You really should send that thank-you note, and other tips for job seekers

Hello, job seekers! Welcome to my newsletter focused on helping you land your next job. Whether your background is in the culinary arts or transportation, there are tips and insights that can make every job search more successful. Be sure to join the conversation with the hashtag #GetHired.

The art of the thank-you note

Thank-you notes are important — and sometimes make-or-break — tools during a job search. Technology has changed a lot since my high school business teacher taught me about post-interview thank-you notes. Would an email suffice? How about a DM? I reached out to a career and business strategist to find out the best thank-you note strategy to help you land a job.

Should you even bother to send a note?

“If a thank-you note is authentic and even interesting, it can be an X factor,” said Jenny Blake, author of Pivot: The Only Move That Matters Is Your Next One.

“Even if the note is coming late — even after the opportunity has come and gone,” she told me. “You never know … This is one of those intangible metrics. This is one of those low-risk, high-reward situations.”

Is a paper or digital note best?

“Nothing replaces a handwritten note,” Blake said. “A person’s spirit shines through when you see their handwriting.” 

Even better? Make the note unique, she told me. A job seeker could send a copy of a book he or she mentioned during their interview with a note written on the first page, for example.

What’s the recipe for a good thank-you note?

“I would encourage people to think back to thank-you notes they’ve received and which ones were the most memorable and why,” Blake said. 

If she had to boil it down, Blake told me a thank-you note should get to the point, come from the heart and tell the recipient what the sender is going to do based on their conversation. For example, a job seeker could write that they’re going to watch a speech the interviewer mentioned.

“If you’re not qualified or they have a better candidate, a thank-you note won’t beat that equation,” she said. “But they’ll at least remember you.”

Want more insights into writing thank-you notes? Weng Cheong offers some expert tips in her article. 

What’s your thank-you note strategy? Join the conversation.

#GetHired in motion:

We’ve talked about looking for jobs in new industries, but that often means applying to companies without connections or having a related degree. Isabelle Roughol recently sat down with advertising giant WPP’s Karen Blackett to discuss the best way to approach that situation. Her suggestions? Do your research, stand out and apply. How would you handle a job application for a company outside your area of expertise? Join the conversation.

The follow-up:

We talked about overcoming questions of age in the last edition of Get Hired. Thousands of you shared your stories and strategies about getting around concerns that you’re “too old” or “too young” for a job. Here’s what people had to say.

Other news to help you #GetHired:

Looking for a new job that pays more? Try relocating. The latest HSBC Expat report shows that people 18 to 34 years old saw their income jump by an average of 35% after moving overseas. People 35 to 55 years old also saw an average increase of 24% after an international move. Here’s what people are saying about the new report.

Why do you want this job? Career experts and recruiters repeatedly tell me that job seekers often fail to sufficiently explain why they want a particular job. WorkItDaily CEO J.T. O’Donnell explained how to answer this question in her newsletter. The best response doesn’t focus on the salary or benefits, she says. Instead, employers want to hear that you find meaning in the work that will make you stick around and be dependable. Here’s what people are saying about the advice.

U.S. employers are still in need of workers. While many people were enjoying the holiday, the U.S. government revealed that hiring in the country bounced back from May with the addition of 224,000 jobs. Despite the better-than-expected numbers, the country’s unemployment rate inched up to 3.7% — from 3.6% in April and May. Here’s what people are saying about the latest data. 

Up next:

Not familiar with the latest technology? Don’t meet all the job requirements? Live a long commute from the office? In the next issue of Get Hired, we’ll discuss the best ways to explain your weaknesses during a job search. Have you ever stumbled over a question about one of your shortcomings? Tell us in the comments below.

Thanks for reading! Don’t forget to add your own thoughts, tips, ideas and questions in the comments below. Also, be sure to keep the conversation going on LinkedIn with the hashtag #GetHired!