Grandma’s expectations are still relevant in 2012: The Art of a Thank You Note

Recently, a young college graduate showed up in my office with a lot of questions about her resume and impending job search. She was prepared and professional with a good since of her career goals and how she was getting there. Her final question for me was about thank you notes in the job search process. She asked; “Do you REALLY have to write a thank you note? It seems so old fashioned. I mean, isn’t that what GRANDMAS do???”.

I sat there for a moment trying to decide how I was going to respond. My first reaction was to explain that thank you notes are not old fashioned but rather are a sign of proper etiquette and gesture of appreciation for someone’s time, blah blah blah…. and then it hit me that thank you notes ARE old fashioned and thank you notes ARE something that Grandmas do and for those very reasons we should all still be writing thank you notes. Good manners and advice from Grandma NEVER go out of style!

I was raised by a mother who spent her childhood in Mississippi, the only daughter to her mother who was born in Arkansas and a father who hailed from Georgia; her southern roots run deep. Southern ladies are known for their impeccable manners. My southern mom taught me many valuable life lessons, but here are 5 that stand out to me:

1. Never leave the house without putting on lipstick, consider it the icing on the cake. (Okay, I don’t wear lipstick but I think lip gloss counts)

2. Take the time to set a nice table for holidays, guests and special occasions. Use the china, crystal, and cloth napkins and don’t forget a beautiful centerpiece. It shows true southern hospitality and makes people feel special.

3. Always dress up for church, weddings, funerals and job interviews. It is respectful, classy and a sign of how you were raised.

4. Don’t drink beer out of a can, it isn’t lady like. (I have failed MISERBLY at this one, sorry Mom!)

And finally….

5. ALWAYS send a hand-written thank you note. There is nothing more personal than a note that you have taken the time and effort to write, in your own hand-writing, to express your appreciation and gratitude.

Sending a hand-written “anything” is a lost art these days. It is thoughtful, special, and an indication of good manners and etiquette. The receipt of a hand-written thank you note by an employer could (and most certainly has) impacted job offers. I know of situations where students were not offered positions because they forgot to close the deal with a thank you note. Likewise, I know of instances where receiving the thank you note was the edge that put a particular candidate above the others and an offer was extended based on the thank you note. Take a minute to think about the benefits of writing a thank you note:

· If you send a note of appreciation to an interviewer, one could assume that you will show the same good judgment and consideration with your customers and clients.

· Sending a thank you note shows, not only good manners, but professionalism. Your future employer will view you as mature, professional and a cut above the rest.

· It lets your future employer know you understand the importance of developing professional relationships and that you value other people’s time and effort.

· A well written thank you note can seal the deal for a job offer and provides you with an opportunity to overcome any objections and restate your enthusiasm for the position.

So, to answer her question: Yes, thank you notes are still an important part of the job search process and your professional development. I hope my children will always heed their "Mimi's" good advice and even better taste by perfecting the art of writing thoughtful thank you notes. They might be ‘’old fashioned” but that is because they are tried and true. Most of the best things in life are!

Check out these classic and fun "thank you" cards:
From Crane & Co

The Classic Thank You