So you finally get an interview!!! Now you are asking yourself: “What the hell do I tell these people?” Great question!!
The first thing we have to do in an interview situation is research. How can you tell someone how you fit their company’s needs without knowing anything about them? It’s a tough nut to crack if don’t have experience in that industry.
Use the web to find news articles about that industry or try www.hoovers.com or www.wikipedia.com for company history, description, annual sales, and size.
This will give you an overview of the company. Hiring managers do take offense when you don’t lift a finger to find out something about their world. They have spent 10 minutes reading about your life post high school and also took roughly an hour out of their time to speak to you. So, be courteous and research this place that supports her or his family!!
Monday, September 14, 2009
Interview Follow Up - Thank You Letter with Objectives
Next Steps...
It is so awkward when you reach the end of the interview and there is dead air moment. To counter this awkwardness, keep the energy up and ask about next steps.
Ask if there is anything you can provide the manager after the interview. Now this doesn’t have to be just references, this could be samples of work, references, or even a plan of action.
Write a Thank You letter
To even make this happen, you need to get a business card from the hiring manager. And while you are at it, get the contact information of the person who contacted you originally for the job. Whether it’s the office manager, an HR person, or whoever made the connection so you could have the interview. It’s important to follow up these folks also to share your enthusiasm about the potential position.
When you leave the interview, take note on what were the important questions that the manager asked and also the problems that needed to be solved. These are the things that need to be addressed in the letter. Please, please, please do not use phrases like; “I really believe the culture and the environment are a true fit for me.” STOP making the Thank You letter a Thank I letter.
First, address the fact the manager took time out of their day to speak with you. Show some admiration for what they do!
Second, address what you found interesting about the team or company.
Third, address what you could do to make a positive impact at the company. Do not use generic filler language!
Create specific tasks based off you conversation with the manager.
Good luck and GO GET ‘EM!!
It is so awkward when you reach the end of the interview and there is dead air moment. To counter this awkwardness, keep the energy up and ask about next steps.
Ask if there is anything you can provide the manager after the interview. Now this doesn’t have to be just references, this could be samples of work, references, or even a plan of action.
Write a Thank You letter
To even make this happen, you need to get a business card from the hiring manager. And while you are at it, get the contact information of the person who contacted you originally for the job. Whether it’s the office manager, an HR person, or whoever made the connection so you could have the interview. It’s important to follow up these folks also to share your enthusiasm about the potential position.
When you leave the interview, take note on what were the important questions that the manager asked and also the problems that needed to be solved. These are the things that need to be addressed in the letter. Please, please, please do not use phrases like; “I really believe the culture and the environment are a true fit for me.” STOP making the Thank You letter a Thank I letter.
First, address the fact the manager took time out of their day to speak with you. Show some admiration for what they do!
Second, address what you found interesting about the team or company.
Third, address what you could do to make a positive impact at the company. Do not use generic filler language!
Create specific tasks based off you conversation with the manager.
Good luck and GO GET ‘EM!!
Questions to Ask During an Interview
Questions to Ask During an Interview
By asking a few key questions, you can gain knowledge of the job, what you need to do to be considered successful, and what the hot buttons are for this manager to hire you.
Here are some basic questions to ask:
-How can I make a positive impact on your team in the first month?
-What would you expect me to accomplish in the first 3 months on the job?
-What do you think will be the most unique and challenging thing for me to learn or understand?
Simple and easy questions. These will make you look smart and show the employer that you have a sense of enthusiasm and are looking to succeed. By the way they answer these questions; you will be able to gauge how to relate your background.
So how do you relate your wonderful story to them? Well, it’s in detail with a sense of haste. We don’t have time for the extended jam session of your life. But the hiring manager is looking to see what experience you have that is relative to the open position. Guide this story to hit on the major points they mentioned when you ask your intriguing questions.
For those who don’t have much of a professional work history, look at your daily functions with value. Many entry level candidates devalue their everyday chores and tasks. When asked about your work experience or skills, you blank out and tell them that you haven’t worked and spent time concentrating on your schooling. That’s it. Tell them how you approach your class work and your social life. Even if the manager is in their 60s they wouldn’t mind hearing how it was back in the college days. Keep the scenarios serious and on track with what the duties of the potential position will be, this will give you a fighting chance.
By asking a few key questions, you can gain knowledge of the job, what you need to do to be considered successful, and what the hot buttons are for this manager to hire you.
Here are some basic questions to ask:
-How can I make a positive impact on your team in the first month?
-What would you expect me to accomplish in the first 3 months on the job?
-What do you think will be the most unique and challenging thing for me to learn or understand?
Simple and easy questions. These will make you look smart and show the employer that you have a sense of enthusiasm and are looking to succeed. By the way they answer these questions; you will be able to gauge how to relate your background.
So how do you relate your wonderful story to them? Well, it’s in detail with a sense of haste. We don’t have time for the extended jam session of your life. But the hiring manager is looking to see what experience you have that is relative to the open position. Guide this story to hit on the major points they mentioned when you ask your intriguing questions.
For those who don’t have much of a professional work history, look at your daily functions with value. Many entry level candidates devalue their everyday chores and tasks. When asked about your work experience or skills, you blank out and tell them that you haven’t worked and spent time concentrating on your schooling. That’s it. Tell them how you approach your class work and your social life. Even if the manager is in their 60s they wouldn’t mind hearing how it was back in the college days. Keep the scenarios serious and on track with what the duties of the potential position will be, this will give you a fighting chance.
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