By Juliah Karimi – Staff Kenya.
Getting a job these days is like sifting through a high stack to find a needle. It is not easy, but simple gestures can command tremendous influence. I remember receiving a thank-you note from a client a day after an interview conducted by Corporate Staffing Services where I work. I subsequently remembered him for future positions, not quite for his performance at the interview but because he had impressed me with his follow-up skills.
A simple thank-you letter after an interview can wield considerable power and influence, and reflect very favorably on your candidacy for the position.
Why? The reasons are several:
1. By sending a thank-you note, you show your interviewer common courtesy and respect: Unfortunately in our busy and often impolite world, we simply don’t acknowledge each other’s time, efforts and commitments. Sometimes even sorry at stepping on someone’s foot takes considerable effort. So in sending a thank-you note after an interview, you tell your interviewer in no certain terms that you appreciate the time he has given you. After all, he had to give up part or all of the day to be with you and expend effort learning more about you and what you have to offer.
2. Very few job applicants send thank-you notes so you stand out when you do so: It is shocking but the majority of job applicants fail to send thank-you notes after interviews. You therefore shine by putting forth the effort to sending a note. Sounds strange, but it is true.
3. A thank-you note gives you the opportunity to reiterate points you made during your interview, or make points you forgot to highlight: Have you ever left an interview wishing you had more strongly emphasized a certain skill or experience the employer seemed to be looking for? A post interview note gives you the chance to do just that. After using the first paragraph of your note to thank your interviewer, you can use a brief second paragraph to clarify responses you feel were shaky.
4. A thank-you note demonstrates your written communication skills: In receiving an reading your thank-you note, your interviewer will see first-hand how you handle yourself on paper. After all, such skills are an everyday requirement at work places so as the interviewer will be reading carefully to see how you come across in that respect.
Writing a thank-you note is not difficult or time consuming. Be sure to follow through preferably the same day after the interview. It can make a much bigger difference than you might think, perhaps even the difference between the job coming or going to someone else.
Juliah Karimi works with Staff-Kenya
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