TURNING NO INTO YES PART 3

 

TURNING NO INTO YES

 

PART 3: AFTER THE INTERVIEW

 

Many people are under the misconception that once they have walked out of an interview the only thing left to do is sit back and wait for notification of the start date. They are wrong. How you follow up afterward can tell an employer a lot about the type of employee you would be and at this point, it is too late in the game to give them any reason to say no. So, unless during the interview you were offered a job on the spot, there’s still work to do.

 

The Review

 

Right after the interview, one of the best things you can do is to take a moment and review how well you think everything went.  Ask yourself the following questions and take note of your answers:

 

·        What went right during the interview? Do you believe you effectively presented your qualifications and skills?

 

·        What went wrong during the interview? Were there any awkward silences? Were there any questions you were unable to answer?

 

·        What questions were you asked? Were there any you were unprepared for? Are there any you wished you had answered differently?

 

·        Do you like the company? Is the work, pay, and schedule a good fit for your life?

 

Taking the time to answer these questions serves several purposes. First, knowing what went right, what went wrong, and what questions you were asked are all good notes to have for any future interviews. You can make sure you don’t repeat past mistakes and be prepared for future questions you may not have thought of otherwise. Second, taking a moment to really think about how you feel about the company could help you decide if you should accept when/if an offer is made. The hours they offer may not be a good fit for your household or the pay may not have been what you need. Consider these things before you say yes.

 

The Thank You Note

 

Thank you notes are often forgotten or deemed unnecessary. While not sending a thank you note won’t necessarily keep you from getting the position, it can set you apart from the other candidates. If you do decide to send one, and I strongly suggest you do, here are few tips to keep in mind:
·        A thank you email should be sent out within 24 hours of the interview. You can also follow up the email with a handwritten letter 2-3 days after the interview.

 

·        If you met with more than one person you should send each one a separate letter and don’t copy and paste. It is very likely that they will compare the two letters.

 

·        Use the thank you letter to address any questions you were unable to answer or forgot to ask.

 

·        Recap your strengths and reiterate your interest in the job.

 

·        As with your resume, please check, double check, and then triple check for any grammatical errors.

 

The Follow-Up

 

Before you walked out of the office you should have obtained the information needed regarding the follow up procedure.  You should know when to follow up, how to follow up, and to whom you need to follow up with.  Keep in mind that it is extremely important that you follow all directions. If you are told to follow up in a week, do not call the next day. If you are told to follow up by email, do not call. Continue to show them that you can follow simple instructions. Another point to remember is to do what you say. If you told them you would be providing further information (such as references) the next day, make sure that they receive them THE NEXT DAY.

 

Don’t forget to consider what resources you may already have at the company. Maybe you have a friend in human resources or management that could give the interviewer a good recommendation.  

 

Don’t Stop Looking

 

Do not stop looking. The job may be offered to someone else or there may be a better job out there for you. Until you accept a position, continue filling out applications, keep going on interviews, and don’t stop sending out your resume. That way, if you do not get the job you haven’t fallen behind on the hunt.

 

If you do find out that you did not get the position,  REMAIN PROFESSIONAL. Do not risk burning your bridges by being rude or unprofessional. There may be another job opening down the line that they may consider you for or the candidate that was chosen may not work out. If it’s a company you really have a desire to work for, check in every few months to see if any positions have become available.

 

Looking for work can be stressful. Even more so when you have made mistakes in the past that employers can hold against you. Being prepared every step of the way throughout your search is a great way to stand out and get their attention. We at Nolef Turns Inc., hope that you were able to find some helpful tips to help you get your yes.
 

 


Copyright © 2017 Nolef Turns, Inc. All rights reserved.

TURNING NO INTO YES PART TWO: THE INTERVIEW

TURNING NO INTO YES

PART TWO: THE INTERVIEW

 You got the call to come in and interview. You have impressed them on paper and now it’s time to do the same in person. Interviewing can be a stressful experience but with a few preparations and tips you can walk into any interview confident and prepared. 

