10 Things to Do After the Job Interview

By Nancy Collamer, Debra Manente, contributing author to Forbes magazine

Congrats. You had the job interview. Now, your work is done, right? Wrong.
In today’s hypercompetitive job market, effective follow-up after the interview is a must, and failing to do it well might cause you to lose out to another candidate.
The line between being persistent and being a pain, however, is blurry at best. So to help you sort things out, I sent a query to my colleagues in the careers world — recruiters, career coaches, hiring managers and CEO’s — asking for their best follow-up advice.
I received more than 60 responses on topics ranging from thank you notes to handling rejection. Here’s a summary of their 10 best tips:

The Thank-You Note

On this point, everyone agreed: A thank-you note is a must. Most of the pros recommended you send one via email within 24 hours of the interview. Several suggested a handwritten card as a supplement when a personal or creative touch might be especially valued.

But if you really want to stand out, you need to do more than just say “thanks for your time.” The experts suggested these techniques to make your thank-you note shine:

Reference an article of interest. Include in the note a relevant article, link or book recommendation relating to a topic that was discussed during the interview. It’s a value-add for the interviewer and will reinforce your industry expertise.

 

To really make an impact, Jene Kapela, a South Florida-based leadership coach, says you should write a blog post on a topic discussed during the interview and then share the link to the post in your thank-you note.

Include supporting documentation that illustrates your ability to do the job. You don’t want to overwhelm the interviewer, but adding one or two carefully-curated examples of your work (non-confidential work samples, press mentions, etc.) can be a smart way to show off your expertise.
“It helps show you are the real deal,” says Tyson J. Spring, head of New Business & Strategy for Elever
Professional, an Austin, Texas recruiting firm.

Provide a follow-up response to one of the key interview questions. Ever draw a blank or give a less than stellar response during a job interview? Use your note to modify, correct or amplify one of your responses.

Todd Cherches

, CEO 
of BigBlueGumball, a New York City-based management consulting and coaching firm, offers this example:

When you asked me about my single greatest accomplishment in my last job, I apologize that I drew a blank. However, immediately after leaving, it hit me that I should have mentioned I was voted the top salesperson in my department for 2013, and proudly received a special recognition award at my company’s year-end national convention.

The Waiting Game

Anyone who has recently looked for a job knows that hiring decisions can drag on for months. To make that in-between-time work in your favor…

 

Follow instructions. If the recruiter or interviewer suggested contacting them by email, don’t call on the phone. And, says Lynne Sarikas, director of the MBA Career Center at the D’Amore McKim School of Busineess at Northeastern University, “If they tell you it will take two weeks, wait the two weeks.”

If you forgot to ask about next steps during the interview, request clarification in your follow-up email. Then follow the instructions you receive.
Don’t be a stalker. While you’re understandably anxious, that doesn’t give you license to pester the employer.

Debra Manente, associate director of Career Services at Post University in Waterbury, Conn., says you should call the recruiter or hiring manager to follow up at their recommended time (leave a message if you don’t reach them). But if you haven’t heard back after two calls, “take it as a sign to move on,” she says.

And speaking of stalking, most of the pros advised holding off on sending LinkedIn invitations to the people who interviewed you until after the hiring process has ended.

Immediately begin prepping for the next round of interviews. You never know when you’ll be asked to come in for a Round 2, so you’ll want to be good to go at a moment’s notice.
Joe Weinlick, vice president of marketing for the online job board network, Beyond.com, recommends that you “dig deep to find interesting pieces of information that most people can’t find on the company’s website. It could be about an award-winning project, a milestone in the company’s history or a recent initiative. If you take this information and casually work it into the conversation in a follow-up interview, it will leave a positive lasting impression and increase your chances of getting the job.”

Call in a favor. Have an influential contact who knows the hiring manager or recruiter you met with? Now might be the time to ask that person to lend a hand.

