Services
One-on-One Consultation
Powerful Presentations
Communicate Across Generations
Communication Skills
Gender Communication
Professional Image Development

Newsletter | Summer 2009 • Volume 17 • Issue 2

This issue's topic:

You’ve got a Job Interview …
NOW WHAT?

Dear Readers:

We all know this has been one of the worst times for employment in recent history. Millions of jobs are being lost each month, and while the economy may show some slight indications of turning around from time to time, it will still be a while before those millions who lost their jobs will be re-employed.

With so many people searching for jobs, the interview is more important than ever. We are devoting this issue of our newsletter to presenting yourself in a job interview (or how NOT to present yourself), and what to do after an interview.

Our guest columnists, Sonya Evanosky, Controller at HSBC Technology Services in Schaumburg, Lafayette Ford, Senior Vice President, Bank of America Merrill Lynch in Kansas City, and Chetan Ghai, Vice President, Solutions and Consulting, CCC Information Services in Chicago, provide some common sense but very important tips on following up after a job interview.

Pat Smith-Pierce offers information on the proper way to dress for an interview in these "business casual" days and the importance of a good handshake.

Finally, there is a somewhat "tongue-in-cheek" but real world example of what NOT to do or say in an interview.

Sincerely,

Dennis Hamilton
Editor

FOLLOWING UP AFTER THE INTERVIEW

Sonya Evanosky
Controller
HSBC Technology Services

In today’s struggling economy and high unemployment rate, you may find yourself in the position of looking for a job. You’ve polished off your resume and obtained an elusive interview, and you’re now preparing to write your thank you note to the interviewer. You may think that this last step is optional or unimportant, but it is a key opportunity to leave a positive impression of yourself.

When writing a thank you note, consider the following guidelines:

1. Send an e-mail or handwritten note – Whatever method you choose—an e-mail or handwritten note — be sure to send it within 1-2 days of the interview. In today’s fast-paced environment when hiring decisions may be made quickly, an e-mail thank you may be most appropriate. An e-mail can be delivered instantaneously, plus it provides an easy mechanism for the interviewer to follow up with you. Remember to use your personal e-mail account and not your existing employer’s!
2. Thank the interviewer for his or her time – As the organization is most likely understaffed (hence the job opening), it does take a lot of time away from normal work functions to interview a candidate. Thanking the interviewer for his or her time is courteous and important.
3. Restate how you believe you can contribute to the organization. Even though you may have already discussed your skills in the interview, reminding the interviewer of how you can add value and contribute to the company is essential. Additionally, it shows the interviewer that you are already willing to make a positive impact to the company and are not solely focused on what you will obtain from the job.
4. Advise how you can be contacted – State in the thank you note your preferred method of contact, such as phone or e-mail, and provide the appropriate numbers or addresses.

However, there are also things that you should not include in a thank you note:

1. Do not ask additional questions about the company or organization. If you have follow up questions, save these for a separate communication, such as the second interview or job offer discussions. The purpose of the thank you note is to thank the person for meeting with you—not for getting additional information from them.
2. Do not discuss personal job requirements. Stating that you need certain perks or considerations, such as medical benefits, vacation pay or a cell phone, is not appropriate at this time. Asking for these types of courtesies may be perceived as arrogant or assuming and may actually be a turn off to the interviewer. Save these points for further discussions or negotiating points later on in the interview process.

Next time you need to write a thank you note to an interviewer, follow these guidelines to ensure that the interviewer remembers you for the right reasons and not the wrong ones!

ADDITIONAL INTERVIEW TIPS

These tips are from Lafayette J. Ford, Senior Vice President, Bank of America Merrill Lynch in Kansas City.

• Follow up with a nice note of thanks. Express in that note that you would like to stay in contact from time to time. Also ask the interviewer if you can call at a later time for candid feedback – one especially wants that feedback if he was not selected for the job. This feedback will allow one to make adjustment for the next interview.
• If one has interviewed for a job, as opposed to networking, follow up persistently but always tactfully. Understand that the decision making process takes a while, especially in large organizations. One can gently push the process along by calling back to check on the progress of one's application.
• Ask each interviewer if there should be others inside the company or at another company that would be good for you to contact or network with.

The following tips are from Chetan Ghai, Vice President, Solutions and Consulting, CCC Information Services in Chicago.

1. Show interest, but be sure to reinforce that there are other opportunities (if applicable). It creates a sense of urgency on the side of the employer.
2. If a particular topic of interest was brought up (regardless of applicability to the actual job itself), be sure to include some further information in the email back.
3. I have interviewed probably 30 - 40 people in the last 18 months and not one has called me to clarify or further discuss the opportunity, even though I have made it clear it is acceptable to do so. If you have a legitimate reason for a follow-up and it's been offered, TAKE IT!

