The Power of Saying Thanks

About a year ago, I attended a charity event at which several vendors were selling their wares. I purchased a piece of jewelry from one of the vendors. Shortly thereafter, I received a thank you note from the seller, with her business card enclosed. I was floored. I’d never received a thank you note for purchasing something before. I still have that thank you note, and chances are that the next time I’m in the market for jewelry, she’s the person I’ll go to – not just because I liked what I purchased, but because her handwritten thank you note (which refereneced the particular piece I purchased) impressed me.

The September isue of the ABA Journal contains an article by Hope Viner Samborn, entitled “Thanks a Bunch; The Right Expression of Gratitude Will Hit a High Note With Interviewers.” The article talks about the importance of the follow up thank you note after interviewing for a law firm job.

Some tips from the article include:

1. Take time to think about your thank you note – don’t send it from your PDA the moment you leave the office;
2. Handwrite or type your thank you notes – they show more thought and effort and are more likely to be both read and retained by the employer;
3. Make sure your note has a personal touch – with quality paper, etc., and that it identifies something unique to you that was discussed during your interview – this will make both you and your message more memorable;
4. If you must email your thank you, make sure your message is sent from an acceptable name, and doesn’t include inappropriate signature lines, photos, etc.;
5. Keep it short and sweet;
6. Don’t reiterate your credentials in the thank you note;
7. Send a thank you even if you think the interview didn’t go well;
8. Don’t forget to thank each interviewer, as well as the administrative person involved in scheduling your interview.

For most of us, interviewing for a job doesn’t happen that frequently, and we may not consider thank you notes often in a business context. But the above tips are useful to keep in mind at other times as well. When you meet a potential client or referral source, or conduct an initial consultation, you are being interviewed in a sense. Most of us would send a thank you after interviewing with a potential employer, but how many remember to send a thank you when they meet with a new lead or potential referral source?

As my story illustrates, receiving a written thank you note makes a lasting impression. Even if a client decides not to retain you or your firm, you will likely be remembered positively – and that positive impression might result in referrals or future business. And you can send thank you notes to existing clients during an engagement, or upon completion of a client’s matter.

A thank you note is a simple, cost effective method that shows good manners. And in the ‘electronic age’ when we’re getting more and more electronic mail, a thank you note that arrives by way of the post office is even more welcome, and more likely to stand out. Sending a thank you note will help you build relationships, establish goodwill and differentiate yourself.

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