Many people don’t send a thank you note after a job interview. Unfortunately, you’ve missed an important opportunity to seal the deal. Many employers appreciate handwritten thank you notes instead of a thank you email. A handwritten thank you says that you took time out of your day to say how much you enjoyed the interview and how much you would like to work for the company. Whether or not you get the job can be determined by a sincere or insincere thank you note.
Write and send heartfelt thank you notes if you receive gifts for your wedding, bridal shower, baby shower, baptism, high school or college graduation, confirmation, Bar or Bat Mitzvah, or any gift you receive. Send thank you notes to people who helped you in a difficult situation. When people take the time to send you gifts or use their time to help you, the least you can do is say ‘thank you’ and let them know you appreciate their kindness.
Tips for Writing a Heartfelt Thank You Note
Be honest. Say what you want and say it. Don’t write a thank you note that you think someone would like to receive. That is our sincerity. Allow the words to come from your heart. If you’re sending a thank you note to a hiring manager or recruiter, apply for the job. If you really want to work for the company, say so in your thank you note. What do you have to lose?
Use the person’s name. Address a thank you note to the recipient. This is why it is imperative to ask for a business card when interviewing for a job because you may forget the person’s name. Personalizing a thank you note makes it more sincere.
Don’t use 50 cent or $1 dollar words. Don’t try to impress people with your extensive vocabulary because it can backfire on you. Using fancy words can go over a person’s head and could make them feel inferior. While this may be their problem, say what you want to say in everyday words. Using 50 cent and $1 dollar words in your thank you note is not sincere.
Use cursive writing. If you haven’t used cursive or your handwriting is unreadable, you can practice a few times before writing a thank you note. The handwriting is fine, but nothing is more sincere than cursive writing. It really is a lost art form.
When writing a thank you note, let the words flow from your heart, not your head. Don’t write a note with words you think the recipient wants to hear; this is not sincere. Say what you want to say and say it. Write your thank you note and let it sit for a while. Go back to it and read it again. Have someone read the note and check for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. This may seem a bit extreme, but if you’re sending a thank you to a publisher or editor, they’ll appreciate the extra effort. Also, ask the person how he made her feel. Did they find that he was sincere? Yeah? No? Remember, writing a thank you note is better than sending it via email. However, some people prefer email. Use your judgement. Whatever you do, be sincere and your thank you note will be well received.
