14.08.2024 Today’s Insights from Harvard Business Review: The Many Uses of Thank-You Notes
Dear Students,
Are thank-you notes – those “old-fashioned” musings dating back 600+ years – potentially useful beyond the 48-hour post-interview window?
Not surprisingly to most of us over the age of 30, the answer is a resounding yes!
According to Hallmark, “The earliest thank-you notes can be traced back to Chinese and Egyptian cultures. People would often write and exchange notes of friendship, good luck and thanks with one another, as well as social notes, in the later 1400s (on papyrus).
Today, just as in the past, thank-you notes are often sent out of gratitude or recognition. They are sent to be meaningful and sincere in way that has helped them stand the test of time.”
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“Okay, I can understand why I should do this,” a new grad like you might say. Yet, when taking the initiative to write a thank-you note, how can ambitious international students like you and your friends make such brief writings meaningful? And when should a student like you consider sending one? In the user-friendly piece below, candidates (yes, you!) will learn from communications expert Sally Susman the 5 keys to bear in mind when crafting these short but powerful written thoughts.
The most important elements boil down to authenticity, sincerity and specificity, all conveying that an aspiring talent like you is truly appreciative of a particular gesture or gift (which could be even a gift of time, information, perspective or insight). Just about anyone, including professors, administrators, employers, supervisors, vendors, colleagues, both professional and personal, loves to receive gratitude/appreciation in written form. In fact, such documents are often treasured and saved for years after their receipt!
Why not, then, take our coaches’ encouragement to “share a smile,” providing a positive feeling to an individual with whom you have interacted? As research has borne out, doing so will also make the writer (meaning you) feel good personally, and, hey, it might even help to build a relationship that can lead to a valuable professional opportunity!
https://hbr.org/2024/08/5-tips-for-writing-meaningful-thank-you-notes?giftToken=7985475591723554866731
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Thank-you notes are a powerful professional tool for leaders. The author — a senior communications professional at Pfizer — shares her experiences learning about the power of thank-you notes from her high-powered mentor and seeing how it benefitted their business, professional relationships, and personal well-being. She also posits five principles of thank-you note-writing: Take time to reflect; thank those who are often forgotten; be specific; make it matter; and it’s never too late.
hbr.org
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Who – or what – can you be thankful for this evening?
Best,
Amy-Louise