After Job Interviews - The Powerful Thank-You Note

Written by: Sandi MacCalla – Founder, LifeSkills Academy – 2/17/2025

I recommend Thank You notes after a job interview only if:

• You are honestly interested in the position
• It is in your top five to eight favorites
• You want to keep the door open on this option

The job market is always competitive for positions you’re interested in. Sending Thank You notes as your SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) is like throwing spaghetti on the wall or trolling for a strike … any strike. If you have energy and creativity to spare, go for it. Otherwise, pace your energy, time, and brain cells to those opportunities that truly interest you.

Employers don't hire resumes; they hire individuals with shared values, interests, and a compatible communication style. Establishing this connection is crucial—often, it’s the small details that matter. Enter the Thank-You note: a simple yet powerful tool to leave a lasting impression after an interview.

Here’s how to craft a thank-you note that not only expresses gratitude but also strengthens your impact:

1. Promptness Matters
   • Send a thank-you note within 24 hours of the interview.
   • Why?: Promptness demonstrates sincere interest, professional responsiveness, and attention to detail.
     
     
2. Personalize Your Message
   • Do Not use generic templates: Tailor your note to reflect the specifics of your interview.
   • Show your attentiveness: Mention a unique topic or detail discussed during the conversation.
     
     
3. Express Genuine Gratitude
   • Be sincere: Thank the interviewer for their time, the opportunity to learn more about the role, their encouragement, and any recommendations shared.
   • Be specific: Highlight why their time and insights were valuable to you.
     
     
4. Highlight Key Takeaways
   • Recall meaningful moments: Mention specific projects, challenges, or insights shared during the interview.
   • Reflect on aspects that align with your skills and career goals.
     
     
5. Reaffirm Your Interest
   • Highlight your high interest in the opportunity.
   • Connect to the company: Iterate how your top skills and values align with theirs.
     
     
6. Address Unmentioned Points
   • Fill in the gaps: If you recalled something after the interview, now’s the time to include it.
   • Add value: Share additional insights or qualifications that support your candidacy.
     
     
7. Maintain a Professional Tone
   • Be concise: Keep your message focused and positive.
   • Avoid casual language or industry jargon: Stay professional, even if the interview felt informal.
     
     
8. Proofread Thoroughly
   • No mistakes: Typos and errors undermine your professionalism and send the wrong message about you.
   • Double-check details: Ensure names, titles, and all specifics are accurate.

Sample Email (add your voice to this):

Subject: Thank You for the Opportunity

Dear [Interviewer’s Name],

Thank you for meeting with me yesterday to discuss the [Job Title] role at [Company Name]. I truly enjoyed learning more about the company’s goals and the exciting challenges ahead.
I was particularly inspired by our conversation about [specific project or topic discussed]. It reinforced my enthusiasm for this role and my confidence that my skills in [specific skill or experience] would make a meaningful contribution to your team.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need additional information from me. Thank you again—I’m excited about the prospect of joining [Company Name] and contributing to its success.

Best regards,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Contact Information]

Recognize the hidden power of a thank-you note: it’s not merely a gesture of politeness but builds rapport and demonstrates your fit for the role. By crafting a thoughtful message, you’re not just saying “thank you”—you’re forging a professional connection to shape your career.

For more tips, check out:

• 6 Sample Thank-you Emails After an Interview (Plus Tips!) | The Muse
• jeff su thank you note after interview - YouTube

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Written by: Sandi MacCalla – Founder, LifeSkills Academy – 2/10/2025

Excelling in communication involves honing skills that exhibit clarity, problem-solving, negotiations, compassion, and effective connections. Here are ways to enhance success with your everyday communication:

1. Proactive Listening
   • Engage Fully: Show genuine interest in what the other person is saying. Make eye contact, nod, and give timely responses.
   • Avoid Interrupting: Wait for the speaker to finish their comments before responding.
   • Summarize and Reflect: Paraphrase key points to ensure and show you are understanding.
     
     
2. Be Clear and Concise
   • Organize Your Thoughts: Take a moment to structure your ideas before speaking.
   • Use Direct Language: Avoid jargon and complex words. Aim for clarity and simplicity.
   • Stay on Topic: Be focused and relevant.
     
     
3. Develop Emotional Intelligence
   • Self-Awareness: Understand your feelings and how they affect your communication.
   • Empathy: Put yourself in others’ shoes to understand their feelings and perspectives.
   • Manage Emotions: Stay calm and composed. In stressful situations, do deep, intentional breathing, steeple your fingers, relax your eyes, face and shoulders.
     
     
4. Enhance Problem-Solving Skills
   • Identify the Issue: Clearly define the problem before offering solutions.
   • Collaborate: Work with others to brainstorm and evaluate potential solutions.
   • Communicate Solutions: Clearly explain your proposed solutions and your thoughts behind them.
     
     
5. Improve Negotiation Skills
   • Prepare Comprehensively: Understand your goals, the other party’s goals, and possible compromises.
   • Listen Actively: Understand the other party’s perspective and needs.
   • Communicate Clearly: Articulate ideas clearly and confidently.
   • Identify Best Outcomes – Consider ethical ways for each party to benefit.
     