 

Maria Goldsholl, chief operating officer of the Mom Corps staffing solutions agency, offers this advice: “Have an impressive reference reach out to the hiring manager or recruiter via LinkedIn to drop a note to praise you. The note could read: ‘Mary, I recently became aware that Josh was interviewing with your company for a position. I wanted to tell you that you would be very lucky to have someone like that on your team. His skills are sharp and he was one of the best employees I have ever had.’

Keep hope — while you keep looking. In today’s crazy job market, you never know when you might hear back about a position you’ve long forgotten about.

As Lisa M. Benson, staffing director at Mary Kraft Staffing & HR Solutions, points out, “Thanks to electronics, hiring managers do really keep resumés at their fingertips for a while when they like them. We hear stories of candidates being hired six months to a year after the initial submission of their resumeé, sometimes with very little contact in the interim!”
Of course, hope alone is not a job search strategy. So keep your search in high gear until you have an offer in hand.

If You Don’t Get the Job

Should you lose out for a position you interviewed for, accept rejection in a professional manner. Sure it hurts to hear “No.” But if you handle the rejection professionally, you might be considered for a future job at the same employer.

Carol
 Cochran, Director of Human Resources at
 FlexJobs, shared that in the last six months, she has returned to — and hired — five candidates she originally turned down. “They made a great impression in our first round of
conversations and were graceful in their communications after I let them
know we had chosen another applicant,”
 Cochran wrote to me.

Stay in touch. You never know when an employer might have another opening or will hear of an opening and recommend you, so remain in contact after losing out. You might use LinkedIn to send an article or to reach out with a helpful suggestion.

But Bruce Hurwitz, a New York City-based executive recruiter, career counselor and author, says: Don’t overdo it. “Once every few months is a good idea,” he notes.
Otherwise, you might be seen as a pest, and that’s no way to stand out among job candidates as one of the best.

Nancy Collamer, M.S., is a career coach, speaker and author of Second-Act Careers: 50+ Ways to Profit From Your Passions During Semi-Retirement. Her website is MyLifestyleCareer.com; on Twitter she is @NancyCollamer.

How to customize your Linkedin URL

By Debra Manente

The most frequent question people have at our popular LinkedIn workshops is always, ‘How do I change my LinkedIn URL?’

Without changing your URL, LinkedIn assigns a series of numbers which can be hard to remember, however, your URL can be customized.  By doing this, your URL becomes more visually appealing and can then be used on your resume, business cards, or email signature. 

Your custom URL can contain between 5-30 letter and numbers and be as simple as your name, or your “brand.” However, LinkedIn will not allow the use of spaces, symbols, or special characters. If you decide to change your URL, remember to always choose a URL that reflects professionalism. If your name is John Smith and John Smith is already being used, you may opt to use your middle initial or a combination of your first/last initial and then your first/last name.  Whatever you chose, keep it professional because everyone in your network will see it. 

Keep in mind that some URLs may be unavailable, as each URL is offered on a first come, first served basis.  If a member uses a URL and then changes it, the URL they first chose will be unavailable for use by another member for several months.  Also, if you change your URL more than three times in six months, you will have to wait another six months before you can change it again.  Therefore, you may want to sit with a pad and pen and jot down possible combinations in the instance your name is already being used. 

Once you decide which version of your name you want to go with, the steps to change the URL are as follows:

1.       Move your cursor over Profile at the top of your homepage and select Edit Profile.

2.       Below your picture, there will be a Linkedin URL. It will look something like this: www.linkedin.com/in/yourname.......

3.       Click the word Edit next to that URL.

4.       In the Your public profile URL box in the bottom right, click "Customize your public profile URL.”

5.       Type your name, or whatever you want the last part of your new custom URL to be, in that text box.

6.       Remember to click Set Custom URL.

You have now customized your LinkedIn URL.  If you go back and click on Profile, at the top of your homepage, you will notice your new URL below your picture.  It’s that easy.   

By customizing your URL, you have now taken control of another part of your “online brand;” along with demonstrating your savvy technical skills. Now you are ready to network with people and add your URL to your resume, business card, or any social media platform you use.

