Some lessons that Mom taught us: Don't chew with your mouth open, sit up straight, and perhaps the single most valuable lesson to take us through all aspects of life? Always remember to say thank you. These two words have helped foster a sandbox-born friendship. If my best friend gets me a birthday gift, I mail her a thank you card. If she spots me for that weekend girls trip, I mail her a check along with a hand-written thank you card. To this day, my boyfriend remembers how polite I was on our very first date ("Thank you for pouring me my sixth glass of Sangria").

Former CFO of mediabistro.com and also my former boss, Kyle Crafton, appreciated the thank you card I sent to him after my first interview, so much that following the weeks I was hired, I noticed it pinned up by his desk.

Sure, expressing gratitude after that first interview may not be golden news to you, but a recent survey of employers conducted by Vault takes it one step further by saying that not only will a post-interview "thank you" set you apart from the next candidate, but it can potentially erase any negativity the interviewer had of you. So not all hope is lost if you forgot your interviewer's name, or stumbled in your words, or forgot to remove your lip ring. Just be sure to follow up with a super duper thank you note. However, if you royally screw up a first date, you'll need more than a card.

Thank you.