Conducting an effective job search is something we all can appreciate the importance of. Here are some practical job interview tips that will make you stand out.
Never put all your eggs in one basket.
This adage applies to any effective job search strategy.
It’s okay to have a first choice, but you still need to be out there interviewing for other positions and/or with other companies.
Here are a few additional job interview tips:
- When the interviewer asks you if you have questions, ask them what the timeline is for their process. Listen very carefully to their answer, and as soon as the job interview is over, write down some notes about it. If they say you can expect to hear back in two weeks, don’t be afraid to ask if you can call them in two and a half weeks to check in. This way you have a one-on-one connection, and you can feel comfortable about reaching out if you don’t hear back from them.
- Listening and asking questions is very important because there is no hard and fast rule about when to follow up after a job interview. Find out how eager they are to fill the position you are interviewing for. How fast do they want or need it filled? Set the tone of your follow up based on what you hear from them, i.e., meet their energy around that so you don’t seem pushy if they’re not in a hurry to hire someone. But if they are in a hurry, that gives you the green light to pick up your follow up speed.
- Assume the timeline they give you is going to be slower than what they say. The reason for this is that the interviewer is most likely overwhelmed because they are missing someone in their department and therefore have a heavier workload— along with the time required to conduct interviews. So,if they tell you to expect to hear back in a week, expect to hear back in two weeks. If they tell you it’s going to be four weeks, expect it to be nine. Just assume this from the beginning so you don’t imagine the worst when you don’t hear back from them within the time frame they give you.
- Don’t forget about the old school method of sending a handwritten note after an interview! This is a lovely way to check in. You can still send an electronic email thank you. Then after two weeks, check in with a handwritten note.
- Another effective way of checking in is to leave a voicemail. Do it strategically in the evening when you know they aren’t going to be there. Acknowledge how busy they must be. This lets them know you understand their world. Then tell them you are calling to check in and let them know you’ve been thinking about the company.
- It’s important to frame the message in terms of what you are excited to contribute rather than making it about you. So, mention that you are looking forward to hearing back from them because you have some great ideas, and you can’t wait to contribute. Think about what valuable contributions you have for them and the company. Sometimes that enthusiasm will tip you over the edge.
I hope these tips will help you land your dream job!
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