Good luck and let us know how customizing your URL has made a difference!

How to make a lasting impression on that initial job interview

 by Debra Manente

Let’s face it; an initial interview is not likely to get you the job. But, it is an essential first step. When you go for a job interview, your goal is to make them like you, and want to talk to you more. In this day and age, it’s rare for applicants to get offers during the first interview. Therefore, you always want to make a lasting impression and leave them wanting more – make them want to talk to you again. Here are some simple things that can create a better first impression and help you reach that goal.

Dress for success

You never get a second chance to make a good first impression so you always want to look the part. According to Forbes Magazine, most interviewers have their minds made up within the first seven seconds on whether or not they would hire a person. Therefore, you want to always look professional. To begin, your clothes must be clean, pressed, and shoes should look polished. To get a better idea of what you should, and shouldn’t wear, check out our Pinterest pin board. It is full of ideas on how you should dress for a job interview, and ways to avoid looking unprofessional.

Tell them your value proposition

If you say you have the skills you know they are looking for, you must be able to talk about those skills and provide concrete examples of things you’ve accomplished that will benefit the company. This is what we call your Value Proposition. In other words, how your qualifications meet the employer’s needs and can help them achieve their goals. If they say they need someone who feels comfortable using Microsoft Office applications, you want to relay to them that you’ve utilized Outlook, Excel, and Word during an internship or previous job, for example, or that you clocked hundreds of hours writing research papers while utilizing Word and Excel in college. Give them examples of what you have done and how it relates to what you can do for them. You want them to visualize you working in that position. Build a picture that demonstrates how you will get the job done.

Be aware of your non-verbal communication

Studies show that non-verbal communication makes up for 90% of the message. Therefore, you always need to be aware of your posture and eye contact. A lack of eye contact shows a lack of interest. Also, it’s best to practice your handshake. A limp, clammy handshake will not showcase you as a strong capable employee. You want your handshake to be confident and firm; but not bone crushing. Holding their grip for 2 to 3 seconds while looking them in the eye with a confident smile is sufficient and demonstrates that you are capable, personable and trustworthy.
 

Show enthusiasm for the position.

No one wants to hire someone who isn’t passionate about the work they do. This means asking thoughtful questions to get an idea of what the company is truly like. At the end of the interview, when they ask if you have questions, never say no. By having five to seven questions prepared, it shows that you are excited to find the right fit for not just them, but for yourself. Not only are you letting them interview you, but you are interviewing them to see if you would even want to work in their environment. Showing that you have a genuine interest in the position—whether or not it is the right position for you—proves that you did your homework and that you take your career seriously.

In the end, your goal is to make them like you, envision you doing what it is they are looking to accomplish, and want to talk to you more. By being aware of these simple ideas, you can create a lasting impression and increase the chance of being called back for a second, or third, interview.

 

Good luck and let me know how these ideas have worked for you.

5 reasons why you need to research a company before the job interview

5 reasons why you need to research before your interview
by Debra Manente
 

As a hiring manager, nothing frustrated me more than when I sat down to interview someone for a job and he or she had no knowledge about my company.

It just felt like a waste of time for me and the interviewee. No matter how impressive their resume looked, if applicants knew nothing about the company it showed me that they didn’t take the time to go above and beyond to try and set themselves apart from other applicants.

Many times, companies will ask, “What do you know about our company?” as a way to eliminate unprepared candidates from those who are more serious and showed initiative. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate has declined, but for most job-seekers, the competition for finding a job is still an uphill battle. Job candidates can’t afford to leave any rock unturned. With unlimited resources to get our information, there is no reason why a candidate shouldn’t at least know about the company’s products, problems, growth, goals or competitors. 

Here are five reasons why it’s important to always research a company before an interview:

1. It demonstrates your enthusiasm for the career field, and more important, the organization.

Showing that you took the initiative to learn about a company’s customers, products and services, and competitors demonstrates that you are enthusiastic and serious about the job; and that not just any job will do. This speaks volumes to the employer and they will most likely place you reward you for the effort by allowing your candidacy to move to the next round.

