Job Searches

Lesson 7: Follow up

Your job in getting a job does not end with the interview. If you follow up and follow through, chances are you will GET that dream job!

How to follow up

Thank you notes
So, you passed the initial Interview – so just wait for the call right? WRONG. Don’t lose the momentum.

Immediately write a thank you note and send it, or hand deliver it in person (even better). This gives you an opportunity to show your business acumen, tact, social skills, and more importantly, gives you another chance to say that great line you thought of after the interview. It also allows you to add anything else you feel might be important, or that was missed in the initial interview. This is a great idea to use when you got along great with one person and not another. Many of my former students have used this technique to help land them their dream job – they proved to the potential employer they were willing to go that extra step even before a position was offered! By the way – the personal touch (hand delivery) was about 90% more effective than the regular email/mail/fax route. The students were again a visual presence –an added advantage.

Follow up call
The Thank you note does NOT take the place of a follow up call though. At the end of your interview you should have a time frame – they are making a decision in a week; they won’t be finished interviewing for another two weeks; it still has to pass through a manager who’s on vacation at the moment; etc. So, if the decision is within a week, your follow up must be in a week; in two weeks, you wait two weeks; you get the idea.

A particular contract appealed to me, and my info via email was sent as requested. I received a favourable reply that interviews would be scheduled for a particular Thurs/Fri. So I waited, no call/email. Not having any other contact except for email – I emailed again. Well, it turns out they forgot to let me know what time they had decided to give me! Then I received the wrong address (but correct business name)! (Good thing I always plan to arrive early – I did find the correct place). Turns out I was given the contract on the spot – and they have been a faithful client of mine for almost 2 years now.

So calling is a great way to keep in contact.

When NOT to call? If they say two weeks, WAIT two weeks. Other than that, all they will do is hang up on you, which is doubtful. Remember, even if you are not a candidate, you (or someone you know) are still a potential client or customer, so if they do treat you rudely, how will they treat you as an employee?

Your call was not what you wanted to hear.
You didn’t get the job. Don’t pout, don’t go over why you’d be perfect. If you are on the phone with them, ask them why, how can you improve. Often you’re told that another candidate was just a better fit – ask HOW they were a better fit, so that you can improve – always ensure you add this last part in so as not to sound whiny or put them on the defensive. Turn the negative into the positive – you had an interview, and hopefully some feedback on how to improve.

1  2  3  4