Definitive Guide to Job Hunting – The importance of listening during the itnerview
If only I had a Pound for the amount of times customers say: “He is a lovely chap, but his listening skills are not great!” when I ask for interview feedback.
Listening is a hugely important communication skill, and one that we don’t often practice enough. So, if you really want to do well in an interview, it’s important to focus on the questions and to make sure that you take time to give appropriate and well-formulated answers.
What should you try to avoid at all costs?
Assuming you know the questions before you hear it
Not all interviews ate the same. Not all interviewers expect the same answers. It’s really risky to think that, because you might have heard a similar question in the past, you know how to respond! You believe you already know what the interviewer is going to say. When this happens, it is easy to hear only part of the question, as you mentally anticipate the rest of the question or statement. The problem is that often you are incorrect. You THINK you heard what the prospect said, when you really heard what was in your own mind.
If you LISTEN to the full question, with making any assumptions, you are likely to not only understand the words, but also the context. This will help you give a far more relevant and appropriate answer. It helps keep you on track and focussed, instead of veering off at a tangent.
Formulating your response before the question has been posed
It is human nature to begin to formulate the response to the question while the interviewer is still speaking. You believe you know exactly what they are going to say, and you begin rehearsing in your mind what you will say back. Being over-anxious and keen to respond immediately, you might even tend to cut off the interviewer in mid-sentence. This is not only rude, but also a really dangerous strategy as you might get the wrong end of the stick by not hearing the person out!
Wait until the question has been stated, and then count to three before you open your mouth. This not only helps you listen and digest exactly what the prospect said. Do not be too quick to “have an answer for everything.” Take time and show the interviewer that you are thinking. It will keep you on track, you are likely to provide a far more consolidated response and the interviewer will feel that you took cognisance of the questions.
Lack of eye contact
Don’t allow your eyes to wander – Listening entails more than just your ears. You have to listen with your eyes and emotions.
Maintain constant eye contact and engage with everything the interviewer is saying. Take in and note body language, facial expression and movements. You need to SEE and FEEL what is being said, in addition to hearing it.
Most final hiring decision are taken on the basis of the interviewers “gut feel”
Do they like you or not? Do they think you fit in with their team and ethics? This is beyond what is stated in your CV. Its everything to do with who you are, in it really might be the defining factor that wins the job!
Starting 2012 with a bang!
To all my valued Candidates and Blog followers:
I had the good fortune of being able to spend a wonderful holiday in South Africa over Christmas and the New Year. Although I received a typical reality check in the form of a nasty cold on my return, the experience I had will stay with me forever! I wanted to share the following with you. It’s a speech I am delivering at Toastmasters, and I thought it worth posting it in its entirety. I hope you find it motivational!
|
“Picture this:
Its hot, about 37 degrees Celsius. The sun is beating the dry landscape into submission. Overhead, they sky is indigo blue and stretches on forever, with just a few white strands of cloud building in the high pressure. Below you, there is a 50 fifty foot drop opening up into a craggy landscape, with the gorge dipping deeper into the earth as it reveals the river, far below.
Straight ahead, a wire extends into the distance, over the gorge. It sways slightly in the gentle breeze. You are attached to this wire with only one carabena hitched into a pulley. You are harnessed up and you are wearing a crash helmet. Your heart is racing!
You squat on the edge, holding on to the control handle above your head. You try to remember: Push up to go, down to brake. You also remember signing the disclaimer back at the safety briefing!
The guide pats you on the back. You lie back a bit, get your balance. Then you kick free and launch yourself into that steep green gorge, flying through the air, suspended by only a pulley and that single carabena.
The adrenalin rushes, the wind is in your face, you see the vegetation and mountainous rocks far below. If you straighten your body, feet ahead, you go faster. Its exhilarating and furious as you gain speed and rush into the open air. As you go, a strange sound meets your ears and you realise its your own voice, echoing off the rock walls and bouncing back at you triumphantly.
Ahead you see a guide. He’s gesturing wildly – Brake!!!!
You realise that if you don’t stop yourself, you will hit the rock face. Pull down to stop!
Then you realise you were a bit too keen! You do stop, too far away from the guide to help you onto the platform. He gestures. As you were taught, you swivel your body around as you dangle in thin air, starting to sway a bit in the breeze that draws through the canyon. Below, the rocks look sharp and uninviting. Keeping hands clear from the pulley, you engage your stomach muscles and start to pull yourself to safety, hand over hand. It’s not far, only about 4 meters, but it feels like miles!
