Thanks!
You hear it every day. You heard it from that older gentleman, from the barista as you waited in line at the coffee shop, and even in the mail from stragglers for holiday gifts.
“Thanks” is one of the most popular words in our vocabulary and it is (and should be) a kneejerk response for most of us. When we constantly show and accept gratitude, it’s sometimes hard to take a step back and really think about who we need to thank.
As a job seeker, giving thanks is much more than being polite. With so many people in our lives going that extra mile to help us in our unemployment, it can be easy to let someone fall between the cracks.
In recognition of January, the “Thank You” month, check out four people every job seeker should thank (and how to do it the right way!):
The Interviewer
Put yourself in an interviewer’s shoes. You’ve filtered, read, and reviewed dozens (if not hundreds) of applications, scheduled several interviews, and endured meeting many nervous, chatty job seekers who all kind of blur together in the end.
You’re exhausted and going through your notes, who are you going to choose? You got a couple of follow-ups from some of the candidates, but, what’s that in the mail? It’s a hand-written thank you note from your eleven o’clock interview the other day.
As a job seeker, make thanking those who might hire you your topmost priority. Writing a “thank you” email along with a handwritten note will not only give them that extra boost of validation in their efforts, but will also keep you in mind when making that final decision.
Check out: What’s Next? Part 2: 3 Steps to Take After an Interview
The Reference
Whether it’s a letter of recommendation, a write-up on Cachinko, or an application reference, this takes time and effort that should be appreciated.
The ideal way to thank this person is to write a hand-written thank you note as well as an update on the impending job. Your referee is interested enough to vouch for you, so remember to keep them briefed on how their efforts have helped you in your search.
Check out: Thanks A Lot! Anatomy of a Perfect Professional Thank You Note
The Connection
This one might not come to you as easily as the first two. Your connections are the colleagues, classmates, and friends in your professional network. As more and more jobs are landed through social networking, you really need to thank the folks that help you.
Whether it’s a job lead or something else, take the time to thank your connection by offering to help them wherever needed. Especially if your connection is also unemployed, the best way to show gratitude is to share a tip or lead occasionally.
Check out: Reach Out to Someone New: 5 Steps to Build your Network
The Advisor
This person could be an old coach, professor, or supervisor. Whoever it is, this person has mentored you in your job search. There isn’t really anything you can do for them in return, so you should appreciate their efforts even more. Just like your reference, thank the advisor by keeping them briefed with your job search story.
Check out: Beware of Unsolicited Job Advice: 3 Things to Remember
What do you think? What other folks should job seekers make a point to thank? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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