Survey Finds Most Job Seekers Are Without Thanks

Despite being a small part of the job search process, a thank-you note can make a significant impression on a hiring manager. The same survey found that 76 percent of executives believed a thank-you note was helpful in their hiring decision.

"When used properly, thank-you notes can help you create a positive impression with employers that more formal correspondence often can't," say Michael Farr and the Editors at JIST, co-authors of the newly released Quick Job Interview Guide.

In addition to following up interviews with a thank-you note, job seekers should use them throughout their job search. Farr suggests sending them before the interview to thank someone for being willing to meet and to confirm the date and time of the interview. He also encourages job seekers to thank those who help them throughout their search, including people who give referrals, provide advice or lend their support.

In Quick Job Interview Guide, Farr offers the following guidelines for writing a short, but effective, thank-you note:

• Decide whether to use e-mail or regular mail. Use e-mail to say "thank you" quickly, but use regular mail if there's no rush.
• Use quality paper and envelopes. A blank card or simple "Thank You" on the front will do.
• Handwritten or computer-printed is acceptable. Job seekers with bad hand-writing should type their thank-you notes. Those with clean, legible handwriting can hand write their letter to give it an extra touch.
• Use a formal salutation. Job seekers who are already on familiar terms with the interviewer may find that using the person's first name is appropriate. Those who are not familiar with their interviewer will want to use more formal language such as, "Dear Ms. Smith."
• Keep the note short and friendly. Remember the note is a thank-you for what someone else did, not a hard-sell for what the job seeker wants. Job seekers should make sure, though, to give a subtle, gentle reminder of their skills and qualifications relevant to the job.
• Sign it. Avoid initials and make the signature legible.
• Send it right away. Job seekers should send the note no later than 24 hours after contact while the details are still fresh in their minds.

Quick Job Interview Guide is available at all major bookstores and from the publisher (www.jist.com or 1.800.648.JIST). For a free media copy or to speak with the authors, contact Natalie Ostrom.

JIST, America's Career Publisher, is a division of EMC/Paradigm Publishing and is the leading publisher of job search, career, occupational information, life skills and character education books, workbooks, assessments, videos and software.