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APPEARANCE

Your appearance at an interview can be a deciding factor as to whether you get the job. When you are employed by a company you represent that company. How you look reflects how they look. Because of this, employers hire individuals they know will dress professionally and make their company look good.  The question is, how do you show them that you are that person?

·        Your attire should be neat, clean and matching. Avoid showing up with wrinkles or holes in your clothing.

·        Clothing should fit. They should not be excessively tight or loose (“low-riding”)
·        No chips in your nail polish. This may seem small but employers could view it as a sign of someone that lacks attention to detail. 

·        Hair may be a form of expression but for the interview, try to keep it simple and avoid bright colors or loud styles. You want your qualifications to be the center of attention; NOT your hair. 

If you need assistance with obtaining proper attire, contact the Nolef Turns Inc. during business hours and ask about our Clothing Closet.

PREPARATION

The only thing worse than arriving at an interview with unprofessional attire is arriving unprepared. The simplest way to avoid this is to prepare the DAY before.  Notice it says day before and not night before? That’s because sometimes the night before is a little too late. Think about this, let’s say you purchased a new shirt specifically for the interview. You wait until the night before to try it on and realize the shirt is a size to small. It’s after closing time for the mall and your interview is at 9 am the next morning – same time that the mall opens. Your options are limited at this point. The latest you should be preparing your interview outfit is the day before. It is also a good idea to gas the car the day before to avoid having to make a morning stop.

Clothes are picked out, ironed, and ready to go. Gas is in the car. Now, do you have all of your paperwork together that you have been asked to bring? This may include your driver’s license, social security card, or any certifications or professional licenses you may have. It is also a good practice to take a copy of your resume with you to have on hand.

If you haven’t done so already, research the company you will be interviewing with. This will give you an idea of what may be expected of you if offered a position. You should also research possible interview questions and practice them in the mirror or with a friend. 

ARRIVAL

Do not show up late. Do not show up late.
DO NOT SHOW UP LATE.

This is a point that cannot be stressed enough. Being late to an interview tells the employer that the position they may be offering you is not a top priority. They will also be left wondering if being late is a habit of yours.

Fifteen minutes before the interview, you should be at the location and parking your car. This will give you a few moments to do a last-minute hair check, double check you have all paperwork together, and practice what you may want to say.  Before you exit your vehicle turn off your phone or leave it behind.

 Five minutes before the interview, you should be walking into the office.

FACE-TO-FACE

The moment is here… your chance to prove that you are the person for the job.  Greet the interviewer with a firm handshake and remember to smile as you greet them. A few tips to keep in mind throughout the interview:

·        Make eye contact.

·        Use appropriate and correct language. Avoid profanity, slang words, and improper grammar.

·        Conversate but don’t take over. Let the interviewer stay in control of the interview and allow them to lead the conversation. Keep personal talk to a minimum.

·        Listen. Don’t make the interview repeat themselves too often. Stay focused on the topic at hand to avoid missing any important information or questions.

The Final Five

You’re down to the last moments of the interview and you want to leave a lasting impression.

1.      Ask questions. Try to avoid questions that can be answered by visiting the company website.

2.      Summarize your skills and reinstate your interest in the job. Leave out statements about how much you need the job or that you are willing to do anything.

3.      Ask about the next step in the hiring process and if you should follow up. If you can follow up, make sure you write down the contact person’s name and contact information.

4.      Ask the interviewer if any additional information from your end is needed.

5.      Stand after the interviewer has stood and thank him or her for their time.

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The most important thing to remember throughout the interview is to be confident. Employers desire employees that are sure of themselves and the job they are doing. If you start doubting yourself keep in mind that they called you.

The interview is out of the way but you haven’t finished yet. Come back next week to read the final installment of Turning No into Yes and learn what steps to take next.              

For information about our Clothing Closet contact us at 804.918.6470 or visit our website at www.nolefturns.org

Copyright © 2017 Nolef Turns, Inc. All rights reserved.

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