The Appropriate Ways To Say “Thanks”

by Brittany Troyer on June 20, 2012

You have learned to use your manners at a young age, because your parents told you so. Well, your parents are right, yet again, as a simple “thank you” can help you land your next job.

Taking the time to say thank you after an interview reinforces your enthusiasm for the open position and provides you with the opportunity to remind the human resources manager why you are the best fit for the position.

A recent survey by Accountemps, a specialized staffing service for temporary accounting, found the importance of sending a thank you as 91 percent of human resources managers said the gesture gives an added boost to the job candidate’s chances of landing the job.

Although the gesture of sending your gratitude is more important than the medium chosen to deliver the message, the survey also revealed the most preferred methods:

The high percentage of recruiters viewing phone call thank you’s as an appropriate way to follow-up is quite surprising. Most career experts recommend a written note to avoid being a nuisance. The choice is yours, but remember these few tips for crafting a professional thank you following an interview:

Be prompt. A good follow-up is one within 24 hours after the interview. A prompt thank you lets the employer know you are still thinking about the position, which is a great indicator of your interest in the company.

Be memorable. Stray away from the generic thank you and mention specific conversation pieces from the interview. Not only does this help your interviewer remember you, but it also shows that you were engaged.

Reiterate your qualifications. A thank you is your final way to convince the interviewer of your worth. Remind them why you are the perfect fit for the position and how you will succeed in your new role.

For a full list of follow-up tips, check out the news release here.

Remember, don’t forget your manners in the job search. Your extra effort could be the deciding factor in moving you further in the recruiting process.

As a recruiter, what does a “thank you” from a candidate mean to you? What are some other effective ways to show your gratitude?

You might also enjoy:

  1. Nobody’s Perfect: 4 Ways To Handle An Interview Mistake
  2. 3 Ways to Ditch the Anxiety & Ace Your Interview
  3. Do You Have Any Questions for Me?
  4. 4 Things to Anticipate During a Second Interview
  5. How to Take Advantage of Informational Interviews

Tagged as: how to land a job, how to send a "thank you" after an interview, what employers prefer in a "thank you" from job candidates

Article by Brittany Troyer

Brittany Troyer graduated from the Pennsylvania State University with a B.A. in public relations and an A.A. in business in May 2012. Prior to joining the team, Brittany has gained experience in communications through multiple internships and freelance experience, both in the area as well as Barcelona, Spain.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_YK7D5F4U7B2NISDP7ZNR4SJJFM yahoo-YK7D5F4U7B2NISDP7ZNR4SJJFM

    I’d like to add that hiring managers look for candidates who aren’t afraid to take reasonable risks.  We recently wrote a piece where we discuss the importance of being memorable http://academy.justjobs.com/make-yourself-memorable/, and how to fascinate as a job seeker. I hope it’s useful. – Erich

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