Are you a PNM wondering what you can do to "improve your chances" at recruitment?

[KD4Me]

I read my post several times before I actually posted it, because I didn't want it to sound snippy. The point that I wanted to make is that it is good practice in life to thank those who are offering you assistance. In a situation like this, a note can serve as a reminder to someone that she has agreed to lend assistance.

This time of year, we get lots of questions like "Should I wear the blue dress or black for pref?" "Should I list xyz on my resume?" My point is that it is always a good idea to practice good manners (you received a thank-you immediately, I received none), and that if a girl is wondering how she should prepare for recruitment, brushing up on social graces is a good base to cover.

[DeltaBetaBaby]

Originally Posted by KD4Me

I read my post several times before I actually posted it, because I didn't want it to sound snippy. The point that I wanted to make is that it is good practice in life to thank those who are offering you assistance. In a situation like this, a note can serve as a reminder to someone that she has agreed to lend assistance.

This time of year, we get lots of questions like "Should I wear the blue dress or black for pref?" "Should I list xyz on my resume?" My point is that it is always a good idea to practice good manners (you received a thank-you immediately, I received none), and that if a girl is wondering how she should prepare for recruitment, brushing up on social graces is a good base to cover.

A few years ago, I did on-campus interviews for my company's summer internship. I interviewed 12 people, and got zero thank-you notes. Seriously?

[AlphaFrog]

Originally Posted by KD4Me

I read my post several times before I actually posted it, because I didn't want it to sound snippy. The point that I wanted to make is that it is good practice in life to thank those who are offering you assistance. In a situation like this, a note can serve as a reminder to someone that she has agreed to lend assistance.

This time of year, we get lots of questions like "Should I wear the blue dress or black for pref?" "Should I list xyz on my resume?" My point is that it is always a good idea to practice good manners (you received a thank-you immediately, I received none), and that if a girl is wondering how she should prepare for recruitment, brushing up on social graces is a good base to cover.

You didn't want to sound snippy? Mission not accomplished. Passive-aggressiveness IS snippy. Plus, your getting or not getting a thank you note has as much chance of affecting her recruitment as my dog getting on Broadway. Unless you actually no-rec her for not sending a thank-you, in which case, you'd be a total bitch with less social grace than that which you complain about.

People, if you EXPECT a thank-you note and are going to get POed for not receiving one, do everyone involved a favor and refrain from doing favors.

[KD4Me]

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

You didn't want to sound snippy? Mission not accomplished. Passive-aggressiveness IS snippy. Plus, your getting or not getting a thank you note has as much chance of affecting her recruitment as my dog getting on Broadway. Unless you actually no-rec her for not sending a thank-you, in which case, you'd be a total bitch with less social grace than that which you complain about.

People, if you EXPECT a thank-you note and are going to get POed for not receiving one, do everyone involved a favor and refrain from doing favors.

I've re-read my post, and I disagree that it sounds snippy, but I do think that I mistitled it. Sending a thank-you note will not likely affect a PNM's recruitment, unless (1) their packet got lost en route to the alumna's house and slips through the cracks, in which case the note would alert that alumna to the problem (2) the scenario above, in which an alumna didn't send the rec (which I can't even imagine someone doing).

I do not write recs because I want to receive thank-you notes in the mail. However, just as I expect that I'll receive a thank-you if I give someone a gift or hold the door for someone, I expect that I should receive some thanks (even a post-it attached to her resume) that says "Thank you for your assistance" (or something similar).

I should probably admit that I just finished reading a Miss Manners book. That has probably influenced me!

[shirley1929]

I'm with KD on this one. I've been helping a few girls get their recruitment packets together for RIF and letter writers. The absolutely FIRST thing on my list for them is thank you notes. I'll help them with a script (so they're not reinventing the wheel with each one) but they're mandatory.

In my mind, if we're (sororities) helping groom women to go out into the world, then it starts here.

And yes, if I were interviewing someone and they did NOT send me a thank you note - it would affect my decision about them. Think how they would treat clients once they got into your workplace?

Maybe I'm too southern, though. Meh.

KD's post wasn't snippy, but mine might be...

[DeltaBetaBaby]

Originally Posted by shirley1929

I'm with KD on this one. I've been helping a few girls get their recruitment packets together for RIF and letter writers. The absolutely FIRST thing on my list for them is thank you notes. I'll help them with a script (so they're not reinventing the wheel with each one) but they're mandatory.

In my mind, if we're (sororities) helping groom women to go out into the world, then it starts here.

And yes, if I were interviewing someone and they did NOT send me a thank you note - it would affect my decision about them. Think how they would treat clients once they got into your workplace?

Maybe I'm too southern, though. Meh.

KD's post wasn't snippy, but mine might be...

Well, I'm a northerner and I think it absurd. No thank you = not that interested in the job?

[shirley1929]

Originally Posted by DeltaBetaBaby

Well, I'm a northerner and I think it absurd. No thank you = not that interested in the job?

Seriously. That's what I think it means. Someone took an hour out of their day to interview you and you can't take 5 minutes to write a note? Emily Post in me would prefer handwritten, but even if it's an email...it shows your level of interest or lack thereof.

I swear I'm not trying to snark, it's just what I know.

[BraveMaroon]

Originally Posted by DeltaBetaBaby

Well, I'm a northerner and I think it absurd. No thank you = not that interested in the job?

I'm a Southerner, and if I interviewed 12 people, 11 didn't send me a thank you note and one did... guess who seems more interested and on the ball?

It may not be "fair" - and maybe it is just regional, but I've never dinged anyone for being "too polite".