Post Interview Activities - 1
Following you interview there are a few possibilities that will follow. One is certain – you need to write thank you notes to all those you interviewed with. Do not skip this step. However, there are some other possibilities including being turned down for the job, receiving an offer that doesn’t meet your needs, or landing the job. In all cases, you should be prepared for the next step and act accordingly.
Interview Evaluation Form
Date: ___________________
Company: _____________________
Position: ____________________
Interviewer: ____________________
Thank you note: [ ] Yes [ ] No
1. Topics discussed & difficult questions asked.
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2. Things that went well.
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• ______________________________________________________________________________________
• ______________________________________________________________________________________
3. Things that did not go well.
• ______________________________________________________________________________________
• ______________________________________________________________________________________
• ______________________________________________________________________________________
• ______________________________________________________________________________________
4. Things you need to improve on.
• ______________________________________________________________________________________
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5. Things you need to follow-up on.
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6. Your follow-up plan
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Thank You Notes
The thank you note can be a critical piece of your job hunting. Several candidates that were on the border between getting the job and not in the employer’s eyes got the job because of the thank you note. If the company contacted you through email, then send your note through email. If the company contacted you through more traditional methods, then snail mail is suggested. Either way it should always be typed. Handwritten notes are appropriate for others in the office that helped you such as the receptionist, assistant, etc.
A good thank you note will include:
• Thank the person for the opportunity to interview with the company
• Recap some of the conversational highlights
• Clarify any information you needed to check on for the interviewer
Sample Thank-you Note
(Your Name)
(Your Address)
(Your City, State, Zip Code)
(Your Phone with Area Code)
(Your Email Address)
(Date)
(Interviewer’s Name)
(Interviewer’s Title)
(Interviewer’s Organization)
(Interviewer’s Address)
(Interviewer’s City, State, Zip Code)
Dear Mr. / Mrs. (Interviewer’s Last Name):
It was very enjoyable to speak with you about the assistant account executive position at the Smith Agency. The job, as you presented it, seems to be a very good match for my skills and interests. The creative approach to account management that you described confirmed my desire to work with you. In addition to my enthusiasm, I will bring to the position strong writing skills, assertiveness, and the ability to encourage others to work cooperatively with the department. My artistic background will help me to work with artists on staff and provide me with an understanding of the visual aspects of our work.
I understand your need for administrative support. My detail orientation and organizational skills will help to free you to deal with larger issues. I neglected to mention during my interview that I had worked for two summers as a temporary office worker. This experience helped me to develop my secretarial and clerical skills.
I appreciate the time you took to interview me. I am very interested in working for you and look forward to hearing from you about this position.
Sincerely,
(Your Signature)
(Your Typed Name)
Post Interview Activities - 2
Following you interview there are a few possibilities that will follow. One is certain – you need to write thank you notes to all those you interviewed with. Do not skip this step. However, there are some other possibilities including being turned down for the job, receiving an offer that doesn’t meet your needs, or landing the job. In all cases, you should be prepared for the next step and act accordingly.
You Didn’t Get the Job – Handling Rejection
More than likely you will have to deal with not getting a job you interview for. It is likely to happen, so plan on it so that you won't be disappointed. Even if you fast and pray and it doesn't come through, don't get angry with the Lord - He knows your wants and needs and you need to trust Him. There are countless individuals who desired a job very badly, interviewed, and didn't get the job; only to be offered a job later that was a better fit and more desirable position. So, trust in the Lord. Consider the following excerpts from a press release that includes comments from Gayleen Baxter, Managing Director (MD) of Kelly on job rejection:
Job candidates must learn to deal with rejection - and fast - because it is today's recruitment norm. Only at senior levels are shortlists kept to just two names. In most employment grades even total adherence to job specifications will result in a shortlist of about five promising candidates.
'Simple arithmetic,' says Baxter, 'indicates 80% of candidates will have to cope with feelings of rejection.' The way to cope, she believes, is to learn from the process and take active steps to improve your chances next time. She suggests a simple checklist covering items such as:
1. Personal appearance. Was it professional and businesslike? Did it strike the wrong note with the Interviewer?
2. Was the resume well received?
3. Were education qualifications or previous experience an issue?
4. Did you fluff any questions? Were you unprepared? Did you handle questions confidently and provide relevant
information?
5. When it was your turn to ask questions, did you raise the wrong issues or ask them in an order that cast doubt on personal priorities?
Says Baxter: 'Candidates should objectively assess their performance. Asking an interviewer straight away about promotion prospects and pay might strike a wrong note, whereas initial questions about opportunities for training and further development might create a better impression.'
The Kelly MD says it is important not to behave like a victim. Sitting around moping until the next interview is not good mental preparation. If the checklist indicates an area for improvement, then remedial action should be taken. This may mean taking a training course or even going to college or university.
Improving one's language skills might be indicated for those looking for careers in travel and tourism and naturally call centers. Alternatively, practical work experience might be needed.
Baxter adds: 'Often it is better to take a part-time job, even something way below your expectations. Stay active. It shows you are serious about the world of work.' It is@ up to candidates to decide action points. Asking an employer where you went wrong will not work. Concerns about legal action for failing to hire will result in a muted response at best.
Previously, rejection was most keenly felt by first-time entrants to the job market. Today joblessness and interview blues affect all age groups. Baxter believes activity is the best antidote at whatever age. Sometimes this leads young (or old) to try start-up entrepreneurship.
Susan Strayer, Assistant Director, Career Services, School of Professional Studies in Business and Education at the Johns Hopkins University and founder and President of University and Career Decisions provides a good deal of inspired advice at not giving up on the collegerecruiter.com website: http://www.collegerecruiter.com/pages/guestions/guestion233.php
Turning Down a Job Respectfully
You may run into one or more situations where you receive a job offer and it is not right for you for one reason or another. The pay may not be enough, the commute may be too long, or any other number of reasons. If after sincere prayer you feel inspired to turn the job down, then you must do so formally with a written letter. Explain, as appropriate, your reasons for turning the job down. You may find that the employer will come back with a revised offer. They may not. The key point is that you need to turn the job down respectfully and hope that such an action will reflect positively on you and that you will gain future consideration for other jobs. Here is an example of a letter that respectfully turns a job down:
Example
(Your Name)
(Your Address)
(Your City, State, Zip Code)
(Your Phone with Area Code)
(Your Email Address)
(Date)
(Interviewer’s Name)
(Interviewer’s Title)
(Interviewer’s Organization)
(Interviewer’s Address)
(Interviewer’s City, State, Zip Code)
Dear Mr. / Mrs. (Interviewer’s Last Name):
Thank you very much for you telephone call and letter offering me the position of Assistant Project Coordinator with the Citizens Network for Foreign Affairs. While I believe firmly in the mission of your organization and appreciate the challenging opportunity you offer, I have had another offer which I believe more closely matches my current career goals and interests. Therefore, although it was a difficult decision, as I explained when we spoke by phone this morning, I must decline your offer. I do appreciate all the courtesy and hospitality extended to me by your office, and I wish you well in your endeavors.
In the position I have accepted with Public Policy Watch, I will occasionally be on Capitol Hill to attend hearings and monitor legislation, so I hope we can get together again and talk about common interests.
Best regards,
(Your Signature)
(Your Printed Name)
