THNQ - no thank you!

(THNQ, for the unitiated, is the text message abbreviation for "thank you.")

Hopefully by now, most people, regardless of their age, are aware that thank-you notes after an interview are a must.  That being said, an instant thank you, the one sent via text message either online or via cell phone, is considered a big no-no by most hiring managers and recruiters. 

Texting thank yous is not a good idea for many reasons:

• it's too informal for business
• it's abbreviated language and slang doesn't allow you to highlight why you'd be the best person for the job
• it's sent after not much thought has been put into what is being said.  After all, it's being sent practically the instant someone leaves the interview.

Once again the generation/technology chasm appears.  Those in their 20's and younger grew up with cell phones and instant messaging, these are an integral part of their life.  For these people, they're just using the tools that come naturally to them. 

Think of thank you notes as a way to :

• keep your name in front of the hiring managers
• further explain to them why you want the job
• give more details on why you're the perfect candidate for the job 
• differentiate yourself from the competition.

A well-crafted thank you note takes some thought and reflection upon what  you heard during the interview.  A good way to stand out is to send a hand-written note, on nice stationary.

P.S.  For those wanting to brush up on their text messaging skills, check out Webopedia's Text Messaging Abbreviations.

Nancy Loderick

Comments

[Kate]

When the contact is through an agency how do you go about sending the thank you to the company? Should you send it to the HR person present at the interview? Should a note be sent to every one at the interview?

[Nancy Loderick]

Kate, great questions. Send a thank you note to everyone you meet with, including the HR person. If your contact is through an agency, also let the agency person know how the interview went. This contact can be via regular email or phone, but don't text it. If you end up getting the job, I would also send a thank you to the agency contact.

During the interview, ask for business cards from everyone you're meeting with. At a very minimum, make sure you catch all their names. If you forget to get business cards, at least you'll have the names. You can later call the company to get contact info, so you can send out your thank you notes.

[Diane K. Danielson]

Another problem with texted thank yous is that people don't keep them like they might a letter, or even an email. If the job is really the one you want, I would go for a thoughtful email (within 24 hours) and written thank you (esp. if the hiring decision makers are Boomers). Emails are immediate, which can be an advantage if the hiring person is making a quick decision. They also invite an immediate response.

Who cares if it's overkill? That's better than having someone not receive your email in time, or in the manner they might expect. Don't forget: people may not actually remember if you thank them, but they ALWAYS remember if you don't.

[Julia Tanen]

Thank you notes are also a must after any meeting or event where someone has so graciously taken their time to speak with you. Doing it in writing with a special card or notepaper is better than email, although email is okay in some circumstances.

If you want to make an impact, send it snail mail! You will stand out.
Julia

[Nancy Loderick]

Diane and Julia, thanks for your input. I agree that anyway you can professionally make yourself stand out from the competition is good. Doing both email and snail mail is an excellent way to keep your name in front of the hiring managers. It is also an unobtrusive way to do so.