Throughout your job search process never forget to extend common courtesies. This starts with saying please and thank you as often as possible.

You will always compete with other job seekers, who often don’t even send an email saying thank you. Imagine how much you would stand out and differentiate yourself from your competition, by sending a handwritten thank you note.

You should thank people for referrals, informational interviews, every interview throughout the hiring process, reference checks and during your follow up process. Send thank you notes within 24 hours, handwrite the person’s name, title and write the words Personal and Confidential in the lower left-hand corner to make sure this person opens the envelope vs. their assistant.

Don’t forget to obtain business cards from everyone you meet and also send a thank you note to the Receptionist and anyone else that assisted you in the interview process.