Recruiter Roundtable Discusses Thank-You Notes
The Recruiter Roundtable is a monthly feature that collects career and job-seeking advice from a group
of recruiting experts throughout the US. The question we put before our panel this month is:
"How much do Thank you letter from candidates influence your hiring decisions?"
Market Yourself Well
Thank-you notes are a nice gesture, and I would always encourage
candidates to follow up with one after an interview. However, as far as
influencing a hiring decision, I have yet to see someone being extended an offer because of it. The
strongest candidate will get the offer. Every little bit helps in
marketing yourself as the best
and most enthusiastic person for the role. If you do send a thank-you
note, always check for spelling and grammar.
No Question About It
No Question About It
Sending a thank-you note is a must. When a job candidate sends
me a thank-you note, it shows me the person is truly interested in the
opportunity. This simple gesture can distinguish one applicant over another. In
fact, when considering multiple people for an open position, I typically recall
who has and hasn't sent a thank-you note.
The thank-you note is valuable for job seekers beyond demonstrating their interest in a position. This also is an opportunity to re-emphasize the skills and expertise they would bring to the role and address any outstanding concerns they may have from the interview.The best strategy is to send a quick e-mail shortly after the interview followed by a handwritten note. Whether you choose to send a thank-you via e-mail or in writing, the key is to send one.
The thank-you note is valuable for job seekers beyond demonstrating their interest in a position. This also is an opportunity to re-emphasize the skills and expertise they would bring to the role and address any outstanding concerns they may have from the interview.The best strategy is to send a quick e-mail shortly after the interview followed by a handwritten note. Whether you choose to send a thank-you via e-mail or in writing, the key is to send one.
A Good Way to Stand Out
While my hiring managers or I would not make a hiring decision
based solely on a thank-you note, a short and well-written
note from a candidate following an interview will certainly not hurt their chances.
As most candidates don't follow
up this way, you will automatically stand out if you do, and this can set you
apart from the crowd in a positive way.For example, a tasteful handwritten card
sent to your interviewer is thoughtful, and will probably end up on their desk
or bulletin board for a while, further reminding them of you when they see it. An
alternative is to send an email note, which may appear more professional, will
arrive more quickly and has the advantage of being able to be forwarded on to
other interested parties within
the company.
Boost Your Impact Easily
According to surveys, about 85 percent of executives say that a
post-interview thank-you note has some influence on the hiring decision. While
only half of candidates send thank-you notes, it seems to be an easy gesture
everyone should use to greatly impact the hiring process. Surveys also suggest that
hiring managers are divided in terms of preference for receiving thank-you notes
by email or letter.
It is therefore up to you to decide which method best fits the culture of the organization.
It is therefore up to you to decide which method best fits the culture of the organization.
