All It Takes is a "Thank You"

Sometimes the difference between landing a job and not, are two words: "thank you."

I wrote about this topic in a post about how to reach out to a stranger on LinkedIn. The subject deserves a detailed examination. I've seen an evolution of a lack of gratitude in the workplace. This comes from coworkers, your supervisor, and applicants looking to find a job.

In graduate school, I used the time to figure out what I wanted out of my next career. I experimented with re-entering the public and private sector. I interviewed with the federal government, consulting firms, and start-ups. The summer between terms, I was in the running for a competitive fellowship in the Pentagon. The position was unique and would afford me a glimpse into National Security policy. There are few opportunities to serve your country at the highest levels. When they reached out, I jumped at the prospect.

There were several phone and face-to-face interviews. I was competing with students at top tier institutions like Georgetown, Harvard, Tufts, and Yale. I didn't stand a chance against these other applicants. Their grades were better and so were their programs. I did notice a lack of social skills with many of the applicants and considered this my advantage. Book smarts is one thing but streets smarts and social skills are another.

The face-to-face interview was intense. I drew from past experiences and told a story while keeping my cool under pressure. When the interview was over I stood up and thanked her. She was a policymaker who had spent the last decade formulating Middle East policy. When I returned to school a day later, I wrote an email thanking her again. I told her that I enjoyed the opportunity and hoped to hear back from the office. The email was short and sweet. The Pentagon doesn't have to give internships. There are plenty of people they can choose from internally to fill billets. Acknowledging her time with me was important.

A week later I received a phone call indicating that I had landed the gig for the summer. A paid and coveted fellowship that would open up doors. During the summer, I worked under the women who had interviewed me. I was her direct report and after several weeks we established a good rapport. She was down to earth and easy to talk too with little to no ego. One day we drove to another office together for an offsite meeting. I asked her why she selected me over candidates from better academic institutions. "Because you were down to earth and were the only one who sent us a thank you note. That went a long way for us, and showed your true colors," she said.

That's all it was. A "thank you" message following an interview combined with social skills. The "thank you" note went a long way. In the eyes of the women I worked with it showed her that I put others before self. In a collaborative environment you need workers to put other's needs before your own.

A "thank you" note will set you apart, here is why:

1. It shows gratitude. Saying "thank you" is a sign of gratitude. It signals to the interviewer and recruiter that you appreciate what others do for you. This could possibly be the single best quality to display on the job. It means you have little ego, are humble, and modest. It also shows that you are coachable and can receive constructive criticism. Since you have an open mind and show gratitude, the organization can mold you into the person they need.
   

2. Stick out from the competition. Taking the time to write a note will take you a notch above the competition. Book smarts will only take you so far in life. You've got to show humility and selflessness when vying for a job. Remember, ego is the enemy. Some of the Harvard students I interviewed with displayed high levels of it. Nothing against them but it was true. If you are lacking in one department (academics), interpersonal skills can improve the odds. The "thank you" note is an easy way to show others that you are appreciative of their time.
   

3. It shows you are not owed anything. At the end of the day you want a job or an internship. You may have little to offer an organization because you lack experience. When you say "thank you" and write a personalized note/email, you signal to the organization that you appreciate their time. It sets the tone that you do not expect anything in return. Just because you got the interview, doesn't mean you've landed the job.

Saying or writing "thank you" is an easy step in the application process. You'd be surprised how little people do it. I guess in our "me, me, me" society, people believe they are deserve something. You are never too good to write a "thank you" note to the one who took time out of their day.

Recruiters and organizations are looking for people who are selfless. Generally, a lot of job seekers look the same on paper. Especially entry level applicants. The soft skills can set you apart. Sometimes all that takes is a simple message showing gratitude and a "thank you."