When two candidates are equally qualified, this is key for landing the job

In a perfect world, you'd get instant feedback from hiring managers about why you did or did not land a given job. Of course, anyone who has ever applied to a job knows that's rarely the case. Luckily, there is a way to get ahead of the guessing game, be set up for success before you even ever hit the apply button and land that dream job: Chegg Life's new 3,2,1 Hired video series. 

In our inaugural episode, career coach Caitlin Kenyon reveals a bit of the mystery behind what differentiates candidates who are all seemingly a good fit for the job, and it's so simple: Sending a thank you note. 

Kenyon, who shares resumes from three candidates all vying for the same position as an HR specialist, begins by offering helpful resume building tips , including formatting best practices and things to include when you don't have a ton of relevant experience. 

Related: So you interviewed for a job and got ghosted — here's what to do next

As shown in the video, after eliminating one candidate off the bat, Kenyon talks through what happens when the two remaining candidates are invited to interview in person for the job. Both seem to be a great fit,  but in the end, the job goes to the person who sent a thank you email shortly after meeting with the hiring manager.

But it's not the only thing. Kenyon says that one candidate came in prepared and showed enthusiasm about the specific role. So, while on paper it seemed like a toss up, one interviewee was able to get ahead with some practiced interviewing skills. 

In the end, there are plenty of factors that contribute to whether or not a person gets a job. But whipping up a quick thank you takes minimal effort and could just yield major results. Seems worth it, no? 

For more tips, be sure to check out the whole video .

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