Following up after an interview is a very important step to further demonstrate your interest to the employer. It’s usually a two-step process and, if done correctly, is an easy way to increase your chances for the position.
Within two business days after the interview, send a formal thank you note. Depending on the company culture you sensed, you can send either a typed note, or a hand-written letter that adds a personal touch. Keep it brief and professional. Thank them for taking the time to speak with you and reiterate your interest in the position. Then, reference at least one thing they told you about the position during the interview that made you particularly excited. Email thank-you’s can be appropriate if that has been your main method of communication with the interviewer.
Next comes part two of the follow-up. Once several days have passed from when the company said they’d get back to you, feel free to send an email or call. Be extremely polite, never pushy. Simply inquire about the status of their decision. If they’re still in the process of deciding, tell them you look forward to hearing from them before hanging up. It’s a subtle reminder of you as a candidate and may hurry the process along.
Emailing has become more simple and more complicated through the years. New features have been added and new etiquette has been established. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when using email as a professional tool of communication. These rules can apply to any project, whether it’s in the workplace, at an internship or even for a group project in school.
- Know when the issue at hand requires a more immediate form of communication. Scheduling a meeting time for more than four people? Solving a complicated problem? Need the right answer ASAP? Phone calls or meeting in person are much more efficient tactics in these cases.
- Make sure all the key players will be receiving the email or will be CC’d on it. Sometimes when we’re stressed or working too quickly we forget things. While understandable, this could end up losing you precious time if an important person is left uninformed for too long.
- Be brief, while still being professional. Don’t use strange abbreviations or slang, but bullets and lists are welcomed when people’s inboxes are overflowing. You’ll get more positive reactions from people if you don’t serve them extensive blocks of text.
- Use attachments wisely. Avoid filling people’s inboxes with too many files or files that take up a lot of space. Use zip files to compress the size and make downloading and organizing them easy for the receiver.
What other email tips do you have?
College Aftermath: A site devoted to the time of transition after college. It references things like jobs, relationships and general life issues.
There is Life After College Graduation: An inspirational article about the transition and how to move forward into the unknown.
Transitions Abroad: Information on working abroad after you graduate, with practical advice like how to get your parents on board.
Projects Abroad: Learn about lots of volunteer programs abroad.
Top 5 Reasons to Travel After Graduation: Read about why this is the most opportune time for travel.
What other articles or resources have you found helpful for this time of transition?
Coming back to our last topic, the senior year spring freakout, let’s address those who have no idea what next year will bring. There are a few different types of anxiety we need to account for.
1. You still have no idea what you want to do for a living. In this case, you need to proactively seek out the career path that will fulfill you. Don’t worry, this decision can be definitely be changed throughout your life. Start by going to the career advisor on your campus and discussing what your skills can be applied to. Talk to your parents’ friends about what they do. Most importantly, speak with young adults you know who have already entered the workforce. A lot of them probably work in entry-level positions that need to be filled every year. Get the lowdown on their companies.
2. You still don’t feel ready to settle down in a career with an 8-5 routine. Try a career study abroad program. Though these do cost money to partake in, you typically get placed in an internship that you couldn’t get on your own. This means you and your parents can rest on the idea that you’re adding something impressive to your resume. Most importantly, you’ll be experiencing a new country and culture at the same time. For many, this can be a great transition from college life to the workforce.
3. The combo anxiety option: You don’t know what you want to do and you’re not ready to settle down. You need an eye-opening experience to charge you into action. Volunteer programs and things like Teach for America are excellent options. A lot of volunteer programs take place in other countries or in other parts of the U.S. These opportunities can open your eyes to issues you never knew you cared about, skills you didn’t realize you had, and new things you love to do.
It’s that time of the year for seniors—the dreaded last month of college. The point in life where the fun ends and the long hours of work begin. The point where time is running out to decide what your next move will be…
Whoa whoa whoa! If those are the thoughts running through your mind, you need to take a step back, relax and look at the big picture! Sure college was a blast, but the next chapter in your life will be just as exciting if you have the right attitude. First, let’s talk about those who know what they’re doing next year.
Starting your career, whatever it may be, is a time for meeting new people and setting up a new routine. Though your free time won’t be as extensive, you still have weekends and evenings to fill as you please. You might even start filling them with activities with your new co-workers. Happy hours, golf, coffee anyone? Stop thinking about your new career as a job and focus on what it really is: the culmination of years of school, college, internships, volunteering and exploring your options finally paying off! Your professional life is just beginning and it can be as exciting as college was in different ways.
Not starting in the career you hoped for? Don’t let it get you down. You’re not alone in this poor economic time and you have years and years ahead of you to travel other career paths. Work hard no matter what. You never know when another opportunity will open in that company or another company that suits you better. And when that happens, you want your boss to think highly of you and give you a good recommendation!
