by Sunny Simon
The other day I had lunch with my friend Sonia. She told me a fascinating story that caused me to fist pump a big YES! It all started a few months ago when we discussed her son Dale’s job search. Immediately I went into coaching mode and offered up some suggestions relative to interview follow-ups.
My advice in more than one article published in the CV Weekly regarding communicating with the hiring manager, or Human Resources, after the interview is consistent. DO IT! You should reach out initially to thank the interviewers for their time and reiterate your interest in the position. If a recruiter or hiring manager tells you a decision will be made by a certain date and you hear nothing, feel free to check-in. Send a short, polite email asking the status.
Perhaps the scenario is, you received notice and it was not the message you wanted to hear. The offer was extended to another candidate. Should you just scratch the company off your list and move on? Not necessarily. Sonia’s son had a different strategy. Dale contacted the hiring manager and in a very respectful manner asked why he did not get the job. He was told the job was filled by a relative of someone who worked there. Fair enough. Sometimes we are lucky enough to have inside advocates. Dale thanked the manager for the information and asked to stay on the employer’s radar screen for any future opportunity.
Sometimes the story ends here. Sometimes not. A few weeks later Dale received an offer from another company. After he was happily employed for a few weeks, Company A phoned inviting Dale to a breakfast meeting. You guessed it. The firm was interested in him for an upcoming position. Now Dale was at a crossroad. Interview with Company A, or thank them for their interest and stay with Company B.
I don’t know the end of the story, but it really doesn’t matter. The lesson is: always leave the door open. Begin with a thank you follow-up and take it all the way to conclusion. If you did not get the job, find out why. Need to cultivate another skill? Take a course and be ready for the next time.
As Dale’s example proved, letting an employer know they are on your “A List” is a solid professional strategy. You have nothing to lose and perhaps everything to gain. Give it a try! Sunny Simon is the owner of Raise the Bar High Life and Career Coaching. More about Sunny at www.raisethebarhigh.com