PRESENTING YOURSELF FOR AN INTERVIEW

Patricia Smith-Pierce
CEO and Founder
The Insight Communication Group

One of the questions I am most frequently asked concerns what to wear when going on an interview. As most companies are business casual these days, the question is a variant of “Do I wear a suit or can I wear business casual?”

I always respond that as you are not yet an employee of the company, you should present yourself to your best advantage and that means wearing a suit. As many outplacement professionals add, a suit is more professional and shows respect for the people and company with whom you are meeting. Thus while business casual is far more comfortable for most people, a suit is preferred.

That certainly worked for a man I met while sitting in the waiting area of one of my clients. Although the company is business casual, the man was dressed in a nice suit and tie, waiting to be interviewed for a position. I saw him a couple of weeks later and he made a point of saying hello. He reminded me we met while he was waiting to be interviewed. He said there were several candidates with similar backgrounds for the position. He was told, upon being offered the position, that his first impression was strongest because of his suit!

Some other tips I have gathered over the years include making sure your shoes are in good repair and polished. One executive I know says he always looks at a person’s shoes because how well someone maintains their shoes shows an attention to detail as well as pride in themselves.

One of the few times in a professional setting when we are encouraged to touch someone is in shaking hands. This is especially important in an interview. We shake hands to greet a person when we first encounter them to establish contact. However, the handshake should be firm! There is little worse in setting the tone for an initial encounter than to have a weak handshake, as it sends a negative message to the other person. Interviewers are looking for people who are confident of themselves and their abilities. A weak handshake sends the opposite message!

Everyone no doubt knows all of this and more. It’s using what we know to present ourselves to our advantage that matters, because perception IS reality. How we are perceived initially will have a large impact on how someone perceives us from that time on.

Often it is the little things that can make a difference! Putting yourself forward in the best light helps to differentiate you from other candidates, whether it be for a specific position or a project for a company.

HOW TO ELIMINATE YOURSELF IN THE JOB INTERVIEW

Dennis Hamilton
Consultant
The Insight Communication Group

Like the disclaimer in the Law and Order TV series, the following is fictional, although it is inspired by real world events.

At the first job interview…

Interviewer: Tell me a little bit about yourself.
Job Seeker: Well, I was born at a very young age in Oak Park Hospital. I went to grade school at Jefferson Elementary where I studied English, Social Studies, Arithmetic, and had one recess per day…
Interviewer: Zzzzzzzz.

• Lesson Learned: Don't mention irrelevant detail.

Interviewer: Tell me about your time at Acme Widgets.
Job Seeker: Boy, what a company! I've never seen such a bunch of bozos in my entire life. They couldn't make a decision if their lives depended on it. If their pants were on fire, they wouldn't know how to call the fire department…
Interviewer: NEXT!!

• Lesson Learned: Don't bad-mouth your former employer, even if it's all true. You'll look like a malcontent and no future employer wants one of those.

Interviewer: Do you have any questions?
Job Seeker: How much vacation do I get? I won't take any less than three weeks. What kind of guaranteed bonuses do I get? Am I going to have to work on Fridays? On Wednesdays I have to leave at 3:00 to do my grocery shopping and pick up my daughter at day care. My ex won't do that! And your salary range for this position is too low. I want…
Interviewer: OUT!!

• Lesson Learned: In the first interview it's too early to talk about pay and benefits. Leave your personal issues at the door and don't make any demands. You haven't even been offered the job.

A couple of other tips for the job interview: Turn off your cell phone! (duh!). And if you get invited to lunch, don't order the spaghetti. Also, select an appropriate personal e-mail screen name. Having a screen name like "Fuzzybear@yahoo.com" doesn't project a professional image.

There are many other ways you can mess up the interview, but you get the idea. This is a get acquainted session, much like a first date. You want to put your best foot forward and make a good first impression. Find out more about the job and the company and establish a good rapport with the interviewer. The objective is to get called back for future "dates."

INSIGHT COMMUNICATION CONSULTANTS IN THE NEWS

Dennis Hamilton spoke at the job search club at St. John's of the Cross Parish in Western Springs on June 18. He has been a speaker there several times before, giving advice and tips on looking for a new job or career. This time he spoke on how identify one's transferable skills and explain them in a job interview when one is changing industries or careers.

DO YOU WANT MORE HELP?

The Insight Communication Group offers individual and small-group sessions designed to help you differentiate yourself in your job search. Call or e-mail us to find out more about how to make your resume sell you; how to present yourself in the interview, including how to answer difficult questions; marketing yourself vocally; and more!

Past Issues

Spring 2009 Newsletter

December 2008 Announcement

If you'd like to request a previous newsletter, please contact us.

share this page

Copyright 2009 The Insight Communication Group Ltd.
All rights reserved.
1425 W. Schaumburg Rd #311 • Schaumburg, IL 60194 • 847-895-6527 • Fax 847-895-6576 • office@ticgltd.com