Tag Archives: thank you

The critical email most job seekers fail to send

Posted on September 2, 2015 | Leave a comment

A successful email

A very short email was sent out by a candidate after a brief phone screening for a top level job.  I got a copy.  It helped set that candidate apart from all the others in a quiet way.  The next day that email was replied to with an invitation for an in-person interview.   That’s a successful email.  That email said, “Thank you for the chance to talk with you about your company and that opening.”

I admit it.  The email did NOT get him the interview.  His phone presence, background, cheerfulness and “can do” attitude got him the reply.  Still, the “thank you” email helped.

100 applicants for a job is not unusual.  Phone interviews with 10 solid candidates is common.  Often the choice between the top 3 candidates is only based on chemistry, the feelings of the moment.  So what can you do?

  1. Send a thank you by email after every interview.
  2. Also send a paper thank you.
  3. Dwell on the positive.
  4. Never complain about a previous job, boss or coworker.
  5. Tell interviewers what you like about the job.
  6. Ask for the next interview or for the job.

In the interview be the type of person you most like working with.  After the interview, be thankful.  That’s an unbeatable combination.

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There’s no secret about success.  Did you ever know a successful man who didn’t tell you about it? (Hubbard)

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Later:                          The guy who invented running died

I make the milk every morning

Propagating blueberries guerilla style

Great ideas are a dime a dozen

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Posted in Attitude, Interviews

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The 100% easiest network

Posted on July 23, 2014 | Leave a comment

The absolute easiest job search networking tool is one of the least used.

To network, you have to communicate.  To communicate comfortably you have to have a reason.  The most overlooked reason is to say, “Thank you.”

Do you think this is too easy?  Do too many people do it?  When was the last time you received a thank you note?  When was the last time you sent a thank you note?

The hardest part at first is noticing things you can be thankful for.  Did someone help you directly?  Indirectly?  Did you get an answer you needed?  Is there a leader who has shaped your industry?  Did someone give your friend some help?  Did someone just talk to you on the phone?

Long, flowery notes are NOT necessary, and actually less helpful. Some people take a long “thank you” as shameless self promotion.  A one line thank you by email or on paper is all that is necessary.  So few people send a thank you note, that you will stand out no matter how short the message.

Keep track of everyone you send a thank you to.  Write it in the networking section of your job journal.

All men are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality. (King)

Now is the time to build your network.  The receptionist at any company will give you either a mailing address or an email address.  You know how to write.  Write one thank you note every day.  Start now.

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Something To Do Today

Send a thank you note on paper or through email.  See if you can send 5.

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Tomorrow:     Scissors for jobs

Later:              100% exposed job networking

Double your chances after an interview

Linked in

The international manager roundtable method of getting a job.

How to close an interview

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3 ways to do a thank you horribly wrong

Posted on November 22, 2010 | Leave a comment

HR said, “We are still going to bring George in, but his Thank You note wasn’t professional at all.”

I cringed as she told me the problem.  Then I decided to do a survey of managers, directors, and HR folks to see how a Thank You can be done wrong.

The 3 biggest mistakes:

  1. A text message thank you
  2. A sloppy ugly note
  3. Spelling and grammar errors

A text message thank you

Nothing says I didn’t really want to send this message as much as a text message.  The short, compressed, choppy text message can only give a bad impression. An email is the most common thank you note.  Email is fine but text messages reek of insincerity to many hiring managers.

A sloppy ugly note

A clean typewriter paper page with a short handwritten note is great.  A card from the store with nothing inside but your neatly written thanks is wonderful.  Typed is okay if your handwriting is bad.  Short is best.

Paper ripped from a spiral notebook is horrible.  A napkin with a note — please, don’t even consider it.  A pen that skips and was restarted on the page, don’t send it! A card printed from your PC – don’t!  They just don’t look professional.  We are going for professional here.

Spelling and grammar errors

If you have any doubts, don’t send it.  Hand it to someone who is good at spotting bad grammar and spelling.

In a nutshell

You will be judged by what you send.  If it looks professional, heartfelt, and personal, you will be judged well.  If it looks unprofessional, so will you.

It is best to send a nice professional looking note.  If you can’t, sending nothing is better than broadcasting your incompetence.

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Posted in Interviews

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a successful email

Posted on November 19, 2010 | Leave a comment

There’s no secret about success.  Did you ever know a successful man who didn’t tell you about it? (Hubbard)

A simple thank you email was sent out by a candidate for a top level job.  I got a copy.  It helped set that candidate apart from all the others in a quiet way.  The next day that email was replied to with an invitation for an in-person interview.   That’s a successful email.

I admit it.  The email did NOT get him the interview.  His phone presence, background, cheerfulness and “can do attitude got him the reply.  Still, the email helped.

100 applicants for a job is not unusual.  Phone interviews with 10 solid candidates is common.  Often the choice between the top 3 candidates is only based on chemistry, the feelings of the moment.  So what can you do?

  1. Send a thank you by email after every interview.
  2. Also send a paper thank you.
  3. Dwell on the positive.
  4. Never complain about a previous job, boss or coworker.
  5. Tell interviewers what you like about the job.
  6. Ask for the next interview or for the job.

In the interview be the type of person you most like working with.  After the interview, be thankful.  That=s an unbeatable combination.

Something To Do Today

Who are the two successful people you most like working with?  Make a list of the reasons why you like working with them.  What can you change about yourself to add their one or two best traits to your own?

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Posted in Attitude, Interviews

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