Then the guide grabs the back of your harness and you’re on terra firma, the craggy rocks now feeling welcoming and safe. Your knees quiver a little from the exertion.
“Well done Ma’am. You,re the first one to cross!”
Before you walk on to the next line a few meters away, you look back across the divide. The rest of the party are crowding around on the other side – Someone has lost the nerve. She fainted on the edge of the gorge. Fortunately, she was already attached to the safety equipment.
As you leap into the next portion of zipline, you feel empowered and free. This is the way to kick-start a new year!
And that, is how I started 2012 – Dangling at the end of a wire in stunningly beautiful landscape in South Africa. At 1,4km, it is the longest zipline in Africa. It is fast, its high, it’s a physical, mental and emotional challenge. It’s not the home territory of a Recruitment Consultant from Surrey! So why did I do it?
I wanted this to be a year of success, of personal growth and rising to challenges. At the end of 2012, I want to be a better person than the person I was at the start. That is a big ask. As human beings, we always take the easiest path. We sit back, we tremble, we look in fear at what life throws at us and often, we doubt our own abilities to deal with those challenges.
But as I stood waiting for the other members of the party to complete the challenge, I realised that I had won through on my own. Not everyone made it over, it was too high and too fast for some and they opted out. Some made it over in tandem with a guide. Those who did do it on their own, were exhilarated, proud, almost fearsome in the confidence that was bred during those few minutes of personal challenge.
So this will be my focus for 2012. If challenges arrive, I will remember pulling myself backwards out of thin air on that zip line. I will remember the exhiliration and adrenalin rush as I kicked away from the base, launching myself bodily into thin air. If I can do all that for myself, by myself, woman alone, are there any day-to-day challenges that I am not empowered to overcome?
This I want to share with you: I believe that, as humans, we are our own worst enemies when it comes to achieving goals or overcoming obstacles. It is only when we are out of our comfort zones, that we learn who we really are and how we are equipped to achieve our ambitions.
Next year, I am considering a white water rafting expedition on New Years Day. What are you doing to make yourself better?”
|
Christmas wishes from CR Associates
As we speed towards the end of yet another year, I am delighted to present my annual Christmas charity card to wish you and yours a most wonderful festive season.
This year, we are once again supporting Help for Heroes. Every click through to access the card at http://www.charitychristmascard.eu/?page_id=486 will increase the donation to this deserving organisation.
So be sure to turn up the sound and enjoy!
With best wishes for a healthy, happy Christmas and a truly prosperous 2012
Guide to Job Hunting: Networking your way into a job
Whether you’re looking for a job or not, the opportunities presented by networking can never be overlooked. Only a small proportion of vacancies ever find it onto the open market, so meeting people face to face in a social, business or professional setting might just open the door to opportunities you haven’t even considered.
So – Are all those conferences and events you’re attending leading to new connections or opportunities? Without retuning your radar to pick up on these, you might miss conversation threads that lead to discovering excellent career opportunities.
However, many networkers also have habits that actually inhibit building real relationships with their new contacts. Here’s what you might not even realize you’re doing wrong—and what to do about it.
Mistake #1: Talking about Yourself—All the Time
You’re talented! Eager! Ambitious! You have lots of ideas to share! And you want to make sure that every person you meet at the event knows who you are and what you do! And yes, sharing your story with new contacts is important. But sharing your life story is overkill: Nothing puts people off more than an aspiring professional who takes no interest in anything except for their own ambitions.
The Fix: Take Some Interest. Stop highlighting your latest accomplishment and start listening instead. Find people with industries or careers of interest to you, and ask them questions: How did they get their start? What do they love about their jobs, and what do they wish they could change? By taking an interest in your contact, you will make them feel valued—and hopefully interested in continuing the relationship. And you’ll likely gain some new insights, too.
Mistake #2: Expecting a Job
You’re looking for a new job, so you hit the circuit of industry events every week, asking every person you meet to help you. And people will help you too, but they are not stupid and no one likes to feel used. If you pursue networking opportunities purely for the job prospects, your contacts will figure you out. You will leave them feeling abused, and they will be less likely to recommend you for an opportunity.
The Fix: Provide Some Value. If you’re looking for a job, don’t ask for it—work for it. Do some research into what your contact does both in and out of work and find ways that you can contribute your time or support. Perhaps you could volunteer your expertise in social media for the big convention she’s heading up, or offer your accounting knowledge for his charity. Provide some opportunity for contacts to see you in a working light, and you’ll be that much closer to a good referral.
