You’ve polished your resume, dusted off your suit, applied for jobs everywhere you can think of and then you finally get a call for a phone screen. Maybe this even leads to an in-person interview. You’re excited about the possibilities of this job. You thought the interview went well… Then…wait for it….wait for it…Nothing. Nada. Crickets. Absolute silence. No email, no phone call from the recruiter or the hiring manager. You have no idea what went wrong. It’s not you, it’s them. Or, maybe, just maybe it is you.
What can you do to maintain some control in the hiring process and minimize your frustration in the future?
Here are a few tips.
1) Follow up Begins IN the Interview
As a seasoned recruiter, I have interviewed hundreds of candidates of at various stages of their career. I can probably count on two hands how many people asked about next steps. It is a simple question, to which you should receive an answer, you DESERVE an answer. “What is your interviewing process?” or “When can I expect to hear from you?” or simply “What are the next steps?”.
Most hiring has a plan, a process, and a purpose. The recruiter or hiring manager should be able to answer the question. “We are still interviewing other candidates and should get back to you in one or two weeks” or “You were our final candidate so we should get back to you in 48 hours”.
Bottom line, ask the question so you can get your answer.
2) Close the Deal
In addition to asking for next steps, recruiters RARELY hear a candidate say in the interview that they want the job or that they are very interested and are the right candidate for the job. It is your JOB to convince your interviewer that you are everything they have been looking for and more. Ask for a business card so that you can follow up.
You’ve worked hard on your elevator pitch, but don’t forget about the closing pitch.
3) Stay on top of it
It always surprised me how few job seekers checked in with me after an interview. As much as I wanted to be responsive, sometimes things get in the way. Maybe the job was put on hold and I forgot to tell you, or maybe we had a last minute candidate that was screened after we met you. Things come up. But you will NEVER know where you stand if you don’t stay connected to the process.
If you haven’t heard anything from the recruiter by two weeks, then CALL them. After leaving a message and you don’t receive a return call in 48 hours, then you may email the recruiter. Your message should be simple and to the point. “Hi, this is Elaine. I am following up on my interview and would love to know where you are in the process. I remain very interested in the position. I look forward to hearing from you. Please call me at X”. You NEVER have to worry about bothering the recruiter or seeming too eager, if you follow this pace.
You are in CONTROL of your job search. I know it doesn’t feel like it at times, but if you map out your search in a logical and consistent manner, then you will get results or at least answers to your questions.
About the Author:
After graduating from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Elaine Krehmeyer began a rewarding 24-year career with SunTrust Bank in Atlanta. Elaine worked in the retail division as an Assistant Branch Manager for 8 years while completing her Masters of Business Administration from Georgia State University. She moved into SunTrust’s University Relations team where she worked for 10 years recruiting top talent from dozens of college campuses for multiple lines of business. Elaine advanced to manage the bank’s Investment Banking Training program where she facilitated the hiring, training and mentoring of nearly 200 interns and full time analyst and associates. Using her years of relevant experience, founded Career Revelations in 2014. She brings a unique perspective to the job search and career discovery process targeted to college students and experienced job seekers. Elaine would love to help you get an EDGE in the job search or current career. Please email her at elaine@careerrevelations.com for more information.