January 2006
How to say "Thank you"
By
President of Workforce Associates
and author of
NetWork: Maximizing Your Career Resources on the Internet
Available online and in print from Author House
January 2006
How to say "Thank you"
By
President of Workforce Associates
and author of
NetWork: Maximizing Your Career Resources on the Internet
Available online and in print from Author House
The New Year has begun. You’re inspired to make 2006 the best ever. Here are some positive tips to help you succeed:
It’s the most universal expression in the world – two simple words that convey such a powerful thought. There are thousands of ways to express "Thank you". Here’s a small selection of ones that I’ve personally used in travel around the world:
Wliwni ni, Thawerapsaw, El-hamdullah, Gracias, Merci, Danke schön, Shenorhagal em, Trugarez, Tänan, Gmadlobt, Ang kêun, Mahalo, Go raibh maith agaibh, Arigato gozaimashita, etc. etc.
For more ways to say thank you than you ever imagined: http://www.elite.net/~runner/jennifers/thankyou.htm
What kind of thank-you to send:
There is no substitute for a personal handwritten thank-you that is sent snail mail. Just run to Staples or Office Depot and buy a big supply of business oriented thank you notes. You’ll be glad that you did. Be sure to keep track of the date that you sent your thank-you. This will give you something to talk about in your follow-up phone calls and emails with them. "Did my thank-you reach you? Thanks again for all that you’ve done on my behalf."
The following websites have excellent templates of thank-you’s to send out as well as tons of useful information about conducting a successful job search:
http://jobsearch.about.com/od/thankyouletters/a/samplethankyou_2.htm
http://www.career.vt.edu/JOBSEARC/interview/after.htm
http://susanireland.com/thankyouletters/
http://www.careerjournal.com/jobhunting/interviewing/20000410-marcus.html
What to include in your thank-you:
Since most job candidates send out thank-you's, it’s going to take a bit to stand out among them. Here are some ways to do that:
- Make sure that you personalize your thank-you to that particular situation. It’s amazing how many people send out generic thank-you's that carry no sincerity whatsoever! And be sure to proofread your handwriting and spelling and grammar to ensure that you look as bright as you came across in the interview.
- Paraphrase your strengths in your thank-you. Remind your interviewer about your best qualities, experiences, and connections. This is the last chance for you to impress an interviewer so make the best of it.
- Reinforce how well you listened at the interview. Note something from the interview that you have further researched. This will show that you care about the position you’ve applied for.
- Match the tone of your thank-you with the corporate culture you found on their website and in the interview. If they have a stuffy, formal style, make your language the same way. If they’re more informal and breezy, reflect that in your writing.
Here are several websites to consult about details in writing appropriate and powerful thank-you's:
http://www.careerjournal.com/columnists/qanda/interviewing/20050708-qandainterviewing.html
Whom to send thank-you’s to during the job search process:
- Your references. They are vital in communicating your strengths and prior experience. Keep thanking them by sending them weekly announcements re how your job search is going — regardless of whether you have good or no news to share. And make sure that they are the first folks to be thanked when you get your job. Promise that you’ll help them in their own job searches — and follow through with that promise.
- Your networking contacts. Email them regularly about how you’re following up on the contacts that they’ve recommended. Just like your references, they deserve to be kept in touch with on a regular basis.
- Each person who interviews you. Make sure that you send individual thank-you's to each of the members of the team, from the assessment person to the HR Manager, to the benefits manager, etc. Customize each thank-you because they’ll probably pass it among each other!
- Reference librarians who help you in your research of the company that you’re interviewing with, your research of competitors in the field, your learning about the Bureau of Labor Statistics' brand new statistics about "hot jobs" 2004-2014 and its occupational outlook handbook that has tons of valuable information for everyone in the workforce.
- Your family and friends. Obviously, you don’t have to send them personal thank-you’s but -- make sure that they understand how much you appreciate their generosity and love during the difficult periods that are inevitable during the job search.
Wishing you the very best during 2006. Please keep your questions and comments coming. I greatly enjoy helping each and every one of you.
Jane M. Lommel, Ph.D.
jlommel@WorkforceAssociates.com
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