Never walk away from an interview telling yourself that the whole job thing is now out of your hands. That's how unsuccessful job hunters think.
What takes place after the first interview -- when the ranking of candidates takes place -- decides who has the inside track on winning the job.
Your follow-up may be the tiebreaker with the job going to you over other promising candidates. And even if the employer already planned to offer you the job, your follow-up creates goodwill that can silken your success when you join the company.
Follow up vigorously. It's your caring that counts.
What takes place after the first interview -- when the ranking of candidates takes place -- decides who has the inside track on winning the job.
Your follow-up may be the tiebreaker with the job going to you over other promising candidates. And even if the employer already planned to offer you the job, your follow-up creates goodwill that can silken your success when you join the company.
Follow up vigorously. It's your caring that counts.
I like using email to follow-up because it saves time and gets through right away. Nothing too long, just a short paragraph that re-emphasizes your interest in the job.
One more point: Remember to complete your subject line with sales pizzazz: "Thank you for reviewing my qualifications: Sales, 6 yrs, autos."
A week or two after I send a follow-up email, I also use the phone to follow-up. Anyone can send email because it's easy, but picking up the phone and calling takes effort, and that type of follow-up sends a good message to prospective employers that you are genuinely interested in the job and are not lazy.
Letters
Write a thank-you letter for the interview within 24 hours to strengthen the good impression you made in the interview. You need not stop with one letter -- if the employer has left you dangling in the wind waiting for a hiring decision then you need to limit your communication to phone calls.
Telephone calls
If you call interviewers too often now, you waste their prime work hours, annoy them, and probably jeopardize your opportunity for the job. Space your follow-up calls -- once a month is probably plenty.
Once upon a time, all that job callers had to worry about was getting past gatekeeper assistants. Now, voice mail has joined human gatekeepers in throwing road blocks in front of job seekers who try to set up interviews or follow-up interviews.
The big voice mail question for job seekers is -- Should I leave a message on voice mail? Opinions vary, but, as a practical matter, you may have to leave a message if you don't connect after the first few calls.
You won't get all your calls returned, but your chances improve when you say something interesting in a 30-second sound bite: "This is (name). I'm calling about the (job title or department) opening. After reflecting on some of the issues you mentioned during our meeting, I thought of a facet of one problem you might like to know (create intrigue). My number is ....
Opening the conversation
Here is a sprinkling of conversation starters:
Write a thank-you letter for the interview within 24 hours to strengthen the good impression you made in the interview. You need not stop with one letter -- if the employer has left you dangling in the wind waiting for a hiring decision then you need to limit your communication to phone calls.
Telephone calls
If you call interviewers too often now, you waste their prime work hours, annoy them, and probably jeopardize your opportunity for the job. Space your follow-up calls -- once a month is probably plenty.
Once upon a time, all that job callers had to worry about was getting past gatekeeper assistants. Now, voice mail has joined human gatekeepers in throwing road blocks in front of job seekers who try to set up interviews or follow-up interviews.
The big voice mail question for job seekers is -- Should I leave a message on voice mail? Opinions vary, but, as a practical matter, you may have to leave a message if you don't connect after the first few calls.
You won't get all your calls returned, but your chances improve when you say something interesting in a 30-second sound bite: "This is (name). I'm calling about the (job title or department) opening. After reflecting on some of the issues you mentioned during our meeting, I thought of a facet of one problem you might like to know (create intrigue). My number is ....
Opening the conversation
Here is a sprinkling of conversation starters:
- Is this a good time to talk?
- I think you'll be interested to know ....
- I understand you're still reviewing many applications.
- I forgot to go into the key details of (something mentioned during the interview) that might be important to you.
- While listening to you, I neglected to mention my experience in (function). It was too important for me to leave out, since the position calls for substantial background in that area.
Keeping the conversational ball rolling
Try these approaches to maintain the conversation:
- Remind the interviewer why you're so special, what makes you unique (exceptional work in a specific situation, innovating): "Let me review what I'm offering you that's special."
- Establish a common denominator or business philosophy: "It seems like we both approach work in the (name of) industry from the same angle."
- Note a shared interest that benefits the employer: "I found a new Web site that may interest you -- it's XYZ. It reports on the news items we discussed . . . Would you like the URL?"
If you follow and practice everything I have taught you in the past seven days over the course of a month, I can guarantee you'll impress your interviewers and start getting more job offers.
If you're still struggling with what to say to interviewers when they ask you all those questions, I highly recommend the Complete Interview Answer Guide.
It has helped thousands of job seekers just like you lock in a high paying job offer. It helped them overcome their weaknesses and as a result they gave outstanding interview performances that sealed the deal for them. Try it today!
Talk soon,
If you're still struggling with what to say to interviewers when they ask you all those questions, I highly recommend the Complete Interview Answer Guide.
It has helped thousands of job seekers just like you lock in a high paying job offer. It helped them overcome their weaknesses and as a result they gave outstanding interview performances that sealed the deal for them. Try it today!
Talk soon,
-Don to Samson
Hakuna maoni:
Chapisha Maoni