In my forthcoming book, A Word and a $hake, Interview Storytelling Skills for GenText®, I write that emailing post-interview thank you notes is non-negotiable.
While I profess that the professional world leans transactional versus emotional, I wholeheartedly believe that thank you notes are an opportunity to seal the deal in the hearts and minds of decision makers. This gives added meaning to the saying, “I feel you.” Thank you notes are, in fact, a matter of feelings.
I was delighted to learn that there is science behind my “hunch of heart” proving that people like receiving these written deal closers and recipients do read them. Heather Murphy’s July 20 New York Times article, You Should Actually Send that Thank You Note You’ve Been Meaning to Write, cites the work of a University of Texas at Austin psychologist who found proof that the recipient likes receiving your emails of appreciation.
I interview frequently and read every thank you note received. I’m looking for heart and hunger (for the job opportunity) behind the communication. Heart and hunger drive people and help them collaborate. Communicative collaborators empathize and innovate–the knowledge economy holy grail!
When I do not receive thank you notes in a timely manner (24 hours or less), I notice and if I receive none, it sends their candidacy over to the “no offer” column, no matter how good the interview or candidate. And, thank you notes that say something thoughtful about the interview discussion shine a big bright light on the “yes, hire this person” column.
Even with advances in artificial intelligence, I’m unsure whether interviewing will ever be relegated completely to computers. For the foreseeable future, the human feeling element, at some level, is alive and remains employed.
So craft and send thank you notes that reflect thoughtfully, because the act, sentiment and feelings conveyed matter and can be the difference between “I feel you” or “I feel you not.”