Job Interview Follow Up - 4 Things You Can't Afford to Forget
To Do
Transcript
Today, I want to talk to you about how to do job interview follow up, simply and effectively.
1) Start at the End of the Interview
Now, this starts in the the interview. So when you get to the end of the interview, you want to start the job interview follow up process then! That is the best time to do it.
You ask them, "How can I follow up with you about this? How and when?" You want to answer those two questions. Ask them, "When can I expect to hear from you about the job?" And, they'll give you a time frame.
Then you can ask, "If I haven't heard from you by then, can I follow up with you, and how would you like me to follow up with you?"
Stick with this schedule. If they say they're going to be interviewing for a couple more days, and then you can follow up after that, stick with that schedule. Do not go before that.
You want to make sure that you're building a relationship of trust, and part of that is doing as they tell you.
So, make sure you get a time frame out of them and how they want you to follow up with them.
Then, ask for their business card.
When you get out to your car, grab a pen and write down how they want you to follow up and when. Now, you have their business card, so you have their email, you have their cell phone and their business phone. Make sure that you follow up they way that they wanted to.
2) Send a Hand-Written Thank You Note
Number 2- That day that you have the interview, as soon as you get done, send a hand-written thank you note in the mail.
Go to the store, get a nice thank you note, hand write it, make sure that you express sincere appreciation for them taking the time to interview you and giving you the opportunity to work with them.
Then, express something about yourself. Say, "I look forward to working with your company" or "I feel like my skills will be very beneficial to your company in fulfilling their mission and values". Something like that. Something that will make you stick out in their mind.
You're just wanting to get back in front of them and get them thinking about you again.
3) Follow Up According to Schedule
Number 3 - Follow up by the schedule that they gave you. So, that business card that you wrote down the schedule on, make sure you follow up that way. This will avoid annoying him or her. And, it will also build that relationship of trust further.
It will show that you can be trusted, that you're reliable, that you follow instructions well, and that you show determination because you're following up.
4) Follow Up in Person
Number 4 - Now, lastly, follow up in person whenever possible.
Make sure that when you follow up in person that you're "dressed for success", that you have a smile on your face, that you are friendly and cordial.
Make sure that you shake their hand. Make sure that you keep building on that rapport and impression that you made in the interview.
Now, as you go in, say, "I just wanted to follow up with you according to the time frame you gave me. And, I wanted to ask have you made a decision about the job?" And, if they say, "No, we're still interviewing" or "No, we're still deciding", then follow up with that, say, "Are they going to do second interviews, or are you just going to make a decision about the job?"
If they say they're going to do second interviews, then you can say, "Well, would you mind, since I'm here, if we scheduled the second interview before I leave?" Then, you can schedule the second interview before you leave.
If they say, "We're just going to make a decision", then you can say, "Well, I hope that you strongly consider me. I feel like I would be a great asset to your company (or great contribution to your company) because of this, this, and this."
So, you're just reaffirming again, you're the right person for the job. And that's what you need to do. That's what job interview follow up is all about. You're getting back in front of them, showing them that you are the best person for the job!
Summary
So, how do you do job interview follow up effectively?
1- Start at the interview
2- Send a hand written thank you note
3- Follow up by the schedule that they give you, and
4- Do it in person whenever possible.
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