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Job Searching: Is it a Good Sign When….?

HomeTag "Interview Advice"
Job Searching: Is it a Good Sign When….?
August 11 2016 nfougere Job Search 0 comments Tags: Interview Advice, interview tips, Job Search Advice, Job Search Tips

I have received a number of questions from job seekers asking if there are certain key indicators that would suggest that they will be successful in moving along the recruitment life cycle.  Specifically, I was asked if a positive response to a thank you letter, questions of salary and availability, and/or discussions of next steps would be a good sign.

As usual, the short answer is: it depends.  Let’s look at each of these indicators in more detail to see if there are any insights you can glean.

Possible Good Signs

Taking a look at the three indicators I am most commonly asked about, we have:

  1. Positive Response from Thank You Letter – it is not necessary to respond to a thank you letter. That said, I was recently asked if this is a good sign, or indicator, that you would be selected for a next round interview.  Unfortunately, it isn’t necessarily an indicator that you would be moving forward.  However, it could be a good indicator of the company culture.  At the very least, it is a strong indication of the attitude of the responder.  This is also a good indicator that the responder likes you, which is always positive, regardless of the outcome.
  2. Questions on Salary and/or Availability – this indicator depends on timing. For instance, during a telephone interview or pre-screen, the interviewer may ask about these line items simply because they need the information to make a short-list decision.  As such, this alone is not an indicator that you are likely to move forward in the process (unless otherwise mentioned).  On the other hand, if you are asked about salary and/or availability during a final round interview, this may be a strong indicator that you are being seriously considered for the role.  This is especially true if the conversation becomes more like a negotiation.
  3. Next Steps Discussion – a common question asked of interviewers is that of next steps. Many interviewers, anticipating this question, will simply outline the next steps in their recruitment process.  In this case, it should not be considered an indication either way of your candidacy.  If, however, the interviewer informs you of next steps and schedules a next round interview, then you know that you are still in the running.

Although each of these key indicators are potentially good signs that you would be moving forward in the recruitment process, it is important to consider these indicators in the context of timing.

Final Thoughts

Unless and until you have a job offer in hand, it is important to continue along your job search journey.  Anything can happen in the recruitment process that could result in you no longer being in the running for a particular position – even in spite of the positive indicators that you might receive.

 

I hope you found this post helpful.  If you have any additional insights, or would like to share your experience, I’d love to hear from you.

For personalized advice, click here.

Until next time, happy hunting!

 

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How to Turn an Interview Rejection into a Networking Opportunity
August 07 2016 nfougere Job Search 0 comments Tags: Interview Advice, Interview rejection, Networking

For anyone who has gone through the process of interviewing for jobs, you know that rejection comes with the territory.  But, as the saying goes, when a door closes, a window opens.  In the case of a job interview rejection, the window of opportunity is that of networking or generating job leads.

Steps to Generate a Networking Contact

Being rejected after an interview is never fun, but it doesn’t have to be the end of the story.  Here are some key steps you can take to turn that rejection into a networking or job lead opportunity:

  1. Ask for Feedback – as a best practice, ask your contact person for feedback on your interview performance. Having constructive feedback will help you pinpoint those areas that need improvement.
  2. Attitude of Gratitude – think of the feedback you receive as a gift. It is aimed at helping you improve, which in turn will help you potentially land your next job.  As such, thank the person providing you with the feedback, assure them that you will focus your attention on improving in the area(s) they listed, and then ask them to keep you in mind for opportunities they hear of within their organization or network.
  3. Follow Up – although you may ask for feedback, you may not always receive it. If you haven’t heard anything in about a week, send a follow-up email expressing your continued interest in the organization and passion for the chosen career.  You can also ask your contact to keep you in mind for any opportunities they hear of within their organization or network (as per above).  Finally, in your email, you can also invite your contact to provide any feedback that would help you improve moving forward.

It may feel uncomfortable to ask for leads, but bear in mind, recruiters do this all the time.  When I worked as a recruiter and a candidate indicated that they were not interested in an opportunity I was trying to fill, then I would always ask that person for referrals.  In much the same way, if you find yourself out of the running for one job, then you can ask for job leads.

Be sure to keep in touch with those who have provided you with feedback and/or referrals.  Send them an update on your job search, especially when you land your next job.

Final Thought

As I have mentioned in previous posts, you never know who you might know who could lead to your next job.  Tapping into the network of a person you interviewed with may prove to be the window of opportunity you need.  As such, don’t limit your ask to just a hiring manager.

 

I hope you found this post helpful.  If you have any additional insights, or would like to share your experience, I’d love to hear from you.

For personalized advice, you click here.

Until next time, happy hunting!

 

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#1 Job Interview Skill – Listening
June 23 2016 nfougere Interviews 0 comments Tags: Interview Advice, Interview Skills, interview tips

Having been in recruitment since 1997, I have interviewed thousands of people.  In many cases, I would ask a question and the person being interviewed would give me all kinds of wonderful information, but not actually answer the question.  Not only does this demonstrate to the interviewer poor listening skills, but it is also very frustrating to the interviewer.

 

We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.

― Epictetus

 

Benefits of Using Finely Tuned Listening Skills

As mentioned in previous posts, it is imperative that you are prepared and practiced before your interview.  You should be well prepared with your career success stories and war stories.  By doing so, you can answer the interview question with a relevant answer.

It is also important to use your eyes when listening.  In other words, it is important to watch the interviewer’s body language.  As such, you will be better able to engage the interviewer in a back and forth dialogue or conversation.

Finally, using your finely tuned listening skills will enable you to assess the organization as a potential employer.

The bottom line is that by using your listening skills, you will be presenting the best version of yourself and you will be memorable – in a good way.

 

Until next time, happy hunting!

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