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I do live in the South. Perhaps it is a regional thing. Our Alumnae Panhellenic does stress to PNMs that they should send thank-you notes.
As for the thank-you after job interviews, I agree that it is necessary. I was taught in college that the post-interview thank you note is a way to stand out (guess this means that everyone doesn't write them, come to think of it), reiterate your interest and enthusiasm for the job, and to clarify/minimize any of your weaknesses that you felt might be a hindrance to your obtaining the position. For that reason, I have always made sure they are in the mail pronto (next morning at latest) because I want the interviewer to see my note before the final decision is made.
If I were doing the interviewing, I wouldn't eliminate someone who didn't send a note or hire someone obviously less qualified who did, but I would think twice before hiring someone who didn't send a note. Not because I love getting thank-you notes so much, but because I have always (and continue to) hear those advising job-seekers to send post-interview notes. Seems that if someone really wants the job, that he or she will try to make the effort to stand out.
All of this discussion about thank you notes has reminded me that I have one of my own to write. I'd better get to it, right now!
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