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How important is the thank-you letter? Thank-you letters have been found to be the only correlation between people who are looking for positions and those who get hired. They've been found to correlate even more than qualifica¬tions, amount of experience, or even degree of interest.What is involved in a good thank-yon letter? This is usually personal, explaining your interest in the position (you could have changed your mind!), referring to a topic which was discussed, or providing more indicators of how well you'll fit in. More information about your qualifications, an example of your work, and alternative solutions to a problem which you learned of during the interview would all be appropriate. This letter serves to concisely remind the employer about you at the time of the employment decision.
When should I send it? Ideally, you want them to receive it when they are comparing applicants. Usually this takes place from several days to several weeks after your interview, depending upon how far along the selection process was.
Is timing important? Yes. Most job processes, including selections and applicant review, are RANDOM. The most qualified applicant is frequently buried beneath those who were a bit more aggressive and marketed themselves more effectively. Hence, the more leads you pursue, the greater your chances are of success. The final element in selection often tends to be the personality mix between you, your manager, and the work group.
Why is the personality mix so important? For the employer it is the difference between a team member and a headache. For you, it is probably the single most important element of a pleasant and successful first job. After all, you don't have extensive technical skills to make you invaluable in your job. You're still green.
How can I be persistent without being overbearing? Proper follow-up is more a matter of the right timing, not the quantity of contacts. Ask when the decision is being made, or check back when you feel your resume has been reviewed or the hiring decision is being made.
What should I do if I think I'm being stalled? Employers often put an applicant on hold. This may be because they are waiting for final approval of the position or because they think they can attract more qualified applicants if they delay. You can force the issue subtly by alluding to another job offer, or you can be more blatant by giving a date by which you need to know their decision. Either method indicates you have a sense of value and self-worth and are not willing to be put off. Be careful, though, not to appear too demanding.
/ was rejected, but I have no idea why. Chances are small that you'll ever get the real reason. If you ask, you will be told the reason that you expect to hear. No one likes to argue with a rejected applicant. If, however, you felt that you did have a good chance, you should persist and acquire information that can help you for your next interview. The feedback as to how you came across is essential to keep you from working in a vacuum. Remember that the entire job-hunting process can be a learning experience, and the potential for learning is greatest with rejections.
How should I deal with rejection? Become busy when you start to feel low. The extra activity will generally carry you through until things get better. Take a break or try a change of pace for a day or two.
What else? If you get an offer, remember that it is on a contractual basis and get all your cards on the table. Do you plan to go home for three weeks within two months? Can you push for an early performance review or extra training? When can you expea a salary increase? Most important of all: be grateful and determined to succeed at the opportunity.
