Always Remember to Say Thank You

Entry by Pat Patterson

Just as your mother had advised when you were growing up, it is important to always say please and thank you.  More specifically, after your summer internship is over, don’t forget to send a thank you note to your host organization.

The Intern Queen has some great advice for Thank You notes in her blog, I AM INTERN:

If you work for a small company and have been introduced to the president at one time or another, I do think you should send him/her a thank-you note along with another note to your direct supervisor and any other executives that have helped you over the summer. Below are a few quick Thank You note tips:

1. Either purchase your own stationary or go the store and pick up professional looking Thank You notes in the card section. Get something basic that says Thank You on the front and is blank inside. You should be filling in the inside – not the card company.
2. The inside of the note should thank the employer for the opportunity, reference specific tasks that you enjoyed doing, and mention how you look forward to staying in touch.
3. Sign a Thank You note with “Best” or “Sincerely” unless you and your employer are on an “xo” basis. You are only on an “xo” basis with your employer if they have closed a note to you with that in the past.
4. If you do purchase your own stationary, make sure to keep it simple and classy. When picking it out, think about if you would use the same stationary in 15 years – is it timeless? If the answer is yes, you are probably picking out the right stationary.

I have heard countless stories of students landing an internship or job offer because they managed to inch ahead of their similarly qualified competitors with a thank you note. Saying thank you to the organization you interned with can have a big impact, as your employer may be more apt to remember you when they start hiring full-time.  And remember, thank you notes are not only meant for your previous employers – send follow-up/thank you notes to people you meet at networking events, people who offer you advice, organizations you interview with, etc.  The smallest gesture can make the biggest difference in the world.