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Follow-up thank-you letters -- handwritten, typed, US-mailed and e-mailed -- are described by some hiring managers and recruiters as a missing link during the hiring process. Many un-coached, undisciplined or simply unknowing job-hunters derail or, at the least, do harm to their candidacy by failing to complete the appropriate follow-up procedure.

A contemporary follow-up thank-you letter boasts several key elements, including:

Introduction -- thanking the interviewer for the time spent together.

Recap -- recapping key points of the interview, reinforcing the candidate's ability to provide value and meet requirements of the job.

Bridging Gaps -- closing the deal in areas that have appeared questionable in yesterday's interview. Assuring the interviewer that they have what it takes to meet particular requirements that may have, in the interview, not been communicated well. Illustrating, through concrete examples, how they meet those needs.

What if the job hunter needs another weapon in his/her job search arensal? What if this weapon needs a sharper edge, a more gutsy and marketing-focused approach? In such instances, the "Why I Should Be Hired" letter is applied. The key elements of this format include:

Headline communicating the name of the position to which the candidate is applying followed by the statement: "Why I Should Be Hired by XYZ Company."

Bold opening statement, such as, "In 1999, I achieved 115% of quota and ranked #1 in sales at ABC Company, and now I'd like to do the same thing for YOUR Company."

Pithy second paragraph that speaks to the hiring company's needs and boasts a tone that says this person already is part of the team. A starting phrase might be, "You will have a sales representative ..." and closing language might conclude, "By Hiring me ..."

A series of selected achievements relating directly to the hiring company's needs and bulleted/bold-faced for emphasis. Each and every selected achievement should demonstrate its measurability to create more "Pow."

Closing paragraph (or two) that drives the point home that this is the best person for the job, summarizes the candidate's years of experience and qualifications for the position and describes his/her exemplary work ethic, drive and determination.

The "Why I Should Be Hired" letter may also be considered a follow-up to the contemporary follow-up thank-you letter. In some cases, a candidate may have enough insight into the hiring process and hiring parties (particularly when working with a recruiter) that he/she may sense that a well-timed "Why I Should Be Hired" letter could be the strategic tool that positions him/her as the #1 Candidate.