How to get a job (or not)

[rah]

Yeah sometimes, but I never put much weight on references since they are too easily "manufactured".

And of course the interview process can only tell you so much. Way too much of it ends up being gut feeling, even when using quantitative methods like behavioral, or other flavors of the month.

 

[BvBPL]

Just had an interview. I think it went well but I'm worried I didn't express enough enthusiasm at the end.

Kind of hoping I can recover with the thank you note. Are hand written ones still expected?

 

[Birdjaguar]

I would do a hand written one, but make sure that it is pretty legible. How many people interviewed you? Do you know which ones will make the decision? And yes, use the note to be enthusiastic about their opportunity and contributing to their success. Good luck!!!

 

[BvBPL]

Two managers, one was clearly the key decision maker plus an hr guy who wasn't in the interview itself.

First or last names on salutation. Of course they used their first names during the interview.

 

[Birdjaguar]

I would use last name on the salutation.

Dear Mr. Smith,
Thank you for your time last Tuesday. I found my visit to XYZ Co. fun and informative; I would especially love to be part of your team marketing such an innovative approach to adding color to concrete mix. Should you have any additional questions regarding my qualifications, please contact me.

Best regards,

 

[Traitorfish]

Wait, is that a thing, thank you notes after interviews? Maybe it's an American thing? In the UK, I think it'd be seen as a little forward, unless the interview was given as some sort of personal favour.

 

[Birdjaguar]

In the US, for higher level positions, it is a smart move and generally encouraged by recruiters. It shows courtesy to those who took the time to interview you and gives you one more chance to let them know you are interested in the job. Will it actually tip the balance your way? That is hard to say, but since the effort is minimal, it is worth doing. A text or email is not a substitute for a handwritten thank you note.

 

[really]

I think my scrawl would put people off.

 

[Birdjaguar]

I think my scrawl would put people off.

I print rather than use script for my notes.

 

[BvBPL]

Sending a thank you note can really set you apart. An email is too easy to ignore, a phone call can be skipped, but a hand addressed envelop will always get opened.

 

[Birdjaguar]

Exactly. That is a fundamental of any successful direct marketing campaign.

 

[Tahuti]

Just landed a job without any interview, even though I expected having to navigate through two. They seemed to be really desperate. All the better for me I guess.

 

[BvBPL]

I hope so, Tover.

 

[Birdjaguar]

Just landed a job without any interview, even though I expected having to navigate through two. They seemed to be really desperate. All the better for me I guess.

Congratulations! What skill set do you bring that they need?

 

[Cheetah]

Wait, is that a thing, thank you notes after interviews? Maybe it's an American thing? In the UK, I think it'd be seen as a little forward, unless the interview was given as some sort of personal favour.

Thank you! I had never heard of it before BJ started talking about it, and was wondering if I had missed out on this trick my whole life. I'll assume it's a purely American thing then.

In the US, for higher level positions, it is a smart move and generally encouraged by recruiters. It shows courtesy to those who took the time to interview you and gives you one more chance to let them know you are interested in the job. Will it actually tip the balance your way? That is hard to say, but since the effort is minimal, it is worth doing. A text or email is not a substitute for a handwritten thank you note.

Oh, I'm sure it works for recognition. I just think it would appear absolutely over the top anywhere I've applied or considered applying.

What higher-level positions? C-levels?

 

[Birdjaguar]

I have sent thank you notes for every position where the job involved any of the following: staff supervision; significant financial responsibility for sales or costs or both; reporting to C level staff; reporting to a Board of Directors.

Such notes should not be long. They should include a thank you, a remembrance from the interview, a compliment for the team or company, and a statement that you are still interested in the job.

 

[Cheetah]

All of which sound like a really smart move.

But as a Norwegian, I feel like this is where there is a complete cultural collision, where I can see the American point, but there's just no way I'd be comfortable in doing so.

I can only assume, all the time I have never been involved in a hiring process so far, that a thank-you note would seem completely over the top, and signal that the applicant is trying to hard.

I think I would like to do this when I've been to interviews, but I doubt I'll have the courage to ever do it.

 

[Birdjaguar]

The way to try it out would be to send a very soft sell note along these lines:

Dear Mr. Norway,

Thank you for the opportunity I had to visit Oslo Inc. last week. It was both fun and interesting learning about your company and its successes.

Best regards


Be the first to start a new trend!!!

 

[Atticus]

It's funny how different cultures can be in this respect. I would never send a thank you letter, since the implicit message would in my mind be "I bother you with zero information". Of course I understand that a habit is habit though. Saying "thank you" is zero information, but it would sill be rude to not do so.

Just landed a job without any interview, even though I expected having to navigate through two. They seemed to be really desperate. All the better for me I guess.

Don't want to sound too pessimistic, but sometimes a desperate employer can mean that the job is lousy.

 

[Tahuti]

Congratulations! What skill set do you bring that they need?

Accuracy. I'm am going to be a desk monkey for a while before I will resume my studies.