TURNING NO INTO YES PART 3

TURNING NO INTO YES

PART 3: AFTER THE INTERVIEW

Many people are under the misconception that once they have walked out of an interview the only thing left to do is sit back and wait for notification of the start date. They are wrong. How you follow up afterward can tell an employer a lot about the type of employee you would be and at this point, it is too late in the game to give them any reason to say no. So, unless during the interview you were offered a job on the spot, there's still work to do.

The Review

Right after the interview, one of the best things you can do is to take a moment and review how well you think everything went.  Ask yourself the following questions and take note of your answers:

·        What went right during the interview? Do you believe you effectively presented your qualifications and skills?

·        What went wrong during the interview? Were there any awkward silences? Were there any questions you were unable to answer?

·        What questions were you asked? Were there any you were unprepared for? Are there any you wished you had answered differently?

·        Do you like the company? Is the work, pay, and schedule a good fit for your life?

Taking the time to answer these questions serves several purposes. First, knowing what went right, what went wrong, and what questions you were asked are all good notes to have for any future interviews. You can make sure you don’t repeat past mistakes and be prepared for future questions you may not have thought of otherwise. Second, taking a moment to really think about how you feel about the company could help you decide if you should accept when/if an offer is made. The hours they offer may not be a good fit for your household or the pay may not have been what you need. Consider these things before you say yes.

The Thank You Note

Thank you notes are often forgotten or deemed unnecessary. While not sending a thank you note won't necessarily keep you from getting the position, it can set you apart from the other candidates. If you do decide to send one, and I strongly suggest you do, here are few tips to keep in mind:

·        A thank you email should be sent out within 24 hours of the interview. You can also follow up the email with a handwritten letter 2-3 days after the interview.

·        If you met with more than one person you should send each one a separate letter and don’t copy and paste. It is very likely that they will compare the two letters.

·        Use the thank you letter to address any questions you were unable to answer or forgot to ask.

·        Recap your strengths and reiterate your interest in the job.

·        As with your resume, please check, double check, and then triple check for any grammatical errors.

The Follow-Up

Before you walked out of the office you should have obtained the information needed regarding the follow up procedure.  You should know when to follow up, how to follow up, and to whom you need to follow up with.  Keep in mind that it is extremely important that you follow all directions. If you are told to follow up in a week, do not call the next day. If you are told to follow up by email, do not call. Continue to show them that you can follow simple instructions. Another point to remember is to do what you say. If you told them you would be providing further information (such as references) the next day, make sure that they receive them THE NEXT DAY.

Don't forget to consider what resources you may already have at the company. Maybe you have a friend in human resources or management that could give the interviewer a good recommendation.  

Don’t Stop Looking

Do not stop looking. The job may be offered to someone else or there may be a better job out there for you. Until you accept a position, continue filling out applications, keep going on interviews, and don't stop sending out your resume. That way, if you do not get the job you haven’t fallen behind on the hunt.

If you do find out that you did not get the position,  REMAIN PROFESSIONAL. Do not risk burning your bridges by being rude or unprofessional. There may be another job opening down the line that they may consider you for or the candidate that was chosen may not work out. If it’s a company you really have a desire to work for, check in every few months to see if any positions have become available.

Looking for work can be stressful. Even more so when you have made mistakes in the past that employers can hold against you. Being prepared every step of the way throughout your search is a great way to stand out and get their attention. We at Nolef Turns Inc., hope that you were able to find some helpful tips to help you get your yes.