2. It allows you to be able to articulate how your skills, knowledge, and values match those of the organization and industry.

For example, say the company has a reputation for serving its customers well and the quality of its products or services are considered top notch. By knowing this, you can demonstrate during your interview how the company’s qualities are important to you and how they align with your beliefs. This helps ensure that you get noticed.

3. It helps determine if this is an organization at which you would want to devote the next few years of your work life.

Would you want to work for a company that may be relocating to another state or country? Would you be interested in the company if it has a history of laying off employees after six months? Is the company profitable? Is it adding jobs?

By researching, and talking with others who already work there, you could save yourself a lot of valuable time determining if it is a place you want to work. Without knowing what its future goals are, you will not know if this is where you want to be.

4. It can help you answer the question, “Why do you want to work for us?”

The one question you will most likely always be asked in an interview is, “Why do you want to work for us?” The correct answer is never “because I need a job”. To be successful in answering this question, you must understand the dynamics of the company and what it is the employer is looking for in an employee. Learn what obstacles the company faces and explain how you can help accomplish those obstacles in a positive way. Everyone needs a job, but conveying that you are a person more interested in being a contributing factor to the company’s success is key to impressing the hiring manager.

5. It provides you with the foundation for thoughtful questions when asked.

From experience, I know employers hate it when interviewees don’t have questions when asked. It’s best to always have five to eight questions prepared before you arrive. Some of those questions might initially get answered before you have a chance to ask, but having more than a few questions prepared will eliminate some of the stress of having to think on the spot. Creating thoughtful questions will be easier for you if you are knowledgeable about what it is they do or who they are. 

In the end, it can never hurt to know a little about the interviewer, as well. Interviewers are always impressed when you have conducted your research thoroughly and ask informed, intelligent questions. It not only shows that you are serious about your career, but demonstrates that you are less likely to just take any job just because you need it.

Good luck, and let us know how these ideas have worked for you.

8 tips on how to properly complete your LinkedIn profile

8 tips on how to properly complete your LinkedIn profile

spoken by Debra Manente to Dr. Rigali, Director of Career Services

 

With the rapid ascension of social media use, especially among college students and recent grads, none may be more vital than LinkedIn in landing a job.

 

According to research, 92 percent of companies use LinkedIn or some form of social media as a recruiting tool, and 79 percent of all jobs are posted on social media. Sixty one percent of all LinkedIn members are hiring managers and executives.

 

There are 200 million people currently on LinkedIn so that means there are a lot of jobs and contacts out there waiting for you.

 

“Anyone who means anything to your career is probably on LinkedIn,” said Debra Manente, who is the associate director of the Career Services Department at Post University.

 

Ninety percent of people say they got a job because of someone they know, and LinkedIn allows you to connect and stay in touch professionally with as many people as possible.

 

The whole purpose of LinkedIn is to build relationships, and some of them could help you get a job. The social media tool also allows you to professionally promote yourself, and helps you rank high in search engine results.

 

Debra met with a group of Post University students recently about the importance of LinkedIn as one tool in the career search process. She urged students to create LinkedIn profiles and complete all eight steps to achieve 100 percent completion, which enables you to be seen by more people.

 

“It helps you establish an authoritative voice regarding your accomplishments, experience, and capabilities and leads people to find you when they search the internet,” Manente said.

 

She walked the students through the eight steps including name, picture, headline and strong summary, experience, education, skills, demographic area and industry, and connections.

 

1.Name: Use the name you will use professionally on LinkedIn. Don’t use a nickname.

 

2. Picture: Your picture should be a professional-looking headshot with a pleasant expression on your face. No one else should be in the picture. It’s appropriate to have your work setting in the background.

 

3. Headline and strong summary: Debra said this is the most important part of the process. It’s vital to use this space to convey your skills. For example if you work in a career services department write Career Developer/Career Search Blogger/LinkedIn Trainer/Program Coordinator.

