|
 
Previous Step Next Step
|
Waiting for the Decision
You feel good about the interview, but you haven’t heard back from the Employer.
You wait….re-evaluate the interview……re-assess your answers……… wait……..feel a sense of frustration and impatience……..and continue to wait. Right?
Wrong. If the Employer indicated you will hear back within 2 weeks and it is now a few days past, it is very acceptable for you to followup by email or telephone. Introduce yourself to the Employer, remind him/her of the interview and position, and politely enquire if a decision has been made.
If a decision has not been made, reaffirm your interest in the role and ask when you can expect to hear from them. Continue with your job search in the meantime.
If yes, they have hired another candidate:
You may at first experience a pang of disappointment, anger or resentment. However, when looking for work, you are always being interviewed. Speaking unprofessionally at this stage would only reaffirm their decision not to hire you. Instead:
- Express your appreciation for the interview opportunity, and how you’ve gained a deeper appreciation for the organization.
- Ask for feedback –
Are there ways in which I can improve my interviewing presentation?
Can you suggest some courses or training that would improve my skills?
Is there someone else you know who may be looking to hire someone with my qualifications?
- Be professional and courteous throughout the conversation.
The Job Offer
The phone rings….you have been offered the job!
- Listen carefully, take notes and ask questions to clarify your understanding.
- Unless you feel totally confident about the offer, do not accept right on the spot. Instead, ask if you can think about it overnight and call back the next morning/afternoon. A reputable employer will give you time to decide.
- Are you happy with the terms? Do you wish to negotiate? If so, be ready to ask for what you think you are worth and/or what you need….and you must also defend your position intelligently.
- Determine ahead of time: what will you do if they do not accept your terms? Are there other factors such as training, vacation time or immediate eligibility for benefits that you would be happy with?
- Once you have arrived at a mutual agreement, reaffirm your interest in the position and your confidence to learn and make a great contribution to the company.
Handling Rejection
The rollercoaster of anticipation before the interview……the nervousness during the interview……the anticipation after the interview, and then ……....disappointment.
It’s a feeling many candidates are familiar with --- whether they have 2 years or 25 years of experience.
In your mind, you know that it’s a business decision, but you can’t help but take it personally. Before you start the downward spiral, here are a few tips to help you cope:
- Separate emotion from logic -- do your best not to personalize it. Remember that with each job to be filled, 99% of the candidates are rejected.
- Ask for constructive feedback on what you can improve for the next time. Take it as a learning experience, and try not to become defensive. Accept the fact that you may not have, or ever have, all the answers or reasons why you were rejected. It happens.
- Surround yourself with positive people who can offer you a morale boost.
- Try again, one piece at a time, one day at a time and celebrate the small successes.
- Turn your setback into a comeback – focus forward. Take action and know that if your skills weren’t a perfect match for this job, they will be for the next …or the next. Take charge and drive forward.
- Think of the past interview as a dress rehearsal, an opportunity to fine tune your presentation skills to prepare you for the next better job.
- Remember its only temporary. You will look back at this in future from a better vantage point.
back to top
|
