It was a good interview, but what does it take to close the deal?
It is very important that the employer knows you are genuinely interested in the job. Be persistent; stay in touch.
Be appreciative. After the interview, let the interviewer know how much you appreciated the opportunity to interview and restate your interest. The thank you note is a great medium to convey this message. Make sure you highlight specific skills, personal characteristics, and behaviors that will connect you to the position and make you stand out from other candidates.
It is important that you separate yourself from the other candidates. Relate compelling stories during the interview that demonstrate your ability to do the job. In follow up contacts, reinforce the characteristics that will set you apart from other candidates.
If you are not remembered, you won’t be hired. Yet, it is important to remember that whatever you say and do must be appropriate to the organization.
Hiring managers take notice of creative measures. Following are some examples which illustrate how this creativity resulted in job offers.
Following one interview, a candidate sent the hiring manager a pair of well worn boots with a note explaining that these boots represent the effort that he would put into the job if hired. Within a week he called the hiring manager and asked if he could pick up his boots because he still needed them. The company hired him when he came in to pick up the boots.
Another client attempted several phone and email contacts. Following the interview the client decided to visit the hiring manager in person. He asked a very straightforward question, “Are you going to hire me?” The hiring manager responded, “When can you start?” My client responded, “I brought my lunch.” He started the same day and is currently in a key management position.
One candidate made a positive impression on a hiring manager by preparing a professional report in response to a case study question that she had been asked in the interview. Although she had effectively answered the question in the interview, her extra effort and the thoughtful and professional response impressed the hiring manager and led to a job offer.
Having good references can separate you from the competition, but why wait for the employer to contact your references. Let your references know that you had an interview and ask if they would be willing to call the hiring manager and make a recommendation on your behalf. This is especially effective if your reference is well-known and knows the hiring manager. If you know someone inside the organization who is highly respected, ask that person if they would be willing to recommend you to the hiring manager.
Positive actions influence employers and get results. Persistence, professionalism, and creativity will set you apart from the competition. Be proactive, and improve your chances for landing the job.