Don’t just state your title as that is already included lower in the profile. Debra said no matter what you do, don’t leave this section blank.

 

4. Experience: College students can include internships under experience along with full- and part-time jobs. You must list at least two positions under experience, which can include volunteer work.

 

5. Education: For recent graduates you can move education to the top of your profile. Debra suggested you only list relevant classes and there is no need to list your high school.

 

6. Skills: List skills employers want to see based on the career you want. You must list at least three skills in order to achieve a 100 percent completed profile.

 

7. Demographic Area and Industry: Failure to include this information means you won’t show up in LinkedIn’s searches.

 

8. Connections: You need at least 50 connections to bring your profile to 100 percent completion. That sounds daunting but you can connect with people on your gmail and yahoo emails. And, you also can actively seek out connections among professionals in your current or future field.

 

If you want to connect with someone you don’t know or don’t know well, it’s best to send a personal message instead of LinkedIn’s automated impersonal message.

 

Debra said 10 percent of your network should feature recommendations by other LinkedIn members. Don’t be shy about asking for recommendations from people with whom you’ve worked closely and can attest to your skills, work ethic, etc.

What’s been your experience using LinkedIn? Have you ever learned about a career opportunity or gotten a lead on an interview through LinkedIn? Leave a comment and let us know.

Are you using your body language to your advantage? by Debra Manente

Correct body language can lead to success

Posted by Debra Manente

 

You probably never thought of it but your body language can make a difference when it comes to how you are perceived in your interview; or even throughout your career. Researchers have found that the timid and meek are often overlooked when it comes to getting hired and for career advancement. However, there’s a way you can create a more powerful you; and give yourself the feeling of accomplishment and confidence. What do high level executives and C-level management know that make a difference? In short, it’s all about understanding your body language and how to make it work in your favor.

Based on research done by Amy Cuddy, Associate Professor and Hellman Faculty Fellow in the Negotiation, Organizations & Markets Unit at Harvard Business School, and an article from the Wall Street Journal, simply changing your body position can have an impact on your chances for success. That’s great news for those quiet, soft spoken types. Nonetheless, college students and graduates can also benefit from knowing these tricks.

Cuddy has coined the term “power poses” and explains that simply by changing your stance, body language can change your body chemistry. She goes on to explain that a power pose, called "pride," is innate. People born blind at birth do it when they're victorious in events, even when they've never seen it or been taught to do it. On the other hand, in low power situations, people or animals who are feeling feeble and helpless reflect closed body language; something that reflects negativity and defeat.

What does all this mean to you and your job interview? By understanding how your posture affects your hormones and behavior, your body language can become a valuable instrument in the way you succeed. By practicing a few simple gestures before your interview you can build rapport and reflect that you are a person who is competent and can complete a job on time. Sales people do it all the time. When I worked as a sales executive for a popular television network, we were taught to “mirror” the client’s body language in order to build comfort and land the sale. It’s no secret that people tend to spend money with those they trust and feel comfortable talking with. The same holds true while utilizing a few keys moves before and during your interview. Therefore, by understanding the value of body language, it may just be the thing you need to help the interviewer choose you over the competition.

How does it work? Standing up is a way of saying, “I want to command your attention.” While practicing a "power pose" for a few minutes in private—such as standing tall and leaning slightly forward with hands at one's side, or leaning forward over a desk with hands planted firmly on its surface — it leads to higher levels of testosterone and lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol. These physiological changes are linked to better performance and more confident behavior.

 

Cuddy also reports that participants who struck power poses for several minutes before beginning a mock job interview received better reviews and were more likely to be chosen for hire — even though the evaluators had never seen them in the poses. Research by Dr. Dana Carney, an assistant professor at the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley, reports that power posing before a college-entrance exam can also help improve test scores.

In summary, not only does body language effect how others perceive us but also shapes how we view ourselves. Hunching over a smartphone or a computer may be self-defeating and forces you into a lower-power pose. Instead, next time you prepare for your interview, or get ready to make a presentation, put away the cell phone and take a few minutes to stretch in private. If you can’t find a private area, practice sitting tall with your feet planted firmly on the floor. This forces regular breathing and will lead you to feel under control and ready for action. “Striking a pose” may be just what you need to help you build confidence and get through that difficult interview, land that job or receive that long awaited promotion.

