Skip to content

UXL Blog

“Creating Successful Leaders”

Category Archives: Tips for the Job Hunt

December 8, 2011 10 Things to Do AFTER the Interview

By Margaret Smith, UXL
SPEAKER | CAREER COACH | CERTIFIED INSIGHTS DISCOVERY PRACTITIONER

I’ve written and spoken a lot about the tactics for interview preparation and performance that will give you a competitive edge. But there are things you can do after the interview that might up your chances of getting that “We would like to offer you the position” phone call.

These 10 tips for interview follow-up from careerbuilder.com are great reminders of the little steps that can generate huge results:

1. Show that You Are Still Interested:

As I often remind workshop attendees and my coaching clients, you have got to ask for the job at the end of the interview. Make a statement such as, “I would really like to contribute to this company and I hope you select me.” And don’t forget to gather a clear idea of what will happen next in the hiring process. Will there be another interview? When should you expect a call back?

2. Set the Stage for Further Contact:

Don’t let your silence as days pass be interpreted as indifference. Before leaving the interview, find out what the employer prefers in terms of checking in.

3. Be Punctual:

If you’ve made any promises, such as forwarding a list of references, make sure you do it in a timely manner to demonstrate your seriousness and professionalism.

4. Know When to Sit Tight:

If the interviewer requests that you follow up by phone in a week, respect this request. Calling or emailing any sooner could come off as pushy and disrespectful.

5. Send a Thank You Note:

A positive, thoughtful way to remain in an employer’s mind is to send a handwritten thank you note after the interview. I’ve even heard some professionals suggest that bringing a card to fill out in the lobby post-interview to drop at the front desk is a quick and original touch.

6. Send Each Interviewer a Personalized, Powerful Follow-up Letter:

In this letter, include specific references to each person you met and tie your accomplishments directly to the company’s stated challenges, suggests Ford L. Myers, career coach and author of “Get the Job You Want, Even When No One’s Hiring”.

7. Address one of the Company’s Needs:

Companies are interested in hiring people who will not only adopt their tried-and-true business tactics, but who will also answer some of their pressing business challenges. Consider creating a proposal on how you would address one of the company’s weaknesses or areas of possible expansion.

8. Keep Thinking and Learning about the Company:

Don’t stop researching the company and its field just because the interview is over. Continuing to learn gives you something substantial to contribute to any follow-up conversations and demonstrates your interest in the opening.

9. Leverage Outside Resources:

Networking should never stop. “If you have contacts and connections with anyone who might influence the hiring decision, or who actually knows the interviewer, ask her to put a good word in for you,” Myers says.

10. Accept Rejection with Grace:

Never burn bridges when facing the message, “We regret to inform you that we’ve decided to go with another candidate.” Keep your response positive and even consider sending a thank-you email or letter thanking the employer for the opportunity and the follow-through.

Do you have questions about developing your career, business, or landing the job of your dreams? Would your career benefit from informed advice about finding more customers and building a network that gives back? Contact UXL Today to transform the future of your business or career through guided professional coaching.

Tags: , , , , ,

December 5, 2011 The Decline of Fulltime and the Rise of the “Joblet”

By Margaret Smith, UXL
SPEAKER | CAREER COACH | CERTIFIED INSIGHTS DISCOVERY PRACTITIONER

According to an article titled “The Joblet Recovery” in INC. Magazine, “48 percent of Americans believe that since the financial crisis, we have become more capable of starting our own businesses.” The fact that people, post-economic slump, have gotten creative in their effort to make a living is undeniable. I, sitting here at my home office, am a living, breathing example of it. Every week I come into contact with dozens of professionals that have struck off on their own and now work as entrepreneurs, E-lancers, freelancers, and contract laborers instead of their former 9-5 employment.

In response to the market’s elimination of jobs and hesitation to reinstate new full-time positions, people all over the country are finding themselves in a situation where they’re required to wear many hats and learn to market themselves and their skills. Instead of focusing on the set list of skills they used at their previous post, individuals have begun to pursue handfuls of “joblets” that utilize a plethora of skills.

A huge part of an individual’s success as a freelancer, contract worker, or entrepreneur has to do with their ability to land a job or client. Individuals are no longer able to focus solely on their skills as they search for work. Instead, they are required to develop their ability to market themselves.

Learning to market yourself is not an easy task—not everyone has had professional sales experience, nor have they necessarily spent a lot of time on personal branding. Because of this, I have decided to share 3 important don’ts of selling that were recently published in INC. Magazine that may help the burgeoning group of self-employers to up their game:

Three things you never want to do—if you want to close (from INC. Magazine)

Do Not Dump Your Marbles on the Table:
When you enter a preliminary meeting it’s easy to be intimidated and your natural inclination may be to “get it all out,” as John Deal explains. Instead, Deal urges you “introduce yourself, and listen and figure out why they think they’re there and why you’re there.” Never recreate what’s on a brochure or become an “infomercial guy”. Get people talking to create partnerships.

Do Not Work So Hard Closing that You Close the Door:
Even if the deal does not go through, it is essential that you work to keep these potential customers or clients as advocates of your business. Deal explains that he maintains this relationship by sending Christmas cards and inviting people to receive his newsletter. “You’re making them part of your team instead of being a customer,” he says.

Do Not Be Afraid to Recommend Someone Else’s Business or Product:
Recognize when you may not fit the needs of a potential client and refrain from trying to reshape their needs to a service you offer. If you make a practice of referring them to others, you make friends in the industry. As Deal reminds us, your competitor might eventually do the same for you. If you put the best interest of your customer first, you’ll make money.”

Do you have questions about developing your brand, career, or business? Would your career benefit from informed advice about finding more customers and building a network that gives back? Contact UXL Today to transform the future of your business or career through guided professional coaching.

Tags: , , , , ,

November 23, 2011 5 Major Don’ts (and Some Major Do’s) of the Modern Job Interview

By Margaret Smith
SPEAKER | CAREER COACH | CERTIFIED INSIGHTS DISCOVERY PRACTITIONER
In one of my many back issues of Oprah Magazine I stumbled upon an article that had some tips for the job interview that I think will be very helpful for today’s job hunters.

Most of us are amateurs at making snap judgments; HR professionals do it for a living, and they’re tough! Susan Sommers explains that “a skirt suit is a good bet” and reminds readers that “navy is a softer neutral than black.”

However, corporate clones need not apply. “Be genuine—don’t dress like someone you’re not,” warns Susan Kim, Marketing Manager for a skincare company.

Another great way to boost your confidence and image is to make sure your grooming day-of is meticulous. To compliment this grooming, wear the best accessories you can afford.

5 Major Don’ts:

  1. Don’t wait until the last minute: Anxiety breeds mistakes.
  2. Don’t get a radical haircut or color job: Instead, opt for a trim or salon blow dry.
  3. Forget painful shoes: No matter how cute they are, don’t wear them if they bind, squeeze, droop, or bunch. You want to be as comfortable as possible.
  4. Avoid all black: Color has a persuasive, emotional power that should not be wasted.
  5. Don’t starve yourself beforehand: If the occasion does not include food, you may get lightheaded and really be embarrassed.

As for the men, I always tell my coachees to wear a suit and tie. You can always take the tie off, but it’s difficult to discreetly put a tie on at the last minute! Shoes should be comfortable for men as well, but keep them professional (black sneakers don’t count), and they should be polished.

Many times it’s the little things that make a big difference in those first 3 seconds when perceptions are critical. Invest the time in giving your look a little something that will set you apart in just the right, memorable way.

For more useful tips concerning the job hunt, cover letters, and your career, contact UXL today!

Tags: , , , , ,