Thank You Cards - The Lost Art Form

I love, love, love, facebook. I am an email junkie. I buy music on iTunes. I write a blog (Duh!?) and am currently developing a new website. I fully embrace technology and all the benefits that come with it.

Ironically, however, with all of the technological tools we have available it's still surprisingly easy to lose touch. Our facebook friends have replaced actual ones and email is the normal mode of correspondence between personal friends and professional colleagues alike. Today's cut-and-paste world had led to an oddly impersonal world of either small and scattered bits and pieces of the real story, or TMI. (Too Much Information?!)

It's kinda' sad.

So, how long has it been since you sat down and wrote a letter to someone you deeply care about, put it in an envelope, and mailed it to them?

Setting aside my romantic thoughts for a moment, let me ask you; After your last job interview, did you send a Thank You Card?

Tip of the Day

An email does not replace the personal touch of a handwritten Thank You card.

Go to Staples, or Office Depot, or your nearest paper supply store and spend $2.99 on a pack of eight (8) Thank You cards. Go to the post office. Buy a book of stamps. (Stamps, however, come in sheets of 10. Does the “hot dog vs. bun makers” argument ring a bell here!?)  Now set them both someplace where they are easy to find.

It's simple and easy to make a good SECOND impression via a handwritten note to everyone you interview with. Even if they call you, or email you, to tell you that they have decided to go with another candidate...send a Thank You card. You never know. The candidate they chose might not work out. They might have another position become available that you would be qualified for. They are far, far more likely to remember you if they have opened a personal handwritten note from you and, besides, it gives you an opportunity to give them another one of your personal business cards!

Thank you cards, however, are not just for people that you have interviewed with. Last week I sat down for over 2 hours and wrote notes to everyone who has met with me over coffee, offered me thoughtful advice, and encouraged me lately. I am thankful to say, the list was long. In the last few days I have received numerous emails (yeah, ironic) thanking me for the “kind thoughts”.

I am a writer, however, so writing comes easy to me. My advice to you is not to worry about the content too much. Just a couple of sentences will do. Here are a few examples that you can use:

“Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to interview me for the ….. position.

I appreciate your consideration and the opportunity to meet you.

I am sure I would be a great fit for your organization

and look forward to hearing from you again soon.

Sincerely, ….”

“Thank you for the interview.

I appreciate the opportunity to learn more about your company.

While I understand that you have decided to move forward with another candidate I am writing to thank you for your consideration and kindly ask that you keep me in mind for future opportunities.

Sincerely.....”

"Thank you for taking time to meet with me over coffee last week.

I really appreciate your kind advice, ongoing support, and thoughtful encouragement.

You are a good friend and a valued colleague.

Sincerely......"

In conclusion, I have to warn you.  If you have not written with a pen for long periods of time, in a while, be prepared for painful finger cramps. 

How embarrassing!