A cool way to develop your good-news thank-you letters is to printout a bunch of general announcements, and then personalize each one with a handwritten message.

Career Casualty

Don’t be a sourpuss! Look beyond your rejection notice to see what hidden opportunities might lie there. Even if none are evident, a kind thank-you note to the employer could open doors you didn’t know existed.

In addition to sending thank-you notes to friends and colleagues for their help with your job search, think of other ways to show your gratitude for those who were especially kind or generous:

• Take them out to dinner.
• Send flowers or other meaningful gifts.
• Offer to help them with their career advancement.
• Think of something special they love to do and make that activity possible for them.

Networks are built on mutual goodwill and two-way favors. When thanking the members of your network, be sure to ask if there are ways you can help with projects they’re working on.

Each thank-you note you write during your job search will undoubtedly increase the rapport with that member of your network. I’ll bet you’ll thank yourself later for having taken the extra effort to show your appreciation.

Summary

• Thanking those who help in your job search is not only polite, but it’s also smart for building your network.
• Write a short thank-you letter after an interview to increase your chances of winning the job.
• Send a thank-you letter to acknowledge your job acceptance and assure the manager that she made a good choice.
• Thank an employer who has rejected your job application; it may keep the doors open.
• Remember your supportive friends and colleagues by sending them thank-you notes after you land your new job.