Ask-A-Recruiter: Don’t Drop the Ball During The Gaps In A Search
Contributed by Caroline Ceniza-Levine of SixFigureStart
What can I do to better my chances while the employer is thinking it over?
In a job search, there are many gaps: from when you submit your resume to when you interview; from the first interview to subsequent interviews; from offer to close. Don’t drop the ball, and let your target employer forget about you. Use proper follow up to ensure that these gaps don’t interfere with your hiring chances.
Send a prompt thank you note. I know candidates who lose a subsequent interview by not sending a thank you note. While some recruiters don’t care about thank you notes, some recruiters care a lot. They see the lack of a thank you note as a professional misstep and thus a potential red flag. It’s so easy to send one, so just send one.
Send a well-written thank you note. Worse than no thank you note is a hasty and poorly written one. A note replete with typos and grammatical mistakes is bad. A note addressed to a misspelled name or a wrong title is also bad. Get business cards from everyone you meet to ensure that you have correct contact information. Proofread your thank you notes as you would your resume and cover letter.
Respond promptly to all requests. If the employer needs additional information (e.g., reference, writing sample), send these materials promptly. If the employer calls (e.g., to schedule an interview), call back within one business day. I know many candidates who let several days go by before responding. These candidates look disinterested, unresponsive and unprofessional.
Respond completely to all requests. When you mail, email or call, it is necessary to leave your full name, full contact information, and the reason why you are contacting. You cannot assume that the employer will remember who you are, how to reach you, or why you are contacting them. Even if you made the best impression on an employer, they are probably considering other candidates and certainly conducting business other than recruiting for your search. Being professional in your follow through is just as important as being professional in your actual contact with potential employers. These small details are important yet often overlooked.
Get serious about your career with personalized, 1:1 coaching from SixFigureStart (www.sixfigurestart.com). Caroline Ceniza-Levine, co-founder of SixFigureStart, has recruited for Accenture, Booz Allen, Citigroup, Disney ABC, Oliver Wyman, Time Inc, TV Guide and others.
