With Thanksgiving right around the corner, I’ve been thinking about how grateful I am for P3Hired’s clients, cheerleaders, and community. So, I just want to start off by saying a big thank you to all of you reading this! P3Hired wouldn’t be what it is without YOU.

I’ve also been reflecting a lot on the power of gratitude in the recruiting process. Whether you’re a job seeker or a hiring manager, expressing gratitude and practicing thankfulness can have a serious impact on the success of the recruiting journey. 

Gratitude should always play a role on every side of the hiring process. So, here are some of the ways in which it can have a positive influence.

For Job Seekers:

Expressing gratitude as a job seeker is not only a display of good manners, but it can also set you apart from other candidates. When you take the time to thank hiring managers, interviewers, or recruiters for their time and consideration, you demonstrate your professionalism and genuine interest in the position.

After an interview, sending a personalized thank-you note or email to the individuals you met with can leave a lasting impression. Express your appreciation for the opportunity to interview, reiterate your interest in the role, and thank them for their time and insights. This simple gesture can showcase your communication skills, attention to detail, and courtesy, which are all qualities that employers value in potential hires.

Even if you’re not ultimately selected for a role, expressing gratitude throughout the recruiting process can help you maintain a positive reputation in the industry. Sending a gracious follow-up message to the hiring team, thanking them for the opportunity and expressing your continued interest in future opportunities, can leave a positive impression that may lead to consideration for other roles or referrals to other organizations.

For Hiring Managers:

Things happen fast in recruiting, so it can be easy for hiring managers to overlook gratitude in the process. However, taking the time to express appreciation to candidates can significantly impact their experience and perception of your organization, even if they aren’t the right fit for the current role.

Acknowledging and appreciating a candidate’s interest in your company, their effort in preparing for interviews, and their enthusiasm for the role can leave a positive impression, regardless of the final hiring decision. Whether it’s a personalized email or a phone call, expressing gratitude to candidates for their time and interest reflects positively on your employer brand.

Showing gratitude to your internal team members who are involved in the recruiting process can also boost morale and foster a culture of appreciation. Recognizing the efforts of recruiters, interviewers, and coordinators not only uplifts their spirits but also reinforces a sense of teamwork and camaraderie, which can ultimately enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the recruitment process.

Practicing Gratitude in Networking:

In addition to expressing gratitude within the specific context of job applications and interviews, incorporating a mindset of thankfulness into your overall networking efforts is also of course beneficial. Whether you’re reaching out to industry professionals for informational interviews or seeking mentorship from seasoned professionals, acknowledging the time and insights shared by others is essential in building and maintaining meaningful connections.

As you expand your professional network, a simple “thank you” can go a long way in showing respect and appreciation for the knowledge and experiences that others are willing to share with you. This demonstrates your humility and genuine interest in learning from others, which can help you establish and nurture valuable professional relationships.

Gratitude should always play an integral role in the recruiting process, rather than just being ‘the cherry on top’. Whether you’re a job seeker or a hiring manager, integrating gratitude into your professional interactions can contribute to a more positive, respectful, and fulfilling recruiting experience for all involved parties. Thanksgiving season or not, we should all strive to cultivate a culture of gratitude in our personal and professional lives, because at the end of the day we’re all in this together.