The Post-Interview Written Thank-You
No duty is more urgent than that of returning thanks.
~ James Allen
You’ve reached the end of your interview, or in some cases several interview sessions. Do you feel as though you’ve nailed it and the prize is yours? Or aren't you sure? In any case, now is not the time to drop the ball! You need to implement your follow-up strategy, starting with your written thank-you.
The Panel Interview
Opportunity dances with those who are already on the dance floor.
~ H. Jackson Brown, Author, Life's Little Instruction Book
Panel interviews have become popular with many companies because it involves various stakeholders in the hiring process for a particular position and often cuts down on or eliminates the need for successive interviews. The panel interview can save time and money for everyone involved, including the candidate.
Building Rapport with Your Interviewer
You want to work with people who you like
and have an easy rapport with.
~ Mike White, Writer, Actor, Producer
Building rapport with your interviewer is crucial to a successful outcome. You’ll recall that this is one of the 12 Hot Tips for Making A Show Stopper of a First Impression that I mentioned in a previous entry.
The truth is people prefer to work with those they like and with whom they get along, identify and have something in common. With this principle in mind, the following dozen techniques, and some reminders, can help you to build rapport with your interviewer:
Those Sticky, Tricky Interview Questions
Why Should We Hire You?
This question has stymied many candidates. And it's not the only one. Recently, I had a conversation with career counselor Lyn Nelson, who enlightened me with her insight on the hot topic of interview questions. Today's post combines Lyn's insight with my experiences on both sides of the interview desk.
12 Hot Tips for Making A Show Stopper of a First Impression
Be Nice to the Receptionist (see Tip 6) and 11 Other Hot Tips
As we continue our Job Search Series after a break for National Etiquette Week and a guest post last week by fellow business etiquette authority John Daly, today’s focus is on providing a show-stopper first impression at the company to which you are interviewing. Here are a dozen tips and reminders to help you dazzle your interviewer, and progress to the second interview -- or to the job:
By John Daly of The Key Class – Reprinted with permission of the
author and Noozhawk. View the original article on noozhawk.com
Several weeks ago, I watched a 60 Minutes segment entitled “Years Up.” It focused on an organization helping youth to get internships. It is very much on target with The Key Class. What struck me in this piece was this group’s emphasis on “hiring for skills and firing for behavior.”
A week or so later, I read with interest a guest blog for Extraordinary Events, written by my long-time friend, Bonnie Siegel, the founder and CEO of ASE Group, an event production firm based in Overland Park, Kan. In it, Siegel takes a slightly different approach to hiring the best and the brightest.
A degree will get your foot in the door; good manners will open it.
~ Jeanne Nelson
You might recognize the above quote as the motto of my etiquette consultancy and training brand, PROWESS Workshops (Protocol for the Workplace and Etiquette for Social Situations). As we observe National Etiquette Week 2014, it’s important to remember that the underpinnings of etiquette – respect, kindness and consideration for others – are also the most prized qualities sought by employers of job candidates and employees. Today, employers are looking for attitude over aptitude, and that says a lot about the importance of good manners and the practice of proper etiquette.
What Men Should Wear
“Vestis virum facit.” ~ Erasmus (c. 1466-1536)
“What a strange power there is in clothing.”
~ Isaac Bashevis Singer (1904-1991)
What Women Should Wear
“Good clothes open all doors.” ~ Thomas Fuller (1608-1661)
"Dress shabbily and they remember the dress;
dress impeccably and they remember the woman."
~ Coco Chanel (1883-1971)
Thomas Fuller and the great Coco Chanel were right. There's no question of the importance of clothes to one’s image, no matter your age or the circumstances. It's no different in the workplace, where your brand will help you to gain respect, admiration and career advancement. There are few more important occasions when the way you dress will help determine your future than the job interview. Consequently, an investment of thought, time and a little money will be essential to your success.
Interview Prep
“One important key to success is self-confidence.
An important key to self-confidence is preparation.” – Arthur Ashe
In a recent poll of chief financial officers nearly half said that job candidates make the most mistakes during the interview. Swell, you say, just what I needed to hear. But, you needn’t worry; if you adopt the tips and techniques offered in this Job Search Series, you’ll be better prepared -- and increase your confidence -- to nail the interview.
Jeanne Nelson 