This post is PART THREE of a series
If you have not read PART ONE, visit here
For PART TWO, visit here

PHEW…you survived the interview…now what?  YOU must stand out amongst the sea of applicants.  Even if you feel you did that during the interview…

You aren’t done yet!!

Follow up is one of the most important parts of this entire process.  It is not unusual for an interviewer to have a high number of interviews to conduct for one position.  If you think it’s an exhausting process for you, multiply that and think of what the interviewer is going through.  After a few interviews, everyone kind of runs together in their mind.  It doesn’t matter if you are the first or last person interviewed,

In the previous post, I mentioned having at least one question at the end of the interview.  A great question (if it wasn’t already covered) would be “How much longer do you anticipate it will be before you make a final decision?”  Some positions will require a 2nd interview.  If the time window is at least 3 days, make sure you get the correct spelling of the name of the person (or people) who interviewed you.  You can get this from the receptionist if you do not already have it.  Ask for their business card if you think they may have one (a fast food restaurant or small mom & pop store manager may not have one).

Upon returning home, get a Thank You card in the mail to the interviewer.   KISS – Keep It Super Simple.  Do not restate your qualifications.  Do not dazzle them with colorful pens or markers.  Just a simple “Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to interview me for the position of XYZ.  I look forward to hearing of your decision.”  Sign it with your full name and phone number.   If you have bad handwriting, print your name.   This one small step will make you stand out above the hundreds of other applicants.

I’ll never forget the ONE (yes – ONLY ONE) follow up card I got in the mail after a week long interviewing process.  Needless to say, that person got the job.

And again…just like before…call once a week to check and see if the position has been filled.

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Today is the first day of the rest of your life.
What will you do with it?

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This post is PART TWO of a series
If you have not read PART ONE, visit here

So…You’ve been called for an interview…now what?

CRUNCH TIME…if you haven’t already – find out as much as you can about the company. You want to be able to have an intelligent conversation about your potential job.

Think of the answers to the following questions:

1. Why do you want to work for XYZ company?
(Don’t ever say “I need money”. Think of a good reason.)

2. What are your strengths?
(Don’t brag too much here. Just list a couple strengths.)

3. What are your weaknesses?
(Don’t ever say “I have none”. NO ONE is perfect. This question is a classic interview test. Say things like “Some people think I’m a perfectionist” or “I am not comfortable asking for help, but am willing to accept it.”)

4. Do you have any more questions for me?
(Try to think of something…anything…to ask about the position)

Plan what you will wear to the interview ahead of time. You will want to be neatly groomed (ie: hair washed and combed, clothes freshly washed, teeth brushed, deodorant on, etc…) Don’t laugh. I used to be a human resource rep and you would be surprised at the number of people who don’t even appear to have combed their hair for an interview. An interviewer’s worst nightmare is trying to conduct an interview with a clearly qualified candidate who has bad breath or body odor. Before you get to the interview, suck on a mint or chew a piece of gum (GET RID OF IT BEFORE THE INTERVIEW. Don’t be sucking on a mint or chewing gum at the interview.)

On the flip side, DO NOT use perfume or cologne. I remember one time I interviewed this woman who posessed every qualification we wanted, however, after the excruciating interview, my co-workers told me they would QUIT if I hired this person. Her perfume was so overwhelming that we could taste it. The stench hung in the air for the rest of the day. People would walk into my office and ask what in the world that horrible smell was. The perfume probably smelled good in moderation, however, so many people have no clue what moderation means that it is safer to just shower, brush your teeth and put deodorant on and no other scents.  Not to mention, the scent of your perfume or cologne may be attached to memories of a terrible relationship for your interviewer and you just blew your interview.  You don’t want that to happen.

Keep these appearance tips in mind when preparing for your interview. No one expects you to look like a model, however, you can take steps to appear and smell neatly groomed.

When you are being interviewed, sit up straight but not rigid. Take a deep breath and think for a second or two before you answer.  Interviewers understand that you are nervous.  That’s ok.  Your answers and appearance are what matter at this point.

GOOD LUCK!!!

NEXT IN THE SERIES – You Survived the Interview, Now What?

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Today is the first day of the rest of your life.

What will you do with it?

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