5 reasons to send thank you letters now more than ever

5 reasons to send thank you letters now more than ever5 reasons to send thank you letters now more than everThis targeted self-marketing tool can get you to the next round interview thank you letters.Think of thank-you letters as a self-marketing tool and a critical component of your job-search strategy. The time you invest crafting a targeted thank-you letter after an interview is time well spent, and it will help you create a credible and efficient search.Dont believe me? Here are five reasons why you should incorporate thank-you letters into your search strategy1) A thank-you letter creates an opportunity to re-connect with employers.Chances are you arent the only candidate being interviewed for an open position. Writing a follow-up letter allows you to build a relationship with the interviewer and develop rapport. By expressing your gratitude for the interview and recapping the highlights of the meeting, you revisit the reasons why you are the best fit for the position.2) Followi ng up keeps your candidacy top of mind.A candidate often makes the mistake of putting too much control in the interviewers hands. He believes that if hes the best candidate, the interviewer will remember him and keep him in the loop regarding the selection process. Unfortunately, this doesnt often happen. Its critical that a candidate remind prospective employers of his interest in a position. The thank-you letter is the perfect vehicle for communicating this interest.3) Written correspondence gives you another chance to sell your strengths.While the thank-you letter expresses gratitude for the meeting, it also serves a much more strategic purpose. It provides an opportunity for the candidate to present her skills and accomplishments in another format and market the value shell add to the employer.4) The document enables you to address points you neglected to discuss during the interview.Many candidates, after leaving the interview, think of other things they could have said during the meeting. Dont label this a liability turn it into an asset by discussing these points in the thank-you letter. Remind the reader of your ability to produce similar results for their organization.5) A letter helps develop rapport and increases the employers comfort level in your candidacy.A good strategy is to recap a part of the conversation where you and the interviewer shared similar views on a job-related topic. The thank-you letter can also be a forum for demonstrating your consultative problem-solving skills. By addressing current issues the employer is facing and proposing solutions, you are contributing to the companys success even before you are onboard.Thank you letters continue to be an important component of a successful job-search campaign. But the focus has shifted from a simple courtesy and show of appreciation to a targeted self-marketing tool. By creating a letter that validates your candidacy, builds rapport and reminds the reader of your value added, you can si gnificantly influence potential employers and - most importantly - increase your chances for subsequent interviews.