     
6. Show Compassion and Understanding
   • Be Respectful: Treat others with kindness and respect, regardless of the situation.
   • Offer Support: Show that you care about others’ well-being and are willing to help.
   • Acknowledge Feelings: Validate others’ emotions and experiences.
     
     
7. Build Effective Connections
   • Be Approachable: Maintain a friendly and open demeanor.
   • Engage in Small Talk: Build rapport through casual conversations.
   • Follow Up: Stay in touch and show sincere interest in others’ lives.
     
     
8. Utilize Nonverbal Communication
   • Body Language: Use positive body language, such as an open posture, relaxing your stance and eye contact.
   • Facial Expressions: Ensure your facial expressions match your words. Smile appropriately to assure friendliness.
   • Gestures: Use appropriate gestures to emphasize your points.
     
     
9. Seek Feedback and Reflect
   • Ask for Feedback: Regularly ask for helpful comments on your communication skills from peers and mentors.
   • Reflect on Interactions: Analyze your conversations to identify areas for improvement.
   • Continuous Learning: Stay open to learning and improving your communication skills.
     
     
10. Adapt to Different Styles
    • Understand Preferences: Recognize that people have different communication styles and adapt appropriately.
    • Be Flexible: Adjust your approach based on the context and the person you are communicating with.

By mastering these techniques, you will enhance your communication skills and build stronger, effective connections in both personal and professional settings.

“If you just communicate, you can get by. But if you communicate skillfully, you can work miracles.”
~ Jim Rohn, author, speaker and entrepreneur

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Written by: Sandi MacCalla – Founder, LifeSkills Academy – 2/3/2025

Kindness is a prized trait, along with compassion. It, however, fits into the category of “Thanks, but no BIG,” when offered to us. Why? Here are key benefits:

• It triggers a sense of happiness
• It reduces overall physical pain
• It lowers stress and blood pressure
• It increases the satisfaction of personally making a difference

So why is it hard to accept kindness/help/compliments when freely given?
Have any of these been your response:

• “No problem…”
• “Aw, it’s nothing!”
• “You’re too kind.”
• “Oh, almost anyone would do the same thing.”
• “You didn’t have to.”

It seems our response goes back in time. Early on, many of us learn to ‘armor up’ when rejection/disappointment/acknowledgment appears so we can protect our vulnerable, soft underside. Probably a good choice, but with a downside. When and how can we develop a healthy inner balance of receiving kindness, care, love, and being valued?

In the etiquette classes I’ve taught for school-age students, we create a large envelope to put treasured pictures, letters, and personal notes that is marked “The Goods.” When life is not giving good feedback and we need to recall who has been kind, we enjoy those moments again and feel there is hope ahead.

Some people have a daily gratitude journal to trigger recall of all the ‘Good’ that happens in their life. Personally, I have an on-again/off-again relationship with journaling. When I read my journal though, I am pleasantly surprised to revisit events, observations, and the high notes of life.

Recently, I stumbled upon some other ways to internalize “The Goods”:

• Activating Our Inner World (no large envelopes needed)
  A psychiatrist’s approach created for his clients to heal and balance:
  
  • Treasure Chest
    • Close your eyes and imagine your private treasure chest designed by you and all yours alone. Clear details make it more real to your brain when you need to use it.
    • When you’re offered a kind word, or compliment, instead of batting it away, imagine placing it in your treasure chest.
    • Visualize kindness as high-value like gold or a precious jewel.
    • Allow yourself to feel it. You may sense a ripple of warmth in your belly, chest, or throat. You may even feel taller, with an expanded chest or relaxed shoulders.
    • Over time, your treasure chest grows. You accept kindness and compassionate gestures, rather than ignoring them. You start to feel differently – about yourself, others, and your future. Nothing radical, just slow, steady change. Then one day, you are a bit happier, more confident, and feel valued.

Gracious acceptance is an art–an art which most never bother to cultivate. We think that we have to learn how to give, but we forget about accepting things, which can be much harder than giving. Accepting another person’s gift is allowing him to express his feelings for you. ~ Alexander McCall Smith

• Learning the Language of Gratitude

An act of kindness often catches me off guard and I barely mumble my appreciation. There’s no single “right way” to express gratitude but having a few thoughtful responses ready can make a difference. Expressing gratitude honors the selfless act of someone else on our behalf. No matter the size of the gift, the giver’s gesture always warrants our sincere thanks. Here are some options:

• This means a lot to me
• You mean a lot to me.
• Your support means more than you know.
• I feel honored.
• I’m grateful for you.
• I appreciate your help.
• You are the best.
• This moment will stand out to me forever.
• You are very generous.
• I’m so touched by your gesture.
• Your generosity makes me want to be better.

Until we can receive with an open heart, we are never really giving with an open heart. ~ Brené Brown

When giving and receiving are more natural, we can give from our heart and receive the gift of love and kindness every time it is given. How many gifts are waiting for us?

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