There’s a lot of etiquette involved with the job search process – and candidates always want to follow best practices. One area where there are often questions is a thank-you note, including when it should be sent, to whom it should be sent to and whether it’s best to send an email or a card in the mail. Let’s take a closer look at this topic and clarify how to follow the correct process.
The Proper Timeline
According to experts, the ideal time to send a thank-you note is anywhere between five and 48 hours after an interview. This shows that you’ve taken the time to reflect on the interview and what transpired will still be fresh in the mind of your interviewer. However, waiting any longer than 48 hours can reduce your chances of getting hired. You don’t want the thank-you note to feel pre-written by sending it just after the interview, but you have to balance that with waiting too long and making the impression that the job doesn’t hold a priority.
Sending it to the Right Person
In terms of who to send it to, this should include everyone who was involved with the interview process. If it was just one person, this will be simple and shouldn’t take much time. However, if there were multiple people involved, you’ll want to send individual thank-you notes to each person. Never send one message to multiple people because this can come across as lacking sincerity and may rub a potential employer the wrong way.
Email or Card?
By all accounts, it’s usually acceptable to send an email – and 89 percent of employers said “it’s okay to send a thank-you note in the form of an email.” This definitely makes sense when you consider the time-sensitive nature of a thank-you note because it’s likely to take several days for an employer to receive traditional “snail mail.”
However, a written card is also fine and often adds a personal touch. If you do decide to go this route, just make sure that the intended recipient gets it within 48 hours at the latest. Also, be sure to sign it.
Creating a thank-you note is a simple but effective way to make you stand out as a job candidate and can make a positive impression on a potential employer. By following proper etiquette, you can get the most out of your thank-you note and increase your odds of landing the job.
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