Public Finance Blog

A solid thank you note goes a long way if it’s a well-constructed and thought-provoking one.  If you have a boilerplate thank you with no real thought behind it, you might as well not send it.  Even in today’s chatGPT/AI technological world, a thank you note is still very well respected, received, and more importantly appreciated…if it’s well written that is.

A Piece Of You

What is it about a thank you note that is so wanted? The answer is that you have put a little bit of yourself out there on paper.  You should show your true humility to say what is really on your mind and more importantly why this particular position is coveted by you.  If a thank you note is just rote, it will fall on deaf ears; however, on the converse, a solid thank you note coming truly from your heart will be felt.  A hiring manager knows when they receive these notes if it’s genuine or if it’s the same note that you used with other hiring managers.  Make them genuine and authentic.  But how do you do this?

Include These Elements

Use your words, not someone else’s, when you create your solid thank you note. Reiterate the content of your conversation, emphasize what was important to you, and what you got out of your interview.  State clear points that truly meant something to you.  Note what spoke to you the most and what really stood out in your mind.  This is how your thank you note becomes personal and real to the hiring manager.  When an interviewer is taken back to your conversation mentally then your note hits home.  This is the goal of a well-written note.  Why is this important?  When they are taken back to the interview in their mind, they get to relive and remember your strong points.  And if there were weaker areas during your interview, those memories fall further away.  The points you emphasize like your strengths now become heightened.

Different Interviewers, Different Writing

When having multiple interviews, which has clearly been the trend at the higher levels, each thank you note must be customized to the individual interviewer.  You do not want to make them sound similar.  Even employing a different writing style is suggested.  Why?  By changing the style it will cause you mentally to look at each individual note as wholly distinct and a separate writing assignment. Therefore, isolating the highlights from the individual interviews will become more apparent and will make each solid thank you note stand out on its own.  As you have further interviews, this does become harder; but it will cause you to think deeper and that is when your writing will become more distinctive and even more appreciated.  Employ this technique after each interview within twenty-four hours for maximum results.  I cannot emphasize this enough, if you truly want this position, do not forgo this incredibly important step in the process.  No matter how many interviews you have (even with the same person), write personalized thought-provoking notes for maximum results.  But please mean them as your authenticity will be noted, and an inauthentic note will have the reverse effect (which you clearly want to avoid).

Conclusion

You don’t need a resume to chat with us! If you would like to discuss your options, please reach out for a confidential conversation at 760-477-1284 or email at harlan@hfriedmansearch.com. He can also be reached on LinkedIn. Harlan publishes a blog every Thursday here. Subscribe to our monthly newsletter here, which is a compilation of our weekly blogs, so you never miss one. 

About Harlan Friedman, JD & Founding Member, H. Friedman Search LLC. Harlan is a thirty-year veteran Public Finance Banker turned recruiter who specializes in the placement of all levels Public Finance Bankers, Healthcare Bankers, Municipal Advisors, Compliance Officers, Issuers, and Bond Counsels.