ajcjobs > BlogBreak > Archives > 2008 > March > 20 > Entry
What to do when a company strings you along…
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
To avoid a company stringing you along after your interview, there are a few things you should do to minimize that chance. Follow-up is key and many people do not like to do it. Differentiate yourself by professional follow-up that will be sure to increase your chances of closing the deal.
1, At the end of the interview, you should ask the interviewer when they are looking to make a hiring decision for the position.
2, At the end of the interview, you should ask the interviewer (or anyone you spoke with during your visit) for their card. This gives you their name spelled correctly as well as their title, e-mail and mailing address.
3, When you are away from the interview, the follow up begins - first, send the key contact you spoke with an e-mail thanking them for the interview and the information they provided.
4, Next snail mail them a personalized thank you note reiterating points you discussed in the interview and remind them of why you are the perfect person for the position.
5, Contact your referrals to let them know they may be contacted.
6, Continue your job search - remember you do not want to only have one opportunity at a time - it could make you impatient and potentially more aggressive in your job search.
7, Wait a little less than the timeframe they gave you in the interview for making a decision, and then call the person(s) with whom you interviewed and reiterate your interest to remind them of you.
8, Now if they were noncommittal in the call and have given no timeframe in the future as to when they will know, ask them directly when you should make the next contact.
9, Call on the date specified that they suggested you make contact and mention that you are contacting them as requested in regard to the XYZ position with XYZ Company. Ask for any new information.
10, You should have a feel for the interviewer by now. How did the conversation go? You should directly ask if they have made a hiring decision. If they are still making a decision, when is a good time for you to contact them next? These questions should give you the information you need to make a decision on whether or not you still have a chance. It is probably time to make a decision about the position. If it does not seem promising and the hiring manager seems to be giving you the run around, then walk. If it seems the company is doing a more extensive review of your background, hold out.
No matter the decision, be professional. You never know when your professionalism could come back and serve as a benefit in your job search. Nothing is wasted time in a job search process. We all learn new things with every job we go for. Take what you’ve learned and apply it to the next job you go after.
Comments
By HP
March 24, 2008 12:51 PM | Link to this
Sometimes you do all of these things and it still doesn’t pan out. I was two interviews into a position, a great one at that, and I got the dreaded call that things were on hold. It was painful to hear because I knew they liked me and that I had a really good chance of getting the job. It seems to be budgeting issues, which makes me wonder why they didn’t work this out before interviewing, but since I can’t possibly know what the deal is, I just have to move on and keep looking. I am currently employed, and I think it is easier to find work when you already have a job and I am confident things will work out with another company. This job just wasn’t meant to be.