cover letter. Target your resume. And for the love of Pete, target your thank you letter! Hopefully you’ve learned a thing or two about your interviewer in the 45 minutes you spent together. Mention it! I once made reference to Scottsdale, AZ after interviewing with someone who visited every year for the Barrett-Jackson auto show. One of my job seekers referenced the new starting pitcher on the favorite baseball team he and the hiring manager shared. Keep it clean, but make it personal. You might even go hog wild and mention a point or two about what in your background makes you a fit for the actual job.

Know your audience. Seems like we’ve covered this, but think about delivery. I like hand written thank you notes. In fact, in 10+ years of recruiting I’ve kept every one I’ve received. Less than 20, I’m sad to say… what I don’t have, though, are the thank you e-mails. Because I don’t care about them. Maybe your interviewer was different. Especially in this age of smart phones, maybe they prefer an e-mail. Once I got really creative and sent a free Hallmark e-card that was sponsored by one of this agency’s best customers (who I would be recruiting for). Hiring manager loved it and told me so. Tweet them if you think that will catch their interest. Just do SOMETHING.

Show your interest. We see this all the time with applications. I’ll call a candidate who actually went through our ATS and 24 hours later they have no idea why I’m calling. But it’s different in an interview! Of course you want the job! Right….? Just looking at my corporate experience filling nearly 30 positions in the last 90 days I can tell you the candidates who followed up - with at least a thank you e-mail - are the ones who were ultimately offered a position.

If nothing else, remember what your Mother taught you. JUST SAY THANK YOU. It’s polite.

Comment by David Palmer on September 21, 2011 at 10:36am: Oh you've formed a view already!
I just don't belong to a world of gushing insincerity that's all. Paul mentions that "even if there's a 5% chance of someone being impressed it's worth it." I think hiring managers know this. If you've made a genuine connection and both parties know it, it's fine but otherwise it's totally fake! Somebody stand up for me!

Comment by Amy Ala Miller on September 21, 2011 at 11:54am: since when is a thank you a form of gushing insincerity????? Nearly every hiring manager I've worked with over the years appreciate a personal thank you... e-mail, card, letter, whatever. I've never heard anyone refer to it as gushing insincerity.

Comment by Tiffany Branch on September 21, 2011 at 11:58am: I agree with you David. If i connect with a candidate AND I think they are the best candidate for the job, a thank you note has no influence over my decision.

Comment by Paul S. Gumbinner on September 21, 2011 at 12:00pm: It is no different than calling someone the day after you have had dinner at their home to thank them. Common decency and manners. No gushing insincerity unless it was a horrible meeting and you write to them to tell them how much you enjoyed it. In terms of Tiffany's comment a thank you note rarely influences a hiring decision, but I have heard stories of equal candidates being debated and the job has gone to the person who sent a note asking for the job. As I say, if only a 5% chance....

Comment by Tiffany Branch on September 21, 2011 at 12:04pm: I don't think anyone is arguing about the "etiquette" of the "thank you note." For me, it's about does it really impact your hiring decisions. If I went out on a date, there was no chemistry and the guy called to thank me for the date the next day, it still won't make me go out with him again.

Common courtesy I'm all for it, BUT it does not impact my decision about a candidate.

Comment by David Palmer on September 21, 2011 at 12:24pm: ah come on we're talking about a TYs made in an attempt to improve your chances of getting a job (professional) not after dinner (personal)! Amy you have an unerring habit of take my comments out of context-nightmare! Maybe it's a UK/US thing.

Comment by Amy Ala Miller on September 21, 2011 at 12:38pm: @David I'm not sure what there is to misunderstand about your statement comparing TYs to gushing insincerity.

Getting a job IS personal. People get hired, not resumes.

Comment by Jacob S. Madsen on September 21, 2011 at 12:40pm: Interesting comments. Perhaps the distinction in all this is when a candidate is supposed to do this. My advice and comments to candidates and jpb seekers on this is to sent thank you notes if you have been through 3rd and final round and then been rejected. The reason is obviously that by then you have been deemed a cultural fit and very close match, but perhaps been rejected (as is often the case) on the basis of marginal differences. So from my side, candidates should do this if they have been in a longer and deeper involvement not any earlier than that.

Comment by David Palmer on September 21, 2011 at 12:52pm: @Amy: Qoute: I just don't belong to a world of gushing insincerity that's all. Paul mentions that "even if there's a 5% chance of someone being impressed it's worth it." I don't know how better to describe "insincerity"

I suppose meeting for a drink tomorrow is out of the question?

Comment by Amy Ala Miller on September 21, 2011 at 1:08pm: @David if you ever find yourself in Seattle I'll by you a beer. And I SINCERELY mean that. :)

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