Mistake #3: Not Saying Thanks
You attended a large event last week and grabbed coffee with one of your new professional contacts afterward. And then—the week got busy, and you didn’t get around to saying thank you. If you don’t show gratitude, even in the smallest (or largest) event, you risk leaving a negative impression—probably not the desired outcome of your meeting.
The Fix: Just Do It. Set yourself a reminder to send off a quick note, or just insert a quick “thanks for taking time to meet with me!” at the final handshake. Not only will you solidify your reputation as a courteous individual, but you won’t be leaving your contacts with a bad taste in their mouths. Always say thank you, and your good impression will last until your next meeting.
Mistake #4: Forgetting to Follow Up
You meet someone at a networking event and tell her you’ll send her your CV. But as the night goes on, she has a few drinks and meets a few dozen more people. You’re sure she’s forgotten all about you, so you decide it’s not even worth emailing her the next day.
Bad idea. Meeting someone is just the first step in networking. In order to forge a lasting relationship (and make sure people don’t forget you), you need to follow up, every single time.
The Fix: Stay Accountable. If you told a networking contact that you would do something, do it. Even if you’re not sure she remembers you, you can bet that she will be grateful that you took the time out of your day to send her what you had discussed. If you’re worried about forgetting, keep a pen near your business card holder to quickly scribble out what follow-up actions you have for that contact, and review your cards after the event.
Above all, keep in mind that networking isn’t about short-term gain, but about learning, growing, and forming connections. Adopt good social habits, and you’ll see your skills and comfort improve, your opportunities increase, and your relationships grow—for the long haul.
Guide to Job Hunting – Is your email technique scuppering your job search?
It’s easy to take email for granted – However, it is one of the sharpest tools in your job seeking toolbox and it can define the decision about whether your CV is read, or binned.
Job seekers should remember that, like any powerful tool, E-mail should be used appropriately, especially when connecting with potential employers, communicating with networking contacts or submitting your CV as part of an application process.
Even if you think you’re on top of E-mail etiquette, refresh your memory with the following:
Choose your email address / name carefully – It was really cute when your E-mail address was “PlayBoyBunny88” at university, but a potential employer or networking contact is going to find it tacky and inappropriate. When in doubt, the best E-mail address is a combination of your first and last name.
Don’t forget the subject line – Would you open an E-mail from someone you don’t know that contains no subject line? Stay out of the spam folder by addressing the topic of your E-mail in your subject line. The more specific you are, the more likely your E-mail will be opened.
Ban the slang! – LOL, JK, ROFL, and other web jargon you have up your sleeve belong on Facebook and SMS, not professional E-mails. Using jargon, emoticons (smiling faces) and text slang tells an employer two things: first that you are not able to conduct yourself in a professional manner, and secondly that you might not be that serious about your application. Or, look at it this way: Most jobs today need some form of written communication. If you can’t be professional in this, your own most important written communications, how will you reflect on the company’s corporate image?
Keep it short and sweet – Stick to the point. Most people have very little time to read through emails, and usually have reams of them in their Inboxes. Devise a strong written elevator pitch to support your application if you are sending your CV, or to make your point if you are introducing yourself. Again, this reflects on professionalism and the ability to express yourself concisely – By writing a powerful but short covering email, you are helping yourself through the screening process.
Make your signature your own – Include your name, E-mail address, phone number, web address, and hyperlinks to your social media profiles. Not only does an informative signature make for a good professional finish to any E-mail message, it also provides all your contact information in one place, making you immediately accessible. It proves attention to detail and a professional approach.
Use an appropriate sign-off – “Yours truly” is old hat! If you don’t know someone, is “Best wishes” appropriate? I prefer “Sincerely” or “Kind regards”. Be careful here – less might be more.
REMEMBER THE ATTACHMENT – This has to be the most common mistake ever. Check it over before you press the Send key. Lack of attention to detail at this point can ruin all your best efforts. If your email goes into an automated system, it will not flag back that you forgot the attachment so you might think you have applied for the job, but without the attachment you obviously have not. If a human being receives your e-mail, they might be kind enough to ask you for a resend. Or they might just think “Fail!” and send your CV to the recycling bin, because all the other applicants included their attachments and they don’t have time to waste. A false start here can lose you the race!
