Thank You Card from Papyrus.
I always try to keep an inventory of Thank You cards at home, as I can send them out to friends who threw wonderful dinner parties or prospective employers who took the time to interview me. With them also, I can extend thanks for everything else in between.
It’s been a while since I’ve used them or even bothered to replenish my stock, so in my commitment to do more correspondence by post, I picked some up from Papyrus in Fashion Valley. They come in a variety of colors and patterns, but I wanted to get some I could send to anyone regardless of the occasion, This blue with the lime green border should do fine.
It’s easy to send the Thank You Note by e-mail, given the ubiquity of data phones such as the iPhone and the Blackberry. That, coupled with text speak, is considered a cheap gesture by some and may even have disastrous consequences, such as losing out on a job offer. The message that one can send is, “Thoughtless and does not take the time to do anything properly.” While sending a card or letter expressing thanks to an interviewer doesn’t mean the candidate is a better person, the gesture especially stands out when the office culture is flooded with e-mails.
If e-mail’s cheap, then sending the Thank You gesture through social network sites is downright hoochy. Facebook isn’t exempt from this. This applies more to Facebook than MySpace or some of the other social networks because of it’s accessibility and popularity. The appeal is in that the message is seen right away and the gesture’s even public, especially if it’s written on someone’s virtual wall. Somehow, private messaging in social networks are below the standard e-mail systems in the hierarchy of online communication. If sending that interviewer an e-mail from a data phone is a huge gaffe, then friending them on Facebook and sending them a message through that medium is even a bigger one.
I’ve hit on the point that thoughtful Thank You correspondence to potential employers is crucial. For those relationships that are more informal, this gesture doesn’t have to be stuffy or excessively formal. There are variety of cards to suit one’s style, ranging from austere white to bright, colorful, and quirky. You can even make your own or just write a note on a clean piece of paper, fold it up, and send it to that person who was generous with their time and their home for a dinner party or any other event. While they may appreciate the thanks by e-mail or a phone call, getting that note in the mail will make their day.
As for me, I’m starting up this custom again and I’m sending out the cards. I will stand out for sure.
Tags: communication styles, correspondence, e-mail, etiquette, Facebook, faux pas, gaffes, social networking, Thank You Cards, Thanks
I’ve been re-ordering personalized note cards and stationery for years now and I find that it makes an amazing impact on people. I find that some events do call for an “e-mail letter” which can be just as touching as regular mail, but I agree that the “thanks!” one can send via certain networking sites is woefully insufficient.
In my recent unclutter efforts, I’ve found my fountain pens that my wonderful friend Al gave me on various birthdays. I need to clean them and get some ink for them. I’m trying to re-train my hands to not cramp up every time I grab a pen.
One of my goals this New Year is to send out more handwritten cards! I got a stack of me waiting to go in the mail. Thanks for the encouragement
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@Brian: That’s pretty cool that you personalize the cards. I usually go to the stationary shop and find a set with a little quirkiness and get them. I’ll definitely keep in mind customizing as it’s the extra step and that makes an impact.
Fountain pens are a very powerful totem indeed.
You have the distinction of posting the 666th comment on ShindoTV.
@Melodie I’m glad you’re encouraged by the post. Keep me posted.
I’m definitely going to collect more addresses from friends to get this thing going. Also, I need to order some business cards, another social protocol to work on. More on that later.