When writing thank-you notes, there may come a time when you spell a word wrong or want to change a word.
With handwritten notes, you have a choice to make. Should you start over or cross it out?
The answer depends on your situation.
Start Over When…
- If it is a thank you note, you are writing after having a job interview. The thank you note could determine if you get another interview or the job. Make sure your thank-you note looks professional. No crossing out!
- The recipient is not someone you know well. You want to make a good impression!
- The person may put the thank you note on display. This could be if you give a thank you note to a co-worker. Some of my co-workers display any note they are given. Other co-workers may read your card. It is better to start over than to become known as the messy writer in your office.
- You have several cross-outs in the same note. One or two is okay, but if your thank you note is only three sentences, many cross-outs may come across as sloppy and like you didn’t care about what you were writing.
Cross it out when…
- The note is being sent to someone you know well. I do this when writing thank-you notes to my parents, grandma, or siblings. We know each other well and have written enough thank-you notes that a crossed-out word is okay. They are likely not judging your penmanship.
- It’s your last thank you note card, and it’s not for a job interview. If you don’t have a blank card to start over with, keep going. Most people are forgiving and will be thrilled to receive a thank you note in the mail.
- You could also download and print a PDF thank-you card as a replacement.
If you like everything to be neat, then feel free to start over in any situation.