Follow the 24-hour rule – E-mail is immediate. No need to wait for the postman or scramble for a stamp. It’s a quick click and done! However, procrastination and overflowing inboxes will often slow down the effectiveness of E-mail communication. Follow the 24-hour rule. Make a point to deal with each E-mail message you receive within 24 hours. When an E-mail requires your response, act on it within a day, even if only to acknowledge that you have received their message and need a day or two to compile the requested information. Someone is waiting for you to answer them, and your appreciation of their time and consideration will send a strong message that you value them and will respond as requested.
It seems like such a simple thing, but it is because E-mail is so simple that the quality of our communication suffers. We sometimes forget common courtesies and dismiss E-mails with a single click. Be careful. You could be dismissing your next job.
eBay recruits into the parts Aftermarket – Excellent opportunities in the UK and Germany!
We are delighted to be working with eBay, the world’s largest online marketplace. They have a powerful online presence for the sale of automotive parts and accessories across Europe, managed by a passionate community of individuals and small businesses. The size of the European automotive and motorcycle replacement parts market for eBay in Europe is measured in BIllions of Euros.
In line with recent developments in the parts aftermarket, with several of the OE parts manufacturers, factors and distributors developing online parts sales strategies, eBay are now looking to maximise on this trend by developing a new vertical offering to market in Germany and the UK.
This will be focussed entirely on the automotive and motorcycle aftermarket parts channels, offering a platform for factors, distributors and sellers to utilise.
This exciting opportunity requires a sales professional with a real in-depth knowledge of the automotive aftermarket. You will understand the commercial drivers as well as the complex relationships that exist in the aftermarket. You will also have a strong sales profile, with a real drive to develop fruitful and long standing client relationships. Working form ahome based location but reporting into the head office in Berlin, you will also be able to develop commercial proposals based on client needs.
In return, they offer an outstanding opportunity to diversify your skills away from the mainstream parts aftermarket whilst still maintaining a detailed relationship with the industry. There are also excellent benefits, career prospects and a world class working culture from which to benefit.
For more information, please send your CV to recruitment@cathyrich.co.uk, or call 0845 269 9085 to discuss this exciting opportunity in more detail
Exciting new automotive jobs in Coventry – Advertised in the Telegraph Online
We are very pleased to be partnering with DENSO Sales UK to recruit Account Managers and Applications Engineers for their Coventry site.
DENSO is a leading supplier of advanced automotive technology, systems and components for most of the world’s major automakers. Operating in 35 countries, employing approximately 123,000 employees, DENSO has a significant global presence.
DENSO Sales UK has seen rapid growth in the development and sales of DENSO products including thermal systems, powertrain control systems, electronic systems and electrical systems, to a wide range of manufacturers in the mass and luxury vehicle, off-highway and motorcycle sectors.
All employees work towards a common goal: developing innovative automotive systems. The key to this process is quality. To achieve this we believe that ongoing investment in both the quality of our products and our people is what ensures our position of leadership.
The main focus of the role is the management of the lifecycle of automotive manufacturing projects from business acquisition to phase out. You will handle issues relating to the commercial and / or technical aspects of customer projects, liaising with both our customers and DENSO internal departments, including DENSO Japan and manufacturing sites worldwide.
Key commercial aspects of the role will involve you in the development of product sales strategies, sales expansion activities and developing effective customer relationships.
Application engineering activities include, project planning, measurement/analysis of data, prototype management, design validation activities, vehicle installation checks, engineering sign-off and promotion of DENSO technologies.
The ideal candidate will preferably have a degree in electrical or mechanical engineering or similar qualifications/relevant experience and have a passion for technical products. Experience of working in the O.E. automotive sector (Tier 1 supply) in engineering or in a similar application engineering/technical sales role would be highly desirable. Past experience within automotive powertrain, thermal, HVAC, rotating electrics, or similar product areas are of particular interest, however a good depth of commercial or technical product management experience in a Tier 1 context with other products will also be considered. Strong communication and negotiation skills are essential.
There will be a requirement to travel in the UK on a frequent basis and occasionally to European and Global locations as business needs dictate.
For more information, please forward your CV to recruitment@cathyrich.co.uk, or call 0845 269 9085 for more information.
This link will take you to the Telegraph Online: http://bit.ly/uwZfFL where you can also apply
Definitive Guide to Job Hunting: Is a lack of keywords causing your CV to be missed?
Using good keywords in your CV will lead to interviews!
With the shift to online and digital recruitment, as well as the widespread use of computerised back office support systems, I would guess that 80% of all submitted CVs (if not more!) get processed by software, and stored on a server or database in a digitized format.
