Our last blog entry had
tips you can use during an interview, but what else you can do to increase your
chances? Here is are a few
specific things you can take both before and after that interview – steps you can
take to make sure that you present yourself well and have a good follow-up
afterwards.
• Preparation: Make yourself an “interview kit” that
you can just grab on your way out the door. Prepare some business cards, extra copies of your resume,
paper and pen, and a “cheat sheet” of interview tips, so you feel as
comfortable and relaxed as possible.
If you are unsure about the dress/culture at the company, make sure to
ask your recruiter for advice.
• During the interview, share
your business cards with all interviewers, and do your best to get business
cards of all the people you meet.
If you cannot get a card, then try to write down their names (with
proper spelling). Many people
appreciate it if you make sure you get their name right, so it shouldn’t seem
awkward to ask. If you are unable
to do so, then check with your recruiter to find out who would be the proper
person for you to contact after the interview.
• Following up and thanking
the team: A follow-up email is a
vital and often-neglected part of the interview process. Make sure that you take the time to
send a thank you to the person/people at the company who took the time to meet
with you.
•
Why is this so important?
Follow-ups are more than just a courtesy. You can only gain by adding this step; there is really no
downside to it. A follow-up
will give you the chance to ask questions you may not have thought of during
your interview, as well as show the company that you are interested in what
they do and would like to work for them.
And if you make a mistake during a technical interview and realize it
after you have left, a follow-up note can give you a chance to fix it and show
that you are knowledgeable in that area.
Most importantly, it will keep the lines of communication between you
and the company open.
• To
whom should I send it? Send your
follow-up to the main person/people who you spoke with. You do not need to send one to everyone
you met if you were interviewed by a large team. If you are unsure of who the right person is, you can always
check with your recruiter.
•
When should I send it? You should
send your email the day following the interview. This will give you some time to think carefully about what
you want to say, and also make it a timely response.
•
What should I write? Send a
simple, concise note thanking the person/people for their time. Make sure to
carefully proofread it for errors before sending it. (Craft a template for these emails so you can save time,
have a good format, and quickly customize them for each interview). Try to make the note memorable,
emphasizing what about their company excites you, what more you would like to
learn about the position, and what you can contribute if you are part of their
team.
Keeping the lines of
communication open in this way, as well as showing your appreciation for their
time and interest in the position will help you make solid contacts and make
you a more memorable candidate.
We have heard from many
candidates who think that no-one will read their thank you notes and that they
do not matter. Consider this: a
thank-you note never hurts. If
only 1 out of 10 senior people reads it, it may be a huge opportunity for
you. If 1 out of 10 is
disappointed in not receiving one, it is your loss. And we know that more that 1 in 10 will take a look!
No comments:
Post a Comment