How to Screw Up a Thank-You Letter

Receiving a Thank You Note is Rare!

I agree with Alison...people just don't think to send thank you notes anymore for any occasion! It is definitley a lost art...saying thank you goes a long way.

Tiffany McCormick of GA @ Oct 30, 2008 10:36:49 AM

Type written, definitely

Another nice thing about a type-written on is that, really, it CAN be a form letter, saved on the computer. Plus it can be set up with a nice header. A few tweaks to personalize it, hit print, and done. (Even the nicest hand-written note is no good at all if you never get around to mailing it.)

And since so few folks send thank you letters out any more, what a great way to stand out from the crowd of applicants with hardly any additional effort.

Almostgotit.com of TN @ Jul 18, 2008 20:23:52 PM

Typing still best...

Did you know that in France companies routinely employ handwriting analysis "experts" to evaluate potential employees? They truly believe that handwriting reflects personality.

So there's a case where you absolutely should handwrite your business correspondence. Although to me it seems pretty nerve-wracking, as my penmanship is awful and would surely work against me.

But here in the U.S.A., it's definitely more standard to type business correspondence. Consider that not doing so might make it look as if you aren't familiar with computers, very often a minus.

Possible exceptions? Perhaps when you're applying for a job as a party planner. Or as a personal assistant where part of your duties will involve handling private correspondence.

Working Girl of WA @ Jul 18, 2008 20:21:41 PM

Handwritten vs. Typed Thank You Notes

When I was a recruiter I received a few thank you notes. I am firm believer that, if you have nice handwriting a handwritten thank you note makes a great impression. If your handwriting looks more like a seismograph, however, I agree with Karen that it's best to stick with a typewritten note.

Erika with Qvisory of WA @ Jul 17, 2008 12:11:18 PM

Thank you notes

I'm interviewing candidates for a top management position, and have not received a SINGLE thank you note! (One sent a quick e-mail thank you with his list of references.)

Seriously, SEND A NOTE!

Meg of IL @ Jul 17, 2008 11:51:41 AM

Handwritten Personal Notes v. Business

I can understand that a business thank-you should be typewritten, it's more professional. You don't personally know the interviewer, so it's kind of weird to get a handwritten thank-you for a job interview. I agree with Working Girl, no form thank-you letters, like duh!

Michelle Mills of CA @ Jul 17, 2008 10:13:17 AM

I like handwritten notes

Lindsey, I like handwritten notes too and really appreciate receiving them, for the reason you mentioned. Then again, I'm also fine with receiving one by email. I can't believe how many candidates don't send a thank-you note at all; it's bizarre.

Alison Green of DC @ Jul 16, 2008 19:27:08 PM