Thank You Notes: A Thing of the Past?

When I was growing up my parents didn’t let me play with my toys from Christmas or my birthday until I wrote thank you cards to everyone who had given me a gift. I remember eagerly grabbing my thank you cards from my room and vigorously writing a card to each person so I could play with my presents. In summer camp at Interlochen Arts Camp (where I spent 6 summers) I received a couple scholarships and again, the recipients all gathered together to write thank you cards to each person that donated the scholarships.

When I graduated college my dad reminded me that after every single interview I had to write a thank you card. Not an email. He stressed the importance of writing a thank you card and taking the time. “Even if the interview was terrible, they’ll remember that you took the time to write a thank you card,” he said.

And he was right.

Having interviewed dozens of people in my day, I remember the ones that wrote thank you cards much better than the ones who didn’t. Was it the deciding factor in the end? Probably not, but it certainly helped. In sales we’re always taught that in an interview process the follow-up is sometimes the most important part of the interview process. I’ve hired some people based on their follow-up because I wanted to see how persistent they were with prospecting. How do they handle rejection? How badly do they want it? A thank you note is a cherry on top for the interview process and one that is often overlooked.

If I had to guess, a mere 10% of people I’ve interviewed in my career have sent a thank you note, and I remember them far more than the others who didn't.

In this digital age we live in, there’s something wonderful about receiving a handwritten note. It’s a stark contrast to the constant flood of digital media we receive and surround ourselves with on a daily basis.

I found myself writing several thank you notes last week; not from interviewing, but for people taking the time to connect with me in person or for specific introductions that will make a lasting impact on my business. I truly believe that they will remember my thank you card.

So, is there a place for thank you emails? Absolutely, but I recommend writing a thank you note as well. I like emails because its immediate, but following up with a handwritten note, I believe, is a lasting impression.

The last thank you card I’ve received was in February from a woman I’m mentoring. I didn’t expect it at all, and it meant so much to me that it’s on my desk where I see it every day. It makes me feel appreciated.

So, when is the last time you wrote a thank you note? Are they a thing of the past?

There’s one thing I learned from writing multiple thank you cards last week: I need to work on my handwriting :-)