The first time your CV gets human attention is when it surfaces in a search. That’s why most job applicants don’t receive responses from companies after submitting their CVs.
So it makes sense that, in order to increase your CV’s chances of being at least viewed by a human (Even if it’s not thereafter considered as suitable) you have to understand the process and work within it to maximise your chances.
Most database searches in recruitment terms are based on keywords derived from job descriptions, whether these are conducted by inhouse recruiters or external recruitment agencies. The keywords are input into the database query, and results are returned in the form of a list. Its not much different from doing a Google search, except the database being interrogated is full of CVs. This is also how your CV may be discovered on the jobs boards like Jobsite or Monster.
The trick is to ensure that you embed sufficient keywords in your CV so that it pops up in the relevant searches for the jobs you want to be considered for. So, what’s the best way to find those magical keywords?
The simplest way to do it is to search the jobs boards for examples of job requirements in the areas you want to be employed. The same words will be repeated, or there will be some common denominators.
An obvious keyword is to include the name of the industry you work in: It is surprising how many people work in the automotive aftermarket, for example, but those words are nowhere in their CVs!
Job title is another one: If you have a current job title that is not entirely descriptive of your job (For example Administration Executive – It could mean anything!) change it something commonplace. If you are responsible for people and work in sales, call yourself Sales Manager rather than Director. This small difference could make a vast change to how many times your CV appears in searches. There are less jobs for Directors than managers in the economy – The word Director indicates board level involvement. If you are not on the board, don’t use the word in your CV.
The word “sales” is complex – It appears in virtually everyone’s CV! If you work in sales, make sure you stand out from the crowd by adding in the names and brands of the products you sold. Recruiters don’t want to look at 3 million CVs, so when searching in sales they are likely to use a combination of words to reduce the number of results. It makes sense: If I am recruiting for a salesperson to work for a brake and clutch manufacturer in the aftermarket, those are the keywords I will use and then broaden the search if I don’t get a satisfactory result.
If you work in an industry with specialist jargon, it might serve to include some of those in your CV (Always use brackets to explain the acronym in case someone who reads your CV doesn’t understand it). The same goes for global system keywords – For example, system names like SAP or JD Edwards are buzzwords.
So go on – When is the last time you revamped your CV? If you are taking your job search seriously, by optimising the keywords today you will have an immediate impact on how many times your details are viewed.
Guide to Job Hunting: The danger of complacency in your job search
I have never known the jobs market to be so unpredictable.
There are so many people out of work, yet although there are jobs available it is taking longer and longer to get successful conclusions. Sometimes, this is due to risk aversion on the side of the employers, who can take a lot of time deliberating on recruitment processes, only to find the best candidates swept away by other, more proactive employers. But sometimes, oddly enough, the reason for the lag is that we are struggling to find enough suitably experienced candidates to allow an objective hiring decision to be made.
This is ironic, because although the manufacturing industry has been particularly slow to recover from major redundancies and hiring freezes in 2009, the tide is turning and there are more opportunities available now than a year ago. So where have all the job applicants gone then?
Is it possible that you might be losing out on opportunities because you have become complacent?
It is easy it is to settle into an unproductive job seeking routine, losing sight of goals and no longer pushing to succeed in the face of so much negative feedback.
Every job seeker gets stuck in a rut once in a while. The trick is to snap out of it and break the job seeking bad habits holding you down. Here are five of the most common bad habits that job seekers find themselves sucked into during a prolonged job search
1. Losing focus
While it’s a good idea to widen your horizons and apply for positions outside your immediate field of expertise, if you find yourself applying to anything and everything you see, chances are you’ve lost sight of your goals. Throwing your CV against as many walls as possible and hoping something sticks is not a job seeking strategy – it is an exercise in futility. Refocus, tighten up your CV and apply to jobs you’re interested in (and capable of performing). Otherwise you’re just wasting your time.
2. Casual job seeking
Apathy is the killer of any job search. It’s easy to fall into the rut of being busy for busy’s sake: The lazy job seeker is the perpetual job seeker. Looking for work is a full-time job – don’t lounge around in limbo or else you’ll find yourself stuck there. As the economy changes, more positions will become available and now is the time for you to grab hold of the opportunities.
