We've all seen it in the headlines in the past couple of weeks: "The United States Post Office is dying." With the continued surge of private shipping corporations and a global health crisis that is cutting mail flow off at the knees, it appears that the post office may be joining local restaurants and small businesses in permanently shuttering once life returns to a post-pandemic normal.
There is an unconscious mundanity to the routine of the post office; it's something you never think about until the moment you have to. In this way, it's difficult to comprehend a world without a post office and easy to consider if your life would be any different without it. However, in all of the articles discussing bailout money, aid packages, and attempts to privatize, something not addressed is something that still feels undeniable: the cultural capital of a handwritten thank-you note.
However, in a time where jobs are going digital at a faster rate than ever, the new way to stand out may actually not be so new at all.
There is no denying that the digitization of best business practices has streamlined the entire process of employment — all the way from applying to hiring. LinkedIn was founded in 2003 on the basis that you don't have to shake hands to network anymore and is only one of countless platforms and digital methods that have replaced job fairs, handing out business cards, and the ever-dreaded cold-calling.
However, in a time where jobs are going digital at a faster rate than ever, the new way to stand out may actually not be so new at all. A handwritten thank-you note, the honored tradition of grandmothers and birthday parties alike, may prove more effective at helping you to stand out than any number of digital self-marketing techniques. Simply put, a handwritten thank you note continues to demonstrate something that an email follow-up simply cannot. A letter shows a little bit of grace, class, and care, and it's certainly cheaper than a fruit basket or a bottle of wine. Plus, you never have to worry about it getting buried in your thousands of unopened emails.
So consider this your opportunity to make it personal — literally. As much as we all get excited about emails reporting that our packages are out for delivery, the purity of receiving mail that is unexpected and unannounced touches us differently. There is real, tangible effort there, an endearing quality for anyone we might invite into our lives, be it through friendship, romantic pursuits, or even a potential employment opportunity.
By taking the time and attention to write out a note (and to spell everything correctly), you are demonstrating your employability and your character at the same time. A handwritten letter embodies all of the interview advice you've ever received: Be concise. Be authentic. Be considerate. Be yourself.
As much as we all get excited about emails reporting that our packages are out for delivery, the purity of receiving mail that is unexpected and unannounced touches us differently.
Let's return to the days where "You've Got Mail" wasn't just an outdated digital notification from AOL (or a rom-com starring Meg Ryan.) And while both of the references might make you appear out-dated, contrary to modern conventions, handwriting a letter won't. Somehow, letters have shifted into the elegance of timelessness, where regardless of your age or the age of the recipient, it will mean something more than the words inside. Handwriting a letter is about the details that make us unique and make us human, seeking out a connection to simply say, "Thanks."
Much like that job interview or consultation over coffee, however, appearance is everything. Here are a few online stationery providers that may suit your thank-you note needs:
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By taking the time and attention to write out a note (and to spell everything correctly), you are demonstrating your employability and your character at the same time.
Regardless of the stationary option that you choose, you are sure to make an impression by mailing a handwritten thank you letter to your interviewer or the friend of a friend who talked with you about a career change. Letters represent a transition back to basics, where gratitude is in the details, and networking can happen in your mailbox — not your inbox. And maybe, while we are seeking new, old ways to say thank you and expand our own networks, we can save the USPS, too.