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Thank You Card Etiquette

‘Tis the season for giving and gratitude! That’s why we’re answering one of the long-standing job search questions about thank you card etiquette: Do I still write a thank you note after an interview?

In the digital age, so many of our interactions occur online. Especially during the interview process, many of your interactions with recruiters and hiring companies may be almost entirely online. Given that personal separation, does it still make sense to always write a handwritten thank you note post-interview?

To be honest: no.

In general, the interview process has become much faster and streamlined for many roles and industries. The turnaround time between your actual interview and receiving feedback can be as short as 1-2 days. If you take the time to write and mail a thank you note, chances are your thank you may not be received before a decision is made. This can be especially true as more employees work from home or have flex schedules. It’s much harder to ensure that your interviewer will even be in-office to receive your note.

So I should never send a thank you note?

False! Thanking your interviewer(s) is of the utmost importance and shows that you appreciate their time and consideration regardless of outcome. Just because the interview process moves faster now, doesn’t mean you can’t take the time to say thank you. But use the tools at your disposal when it comes to finessing your thank you card etiquette.

Most interviewers will offer you their business card in case you have any follow-up questions after your interview. Following your interview, send them an email thanking them for their time and expressing your continued interest in the opportunity. While it’s not as personal as a handwritten thank you, the chances are much higher that your interviewer will receive your feedback more quickly. If your interviewer doesn’t freely offer their business card, provide yours first and request one in exchange.

If you’re worried about getting lost in the inbox, you can also reach out viaLinkedIn. Send a thank you message and connection request to your interviewer. This shows initiative that you went above and beyond to reach out and also shows that you’d like to continue networking long-term.

Thank you card etiquette shows that Handwritten thank you notes still have tremendous impact, but save them for more definitive events like after you’ve been extended an offer or for longer multi-round interviews. Use your best judgment, but don’t be afraid to show your tech savvy by saying thank you digitally.

Burchard & Associates is an executive search firm specialized in accounting and finance recruiting across all business sectors, including manufacturing, retail, wholesale/distribution, healthcare, financial services, and more.

If you’re searching for executive positions in the accounting or finance industries, be sure to check out the latest job postings on our website and LinkedIn!

Burchard & Associates provides a personal approach to accounting and tax recruitment for St. Louis and beyond. We are ready to listen to YOU.

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