Saying Thank You Isn't Just Good Manners - See What's In It For You

 

Why saying thank you isn't just good manners, it actually helps you out in the future

 

It's been said many, many times, but it bears repeating. When you are looking for a job, it is crucial to send a thank you note after every job interview. It's just plain good manners. The thing is, news studies show that not only is it polite, but it improves your chances of getting a job or being considered for a different position in the future.

 

Imagine that someone you don't know very well sent you an email asking you to help them edit their cover letter. They explained that they had been looking for a new job for some time, and they haven't had much luck. In order to improve their chances, they are trying to improve their cover letter.

 

So, after offering advice and help, you receive an email back thanking you for your time. They go on to say how much you're willingness to take time out of your day meant a lot to them. A couple of days later, they send you yet another email asking you for some additional help. How likely are you to agree?

 

If you are like the 66 percent of people that participated in a recent study, you would be more than willing to help the person out one more time. However, if the second email had been neutral, yet friendly, only 33 percent of people would offer the additional help.

 

A recent article a PsyBlog, referenced a study that was published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. In the study, the researchers found that saying “Thank you.” was so much more than just good manners. In fact, they found that when you express gratitude, you actually makes people more likely to help you in the future.

 

Some people might think that the reason is that when you show gratitude to someone, it boosts their self-esteem and makes them more motivated to repeat the behavior. However, the theory that seems to be the most valid is that, when people are thanked for their time, they feel needed. We all like feeling needed and socially valued.

 

The reason that people give most often, for refusing a request for help, is that they worry that their help isn't really needed. Most of the time, people worry that they don't have the ability to offer meaningful help or that taking the time to provide assistance will just end up being a waste of time. A simple expression of gratitude can overcome all of these factors.

 

So, what does this mean for a job search? It is just another reason why taking the time to send a thank-you note is so crucial. It's not just an antiquated pleasantry, it actually will make the person who receives it more willing to help you later. This could mean that when the decision about who to hire, when the field has been narrowed to just a few, could be made easier. Even if you don't get the job, the interviewer might be more likely to keep you in mind for a future job opening.

 

Whatever the reason, be sure to send a thank you note after an interview. I have never, ever heard a hiring manager complain that someone sent an unnecessary thank you note. You have nothing to lose, and according to this research, everything to gain.

 

Do you always send out a thank you note after an interview? Why or why not? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

 

By Melissa Kennedy- Melissa is a 9 year blog veteran and a freelance writer for LogisticsJobsiteBlog, along with helping others find the job of their dreams, she enjoys computer geekery, raising a teenager, supporting her local library, writing about herself in the third person and working on her next novel.