The Power of the “Thank You” Letter
|
Posted By: Stacie Coulter on August 09, 2011 By Dania Mallette: Not all high schools have the ability to properly prepare their graduates for everything they’ll encounter in life. For example, many schools typically focus on helping students excel in taking important exams, such as the SATs, in order to improve their chances of getting into the right college or university. However, one of the most crucial skills that isn’t usually taught is the power of networking and correspondence–namely, the Thank You letter. What makes thank you letters so powerful is that they make for great networking tools. This action alone speaks volumes to an individual’s professionalism, which can go a long way when dealing with networking for academic and career-related purposes. Additionally, sending this type of letter allows the recipient to remember who you are, which could lead to great opportunities that you might not have been considered for previously. So when is it necessary for a college student to send a thank you letter? While different occasions call for it, below are a few of the most important times: 1. After Receiving a College Scholarship: Getting free money for school in the form of a scholarship is a great way to afford college related expenses. It is important that you let the organization that gave you the scholarship know that you appreciate their decision to choose you among the many others vying for the same thing. Sending a thank you letter will make them feel good about their choice and reinforce their belief that you were the right person to give the scholarship to. 2. After Completing an Internship: Being able to secure an internship during college is a crucial step towards getting real world experience and looks great on a resume. If you’ve been fortunate enough to complete an internship, send a thank you letter to the company, highlighting your favorite experiences and thanking them for the skills you’ve learned. 3. After Receiving a Letter of Recommendation: A letter of recommendation is a powerful networking tool that can help any college student and/or graduate secure a new job, placement in a special program (such as study abroad) or an internship. Remember, the person that wrote the letter took time out of his/her schedule to recognize your potential and give you the recommendation so show your appreciation properly with a thank you letter. 4. After a Job Interview: Being invited for an interview is an opportunity that puts an individual one step closer to getting his/her dream job or other related position. One or two days afterwards, follow up with a thank you letter, which should be addressed to the person that you interviewed with. Keep it short and to the point–this is not the time to restate your qualifications or why you would be great for the job. Writing thank you letters is a task that shouldn’t be rushed or done carelessly. What is contained in your letter will be a direct reflection on your character. You want your thank you letter to be professional, polished and free of grammatical errors and typos. Although it is easy to submit thank you letters via email, typing up a traditional thank you letter and sending it through the mail still makes for the most formal method. Keep your letter to one page and make sure to address the recipient by the appropriate name and title. If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
 |
Stacie Coulter
Executive Assistant , Member Since September 2005 |
More From This Author
Latest News
 |
HBCU AWAREFEST Week 2026: Impact Fest, Comedy, VIP Access & More2026 HBCU IMPACT FEST presented by HBCU AWAREFEST Saturday, March 21st . 10 AM - 5 PM AUC Robert W. Woodruff Library & Promenade Join students, families, educators, and community leaders for the 2026 ...more
Reginald Culpepper • 86 Views • March 13th, 2026 |
Popular News
 |
North Carolina HBCU Unity DayShaw University - Elizabeth City State University - Johnson C. Smith University - Fayetteville State University - Livingstone College - North Carolina A&T State University - North Carolina Central Uni ...more
Reginald Culpepper • 105,365 Views • August 8th, 2016 |
