In feature

How to Write a Post-Interview Thank You Note

Author AnaPosted on

Having a “well-appointed desk” goes beyond just having the right pen or paper at hand. I believe that it is also about having the right mindset and this includes a bit of office etiquette and professional strategies.

A great example of that is knowing how to make a good impression and that starts when you interview for a job. Take the time to write a thank you note.

I’ve seen it so many times in my career – a job is open, resumes are submitted and candidates are selected to interview. Then the interviewers go back to the day-to-day tasks of keeping their company or department running and the decision about which candidate to be offered the position is put on the backburner. Then, in the hectic-ness of the day, a small envelope appears on the desk. “Hmmm, I wonder what this is?” is the thought that springs to mind as the envelope is opened. Inside is a Thank You note with a few short lines thanking the recipient for the chance to interview and a word or two that brings back a conversation from the interview. “Oh, that’s right, I remember that candidate. And he/she was thoughtful enough to send a Thank You card. Maybe I should take another look at their resume?”

See how that works? It helps make you memorable and shows that this job is important enough to you to scrape ten minutes out of your day to write a note.

I believe that writing a thank you note is also important if you ask for a professional favor – a lunch meeting with a mentor to help you solve a problem – or anytime you ask someone to go above their normal duties for your benefit.

Just a little professional PSA for all our fine readers.

(via Crane & Co.: The Blog)

In link

Capital Examination of the Declaration of Independence

Author AnaPosted on

I realize this particular article might have been more timely last week, I hadn’t realized until I had time to read it fully that it dealt specifically with the liberal use of capital letters in the Declaration of Independence, specifically the flourished “original” document with the signatures at the bottom including John Hancock’s enormous flourish.

In the end, the author’s case is that we should not lose cursive handwriting and the ability to write it and read it in this era moving ever more forcefully into the digital age.

(via The New Yorker)

In link

Uni-Ball Jetstream F*Series Multi-Pen

Author AnaPosted on

Uniball Jetstream F*Series Multipen

As I have previously mentioned, after swearing that all ballpoint pens were the vilest of all writing tools and eating crow when introduced to the Uniball Jetstream 0.5 in Ash Green, I decided to test drive one of the Jetstream Multipens. This model is considered part of the F*Series (F for feminine but I think F* looks like a swear word and there is nothing about this pen that is all that feminine other than it is a fairly narrow body for a 3-tool multipen) and was purchased from our fine sponsors, JetPens for $11.50. The body of this pen is a smooth black plastic (called Luminous Black) with bits of metallic mica flakes in the plastic that gives it a sparkly, starry night look. Inside the pen are two Jetstream pens, one red and one black and both 0.5 and a mechanical pencil that is also 0.5. There is no eraser included with the pen. While I normally find on-pencil erasers inadequate, I thought I’d point it out.

uniball jetstream f*series multipen

The ink is super slick but the fine point and whatever hoodoo magic Uniball worked, the inks dry quickly, even for this messy overwriting lefty.

To be honest, I think the Uniball Jetsrteam perform best on cheap office papers, legal pads and copy paper. I think its also writes extrememly well with little showthrough on the thin paper in most Moleskines. Its the perfect budget tool for the office for this reason where you may not always get the option to choose high quality papers for notetaking.

There are lower-priced Jetstream multipens available in both 0.5 and 0.7 widths with erasers and soft grip areas but I chose this one for its good looks. I have a Pilot Opt Mechanical Pencil in Stardust Blue that compliments the Jestream F* nicely.

Additional reading:

The Pen Addict reviews:

 

In feature

We Are What We Do (and sometimes even what we give away)

Author AnaPosted on

Action paper goods

The fine folks at We Are What We Do sent me some of their products to sample. They are a non-profit company whose goal is to fund school and community projects. They sent me a medium-sized Action Notebook, a large-sized Action Notebook, an Action Diary for the 2011/12 Academic Year (almost too late but nice to see the size, format and design) and a set of Action Bookmarks.

Action Diary cover

The Action Diary is a small pocket-sized book at just 4.125″ x 5.875″ with a perfect binding and a contrasting (this book had purple) satin ribbon bookmark with a sealed edge.

Interior of Action DiaryAction Diary, interior

Inside the book is heavy white stock (my husband says its at least 80lb text but probably more like 100lb text weight). On the lefthand pages are actions in a usable note-taking space and on the righthand page is a week-at-a-glance calendar. In the back of the book is an Action Tracker where you can check off any action you may have undertaken from saying thanks to  taking public transportation. Its inspiring without being too preachy.

P7021744

In the ink tests, the heavyweight stock held up to all sorts of pens without even a smidgen of showthrough. Only a Sharpie (or in my case, a China-acquired Zebra version of a Sharpie) caused any bleed or showthrough.

P7021747

From the reverse, only a few specks from the “Sharpie” showed through. Everything else didn’t leave even a visible mark.

Action Bookmarks

The Action Bookmarks is a set of six paper bookmarks with spaces on the back to note comments and a rating on a book before “recycling” it to a friend.

Action bookmark, in action

The bookmarks have a die cut notch in the top to hold on to your page. They are inexpensive, colorful and clever. I may have to order several sets to give to all my bookworm friends for the holidays.

Action Notebook, interior

The Action Notebooks feature the same heavy-duty paperstock as the diary and “action items” in the form of section dividers. The lines on the paper are 6mm and, after each action item page, the lines change color to coordinate with the divider page. The large notebook is 9.75″ x 6.875″ and the medium notebook is 6.875″ x 5″ and each feature a contrasting ribbon bookmark as well.

I am going to give these fabulous notebooks away to a lucky reader (or two). Package one will be the large notebook, package two will be the smaller notebook and bookmarks. Leave a comment below and tell me which notebook you want and what action you plan to take to make your world a better place.

FINE PRINT: All entries must be submitted by midnight CST on Monday, July 9, 2012. All entries must be submitted at wellappointeddesk.com, not Twitter, Tumblr or Facebook, okay? Winners will be announced on Tuesday. Winners will be select by random number generator. Please include your email address in the comment form so that I can contact you if you win. I will not save email addresses or sell them to anyone — pinky swear. Shipping via USPS first class is covered. Additional shipping options or insurance will have to be paid by the winner. We are generous but we’re not made of money.