Talking to a few of them, I asked them a question, the answer to which would provide valuable feedback on the worth and value of post-interview thanks you notes. I asked them, "In your honest opinion, what weight and credence does a thank-you letter, from a candidate, carry in influencing hiring decisions?"
- It Makes A Difference But You Won’t Get You Chosen
One of the recruiters said that thank you notes are a nice gesture and he would always recommend that candidates should send one following their interview. However, he felt that the letters, although appreciated, were not very likely to induce the company to extend an offer. The job normally goes to the best candidate who comes out tops, as a comprehensive whole.
- You May Not Get Chosen, But It Takes You To The Top Of The Heap
Another recruiter, who had been in the business for some time, emphatically said that sending a thank you note was an absolute imperative. A thank you note, he said, signifies interest in the company and the job and that post-interview the interest has not waned. It also helps to steal a march over the other candidates. It always stays in the mind, who sent thank-you notes and who didn’t?
- Gives Fresh Chance To State Skills And Competence
Yet another interesting observation was expressed by the third respondent. She said, a thank-you note conveys much more than appreciation and an interest in the job. It is also an opportunity to restate your case and re-emphasize the skills and expertise you will bring to the job. It can help address concerns the interviewer may have expressed during the interview.
- In Case Of A Tie, It Could Tilt Things Your Way
No hiring manager, worth his salt would base his hiring decision solely on the basis of nicely written thank-you note. But it would surely put you in contention. Moreover, in case of a tie, where choosing between you and someone else was difficult, it could tilt the scales in your favor. As only 5 out of 100 candidates are known to send thank you notes, it is certainly recommended and a good way to stand out.
- Could Also Easily Impact Negatively
Expressing a contrary and differing opinion, the recruiter bringing up the rear, warned what a shoddily written, or wrongly worded thank-you note could bring in its wake. Hiring managers are divided over what they think is a good letter and what is a bad one? Whether it should be a handwritten one or a typed one? Whether it should be emailed or sent by regular mail? It is for you to assess and decide which method best fits the culture of the organization.
Be very careful about what you write. A letter full of questions will be viewed as intrusive and meddling. Talking only about how great you are will be seen as being pushy and loud-mouthed, whereas a slipshod letter, untidily scrawled with spelling and grammatical mistakes, will also have the hiring managers, hastily scrawling ‘show exit-door’ on the note.
