Saturday, February 25, 2012

What is the #1 interview mistake?

You landed the interview, your ready. You have done your homework and you think that your exactly what they are looking for. You know all about the company, you know what they have to offer, you know that you mesh well and would be a fantastic add. Suit on....check. Extra resume's......check. Your early....check.









Times have certainly changed when it comes to interviewing practices, both on the part of the employer and the candidate. I certainly fall into the category of the etiquette from the past. I wouldn't even consider wearing jeans or chino's to an interview, I am always in a Suit thank you very much. I have always decided where I wanted to work first and certainly not just randomly applying to places just to get a job. I take my time, trying to investigate if we would make a good fit. However, in today's ever growing youth, the lax attitude and disrespect means that gone are the days when you were prompt, you were dressed and wanted a career and merely not a job.

But what do you do when the interview is over? You have made an incredible first impression. You have answered the questions all correctly in your opinion, you have a great rapport with the interviewer and you think you nailed the interview. Now all I have to do is merely wait for the call and I am hired.
WRONG!!! What you do in these next crucial first 24 hrs is really going to set you apart from everyone else. WRITE THE THANK YOU LETTER!! Whether you have successfully spent the last 40 minutes meeting in their offices or you are halfway around the world and have used today's technologies of a Skype interview, or, like so many companies are doing first, the covenanted telephone interview, WRITE THE THANK YOU LETTER.



You don't have to write a love letter, a quick e-mail will do, doesn't have to be involved, the truth is, the shorter the better. Just thank them. They took time you desperately needed and you need to show your appreciation. Sometimes, all it takes to get you to the top of the pile is a few sentences. The interviewer will think you are:

  • Not interested in the job
  • Disorganized and forgot all about doing it
  • There is a huge chance you will be forgotten 
You have put so much into this, take a few moments and create some magic, you never know what a little appreciation can do.



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