Workplace Challenges
Thanks, but no thanksYour mother told you to do it, and now a new survey shows she was right: Sending a thank-you note not only displays impeccable manners, but also may give job hopefuls an edge over other applicants. |
|
 [ 2007-10-17 ] |
(Comstock)
While more than three-quarters of executives polled (76%) said sending a thank-you note following an interview can boost a job seeker's chances, they also estimate that four out of five applicants (80%) fail to do so. On average, compared to five years ago, candidates are following up slightly less post-interview.
The poll included responses from 100 senior Canadian executives, and was conducted by an independent research firm and was developed by Accountemps, a large specialized staffing service for temporary accounting, finance and bookkeeping professionals.
INFLUENTIAL
Seventy-six per cent of executives said they consider a post-interview thank-you note influential when evaluating candidates. The results are similar to the response from executives asked this same question in 2002 (79%).
Executives polled said one out of five (20%) of the candidates they interview send thank-you notes afterward, compared with 23% five years ago.
Sixty-two per cent of executives preferred to receive the thank-you notes by e-mail, 22% preferred handwritten notes.
Regardless of how someone believes he or she performed during the interview, sending a short thank-you note afterward demonstrates initiative and courtesy," said Max Messmer, chairman of Accountemps and author of Managing Your Career For Dummies (John Wiley & Sons, Inc.). "Conveying appreciation in a well-written message is not only polite, it also can distinguish a job applicant from others vying for the same position."
Messmer said the best strategy is often to send an e-mail shortly after the interview, followed by more formal correspondence. "E-mail ensures immediacy, but hiring managers also favour the personal touch of a handwritten note," he said.
According to Accountemps, thank-you notes should be just a few paragraphs in length and accomplish three objectives: Express your appreciation for the opportunity; reinforce your interest in the job; and restate the value you can bring to the organization.
Do you have you a bad boss?