How to make your post-interview thank-you letter matter - by Debra Manente

By Debra Manente

 

AFTER THE INTERVIEW: Embrace the power of the thank-you letter

 A whopping 1,791,000 students earned their bachelor’s degrees in 2013, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Add a stagnant economy to a saturated market, and you get a job search that can be tremendously challenging. So what can you do to help improve your odds of setting yourself apart from a sea of competition?

Today’s job candidates often underestimate, or even overlook, one post-interview gesture that actually can make or break your chance at a job offer: the thank-you letter. Perhaps now more than ever, the thank-you letter is an important step in elevating your candidacy and knocking out the competition.

Don’t let the name fool you – your thank-you letter is not just an opportunity to say “thank you.” It’s also an opportunity to qualify yourself as the best contender for the job. Think of it as your first business proposal. It should demonstrate your strong writing skills, showcase what you can do for the company, and leave a lasting impression. Most importantly, it should paint a picture of your professional future according the conversation you had in your interview.

Sound daunting and intimidating? Breaking the letter down into three key sections can take the mystery out of the process. Here’s my foolproof format.

1: Thank and refresh. You guessed it – you want to start out your letter by stating “thank you” and expressing your appreciation for the interviewer’s time. Be sure to mention the day you met with the interviewer, as well as the position you interviewed for. Remember, the individual may be holding multiple interviews for multiple positions, and this will help them identify you right away.

-          Example: “Thank you for meeting with me on Tuesday. Having the opportunity to meet with you and to learn more about the <Position title> role at <Company name> was greatly appreciated.”

2: Qualify and convince. The second paragraph should comprise the majority of your letter. This is the place to communicate the skills and accomplishments you have, and how you they will enable you to make a difference in the company. The key here is to cater your delivery to the specific dialogue you had in your interview. Touch upon the needs or obstacle of the company as described by the interviewer, and demonstrate in detail how you are equipped to fulfill them. By doing this, you show the employer that you have taken time to think seriously about your role and prove the value you can bring to the company.

If done properly, this portion of your letter will pave the way for further conversation about the skills you will bring to the table, and will advance the interviewer’s interest in pursuing you as a candidate. Simply put, this is your opportunity to convince the interviewer you are the stand-out applicant – and that you mean business!

-          Example: “As we discussed, my experience training associates to deliver consistent service to outside vendors will benefit <Company name>; which can influence your bottom line.”

3: Close and pursue. Your third paragraph should begin with another “thank you” to show your sincere appreciation for their consideration. Then, don’t be afraid to express your expectation of a follow-up phone call or second interview and show your enthusiasm for the job. Just like if you were trying to close a business deal (remember, your thank-you letter is not dissimilar to your first business proposal!), you should be assertive about pursuing the next steps.

-          Example: “Thank you again for your time, and I look forward to speaking with you again about how I can make a valuable contribution to your company. I welcome the opportunity to meet with you for a second interview and will follow-up with you on Thursday.”

Some final pointers:

-          Just like the cover letter, your thank-you letter should be short and concise to keep the interviewer’s attention. It should be just a few paragraphs long and should not exceed one page. If you have the time to hand write your letter, use resume paper.

-          It’s always best to send everyone you interview with a separate thank you letter. Don’t send the same letter to everyone – people tend to share, and sending a duplicate message to each interviewer will make you look insincere.

Finally, after you’ve sent your letter off, be sure to follow up properly to reiterate your interest and stay fresh in the interviewer’s mind. After all, the whole point of the thank-you letter is to continue with the conversation until it leads to a hiring decision. This simple gesture can make all the difference in whether or not you advance to the next level, whether it’s a second interview or a job offer. So make it count!

Still have questions about thanking your interviewer? Feel free to drop a note in the comments.