3. Doing the same old, same old
If you keep doing the same thing, you will always get the same results. Maybe it is time to change tack. Step outside your comfort zone: Phone a different recruitment agency, join a new social network, try something new. Take risks – call up the company you’ve been avoiding because you were afraid of rejection. Don’t allow fear and uncertainty to rule your life.
4. Lack of follow through
As you apply to more and more jobs, it’s hard to keep organized and remember which jobs you’ve applied to. You apply through a career site for one job, fire off a LinkedIn contact request for another, etc… It’s easy to forget to follow up. Keep a spreadsheet where you document everything you do on your job search, and be sure to follow up with notes after you apply to a job or send someone an email.
5. Loss of confidence
The easiest bad habit to fall into is negativity. If you write emails or make changes to you CV or covering letter in the wrong frame of mind, it will be picked up by the person reading it. It’s very easy and understandable to become pessimistic about your job search, but you have to remember to remain upbeat and positive about your worth as a job seeker and about your past accomplishments.
Keeping an organized, positive, and rigorous approach to job seeking is certainly easier to write about than to practice. However, job seekers are particularly vulnerable to falling into bad habits because unemployment is a very difficult time personally – so you have to stay vigilant and attentive. Right now, the market is loosening up and there are more job opportunities available.
Take advantage of them by getting back on the horse! That job might just be waiting around the corner for you.
Guide to Job Hunting – Are these mistakes costing you opportunities?
Are you still waiting by the phone to hear back from all the applications you have sent out?
Have you thought that you might be sabotaging your own job search? Take a deep breath and ask yourself if you are guilty of any of the following job search faux pas:
1. A less than salubrious Web Presence or Word of Mouth:
Get Facebook and LinkedIn cleaned up. Treat Google and your name like it’s a second resume. People will check and if it’s dodgy, you may be losing out on job opportunities.
Also remember that people know other people. Remember that offer you accepted over 5 years ago, then turned them down because it was a ruse to increase your salary? Or the dodgy deal you did in your sales job that got found out? Unfortunately, negative word of mouth is the enemy of most job applicants in sector specific markets. Keep your nose clean at all times – You will be remembered for your worst mistakes, rarely for your best achievements. That is life – Your personal brand and integrity should be your key objective when you are in work, because when you are out of work it is too late.
2. Bad Grammar:
It doesn’t matter if you’re an MD or an entry level candidate, you’ll be judged by your writing competency. It’s not necessarily a deal breaker, but glaring typos are a bad sign to see on your resume, cover letter, or Thank-you letter. Run the spell checker with care! Attention to detail is a key requirement for most employers – If you are not proud enough to present yourself without errors in your CV, what will you do when you have to represent them if they employ you?
3. ”How much does it pay?”
Compensation is a tricky subject. If you bring it up too soon, it’ll look like your priorities are misaligned. You’re saying you don’t care about the company, the job itself. Money is immodest, don’t start a conversation with it. Leave it right to the end. If the person recruiting thinks you are suitable, they will ask you the question.
4. Skipping HR or the recruitment agency and sending your CV straight to the decision maker
This “advice” pops up now and again from those who think there’s a fast-track to the hiring process. You’ve been fed a lie. The MD / Sales Director / guy at the top is too busy for your gimmicks. Follow the prescribed process or else risk annoying the facilitators who are actually there to help you through the process. Do it once with an agency, and they might not want to work with you again because they won’t trust you.
5. Using the same CV for every application
One size does not fit all in job hunting! You should have at least 3 or 4 resumes saved on your computer for different jobs. Never lie about your skills, you’ll be found out – but you might want to highlight different aspects of your career (aside from your transferable skills across industries) and SHOW don’t TELL how you accomplished various goals.
6. Being reactive
“I went to the interview. I must be all done” Time to sit back and wait by the phone, right? Wrong!
Call to give feedback, keep following up. Make it clear you are keen on this specific opportunity but keep applying for positions and going on interviews. Nothing is a done deal until you hear, “you’re hired.” And there are no guarantees, especially now in a risk averse market. Job seeking is a full time job – one that you probably don’t want for long! Work smarter, not longer and you’ll have that handshake in no time.
7. Don’t be impatient!
Following on from no 6 – You can also become the candidate from hell if you keep chasing, even after you have been given feedback and time scales. Don’t send emails saying “Are you on holiday”. You are not the only person looking for a job. Be courteous, respectful, understanding – Build a relationship with the recruiter rather than alienate them. Don’t shoot the messenger if you get bad feedback. Take it on the chin, learn from it and get back in the saddle. The job offer will come if you keep working at it.
