APU Careers Careers & Learning

Stand Out with a Thank You Note

By Jill Kurtz
Online Career Tips Contributor

The traditional thank you note still has a role in these days of electronic communication. Taking the time to hand-write some words of appreciation just might be your best way to make a good impression on someone that you want to influence.

For evidence of the continued value of thank yous, you need only do a Google search. You’ll find recent articles about the importance of such notes as well as links to sites like Thank You Note Samples and ThankYouNotes.com that offer templates and wording for both business and personal needs. Jimmy Fallon has made writing thank yous a standard segment on “The Tonight Show.”

Occasions for Thanks

A note of appreciation is still a great way to follow up to a job interview. Take a cue from the interview format to determine the best way to deliver your note. A phone or online interview usually can be followed with a note sent by email, while a written note is the best response to an in-person meeting. If you are concerned about the time lag that may be caused by the mailing process, consider using both methods – a quick email followed by a written message.

Don’t forget this courtesy on the job. A thank you can be a great way to acknowledge the support of a coworker or let a supervisor know you appreciated a particular opportunity. In a time of overstuffed email inboxes, your written note can really help your message to stand out.

In your personal life, it is a wonderful gesture to acknowledge any gift with a thank you. When deciding on the format, consider the recipient’s preferences. An older relative will likely enjoy a note that arrives in her mailbox, while someone younger might be most pleased by an acknowledgement sent via Facebook or Twitter.

A friend of mine recently received a handmade gift from her fiancé’s grandmother who is a native of Romania. She took the time to have her words of thanks translated into Romanian. When she learned that cursive writing is the cultural norm there, she brushed up on her handwriting. The result is an unmistakable gesture of gratitude.

Never Out of Style

I’ve never known a thank you to be poorly received. Even if your delivery channel does not meet the recipient’s expectations, your note is sure to be positively received. Even my cranky dad who thinks all correspondence should come via US Mail has to admit that it makes him happy to get thank you emails from his grandkids.

Taking the time to compose some words of thanks is not an outdated notion. Adopt this as a best practice to help you stand out positively with the people you are connected with professionally and personally.

 

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