Tell us what you’re doing already to make the transition a positive one.
Stay tuned for our next post if you’re graduating and still don’t have a concrete plan. We’ve got tips for you to stay calm and get the ball rolling faster.
This is a new feature we’re implementing at 1stGig.com. We know you come to us for the best advice out there on landing your career, so we want to provide you with as many resources as possible. If you still have questions or concerns on this week’s topic, phone etiquette, check out what these other bloggers and articles have to say!
What Does Your Voicemail Greeting Say About You?
Professional Voicemail Messages
Tell us your inside sources on this topic too!
If an employer leaves you a voicemail, the obvious next step is to call him or her back. There is etiquette involved here as well. When they answer the phone, greet them by name. Use Mr. Or Ms. unless your previous communication has been on a first name basis. If you have any question about pronouncing their name, don’t call them directly. Instead, call the company’s general line and ask the receptionist to pronounce the name for you before they transfer you. Then, briefly state your full name and why you’re calling. Before hanging up, give a friendly goodbye.
Greeting Example: Hi Mr. Johnson. This is Karen Brown. I’m returning your call from this morning about the communications position.
Closing Example: That sounds great, I’m looking forward to hearing more about the position. See you Tuesday.
If you reach their voicemail, the etiquette is basically the same. But leave your phone number again to make calling you back even more convenient.
Voicemail Example: Hi Mr. Johnson. This is Karen Brown. I’m returning your call from this morning about the communications position. I’d love to speak with you about it so please give me a call back at your convenience. Again, my number is 762-555-4890. I look forward to hearing from you.
What other tips or resources do you have for phone communication?
For those in the midst of applying to careers or internships, you’re probably trying hard to make good first impressions all around. Don’t forget about the impression your voicemail message makes! It’s very likely that your voicemail greeting will be the first time an employer hears your voice.
Inside jokes with your friends, laughing, stories and sound effects do not belong in your message. Keep it short and sweet. An easy formula to follow is: Hi this is (first and last name). I’m not at my phone right now, but please leave your name and number and I’ll get back to you soon.
You can modify the language slightly to make it more natural, but be sure you speak in a friendly voice when you record it. Also, listen to it before applying it as your greeting. This ensures you don’t go six months not knowing that your recording cuts off in the middle or something.
Have any funny voicemail stories or other tips to share?
So you know what you’re wearing. That’s the first step, but to be fully prepared for an interview, you should gather a few things. Always bring a copy of your resume. A day or two before the interview, print out enough copies for everyone who will be attending the interview. Also ahead of time, decide whom you would like to provide as references.
Think back to your previous employers, supervisors and professors and choose three who you feel would praise you and your skills. Type up each reference’s name, title, company and phone number. Remember, you should always contact your references first and ensure they’re willing to speak on your behalf. Once you sit down with your interviewer, offer these items right away. It can help the conversation flow better if he or she is looking down at your experience while you explain it.
Other visual aids can be effective as well. Aside from your resume, feel free to bring examples of work you’ve done in the past that illustrates how you could be successful in the new position. If you’re working in a creative field, a portfolio of work is essential. Anything you bring should be well organized inside a professional portfolio binder or a briefcase. If you want to show digital work, bring your laptop, but make sure it is well charged and all pertinent files are already open on the desktop.
Most people know the basics of ‘dress to impress’ regarding a career interview. The issue is that not all businesses are the same. If you work for a law office, the dress guidelines will differ from those of someone working at an advertising agency. It is always better to be overdressed than underdressed, but your apparel choice is another way to show how you fit in at a company.
If you’re applying to a place where suits are a must, check out this article entitled, Appropriate Interview Attire. The writer leaves no stone unturned, discussing clothing, shoes, hairstyle, accessories, outerwear and more. Now don’t stress if your outfit doesn’t fit these extremely precise criteria. Use it as a guideline for your outfit, adhering more strictly to its advice depending on the level of professionalism expected at the company.
For those seeking a position in a more creative field, the dress code may be more lax at your company of choice. Many even allow jeans. You, as a potential employee, are not granted that luxury until you’re hired. The dress to impress rule differs in these cases though. If you know the dress code is more relaxed, don’t feel the need to wear a suit. Ladies: dress professionally with a skirt or trousers and an appropriate blouse. Men: trousers, shirt and tie. The other difference here is that putting forth your creative personality through your outfit is encouraged. Choose one or two smaller aspects of your outfit that make a statement. Keep your shirt and pants professional, but add a splash of flavor in other ways through your glasses, a purse, tie, shoes etc.
