As we slide into spring and the upcoming graduation season, I reached out to a number of readers to ask them about certain aspects of job seeking. This week, I asked about the importance of the handwritten thank you after a formal job interview or meeting. Their answers were edited for clarity and brevity.
Pete Guelli, executive vice president, Charlotte Hornets:
Formal correspondence post meeting is critical. It may seem dated, but it speaks to the candidate’s desire and interest level. Also, if they won’t follow up on our meeting, how can I trust them to follow up appropriately if they work for me?
Patrick Sandusky, chief external affairs officer, U.S. Olympic Committee:
If it is thoughtful and well-written, it can be very powerful. After receiving a great follow-up, handwritten note from a runner-up candidate for a recent job we had open, I immediately recommended this person to another department at the USOC and that person was hired. The note really made a difference.
Don Yee, agent and partner, Yee & Dubin Sports:
It’s difficult to get anyone’s attention for very long anymore, so I recommend taking any opportunity to make an additional impression. A handwritten note demonstrates, at the very least, that you’ve taken the time to do the task.
Harvey Schiller, president of sports, media and entertainment, Diversified Search:
Adds a very personal ingredient to the contact. I would add an email or a call as well since I’ve found “snail mail” is often not received.
Valerie Camillo, chief revenue and marketing officer, Washington Nationals:
Given the pace of our business and decision-making, in most cases, by the time the handwritten note arrives, we’ve already made our decision. That’s not to say, “don’t bother sending a thank you note.” I just think an electronic note is now as acceptable as a handwritten one, and can reach decision-makers in a more timely manner. To me, there are no extra points for having sent it via mail.
Charles Davis, football analyst, Fox Sports:
It’s still important, and proper courtesy. When I receive a handwritten note, I look at the person in a positive light, and see them as someone that I believe is very interested in doing a nice job of representing the company in a proper manner.
Bill Goodwyn, president/CEO, Discovery Education:
While a handwritten note is the gold standard, we all know that we live in a digitally connected world. Today, seizing the moment and optimizing momentum are king. After I finish meeting with a prospective candidate, while it’s nice to receive a written note the following week, it’s impressive to see a “thank you” email the same day of our meeting. The content of your follow-up is just as important. Making relevant linkages back to the conversation we had, introducing a new thought that you may not have shared, and underscoring how you can contribute to the success of our organization, demonstrate your enthusiasm, ability to think strategically and connect the dots. A handwritten thank you note is still a nice touch, but it may seem out of touch with the fast-paced business environment of today.
Allen Hershkowitz, president, Green Sports Alliance:
When I receive a handwritten thank you note promptly after an interview, it tells me the applicant has emotional intelligence. It suggests that if I were to hire this person, she or he would be appropriately attentive to business etiquette, show appropriate deference to others’ professional experience, and not embarrass the firm. There is only an upside for the applicant in sending a handwritten note (be sure to keep it legible). People hire people they like. A handwritten note provides an added opportunity for the interviewer to decide that she or he likes the applicant.
Jessica Gelman, vice president of customer marketing and strategy, Kraft Sports Group:
A thoughtful and timely email highlighting relevant details from our conversation plus ideas to improve our business is most critical. A handwritten note is a nice touch, but the message is the most important element. I have been most impressed when someone follows up with a note that references an article (or book) which might be of interest based on our conversation.
Seth Abraham, former president, HBO Sports and Madison Square Garden:
Critical. Firstly, it is the courteous thing to do. Secondly, it “prolongs” the relationship and connection with the interviewer. It lets him or her know how much you appreciate their time.
Issa Sawabini, partner, Fuse:
In a digital world, sometimes a handwritten note can have a big impact and separate you from other candidates. Make sure you write something meaningful and actually proofread your work. You can’t include a note at the bottom blaming your iPhone for any spelling errors.
Rick Jones, founder/CEO, FishBait Marketing:
It is very important. Firstly, it shows thoughtfulness that you valued the interview or meeting. It takes a little longer to write a handwritten note than to write an email or a text. Secondly, it shows initiative that you want the relationship to continue. Thirdly, it shows class and there’s not enough of that out there right now.
Sarah Hirshland, senior managing director of business affairs, U.S. Golf Association:
When done well, a handwritten note can be very memorable. But for a handwritten note to be a powerful tool, it must have substance and make an impact with its content. A handwritten note demonstrates an unusual effort so make sure that the message itself reflects that same effort. Offer a relevant observation, a nugget of new insight, or the result of something you have learned since your last interaction. And take care to ensure the presentation of your note is true to your personal brand.
Ben Milsom, chief ticketing officer, Tampa Bay Buccaneers:
The handwritten note is a differentiator. Today, we live by text and email, so for someone to take the time to purchase nice stationery and sit down and write a letter is something that I value and conveys their personal brand.
Brian Cooper, president/CEO, S&E Sponsorship Group:
A handwritten note communicates a sincerity and desire on behalf of the sender to build a meaningful relationship. In a culture where an increasing amount of networking is happening behind a screen over email, a handwritten note can help a job-seeker differentiate themselves.
I value a handwritten thank you note — from job applicants or top executives who take the time to write me personal notes regarding our coverage. The time and thought behind it shows the matter is important to them.
But the issue of timeliness changes things for me. I recently received a thank you for a handwritten note I wrote four months ago — the recipient had JUST received it. Instead of looking timely and personal, I looked woefully out of touch! So a combination of quick email follow-up with a more personal handwritten note should cover all bases.
Over the next few weeks, I’ll ask for tips on networking and the skill sets employers look for in today’s young people. If you have thoughts or comments, please send them my way.
Abraham D. Madkour can be reached at amadkour@sportsbusinessjournal.com.
