Another Case for the Thank-You Note: Generosity
Every so often, I see a reminder for sending thank-you notes—not ones after an interview but just because. Students could practice these positive messages as a way to express generosity.
We encourage students to send a thank-you email within a day of a job interview to differentiate themselves because so few candidates send them. This has a clear purpose: to get a job offer.
More personal notes—to a former teacher, religious leader, camp counselor, or baby sitter—might have no ulterior motive. Instead, they can have deep meaning for the receiver and unintended positive benefits for the sender. The notes are an act of generosity, defined as “the virtue of giving good things to others freely and abundantly.” Research shows that being generous helps us feel better, including feeling more satisfied and less burned out at work. Notes also are an act of humility—thinking of others more than ourselves.
People might resist writing messages because they underestimate the impact. In one study, receivers were more surprised and happier than the writer anticipated. Instead, we tend to worry that a positive message will be awkward.
Suggestions for writing notes follow suggestions for any positive message: start with the main point, add explanations, and end on a positive note. Students practice writing what the receiver did and how it affected their lives in a meaningful way, which is good practice for recognizing others and giving feedback in a work environment.