November 2009Get a Job!By Mauri SchwartzThe View asked Hill resident and career expert Mauri Schwartz, President / CEO of Career Insiders,www.CareerInsiders.com, to answer questions from job seekers. Submit your questions to editor@potreroview.net. A first interview is like a first date. You’re each determining if there’s a personality (company) fit, if you have the desired traits (required skills), and if you want a second date (the next interview). Ultimately, the dates may lead to a long term relationship (a job). Q: I have an interview coming up. What advice can you give me? A: The most important advice I can offer is to prepare, prepare, prepare. Research the company, review the job description and requirements, and describe how your qualifications match each job function and requirement. Write your answers down in complete sentences and review them. Practice out loud. Be sure you can present your qualifications articulately and succinctly. Q: I’ve always heard I should send a thank you letter after an interview, but what should I say? Is it better to send a hand written note or a formal letter? A: I want to reinforce the advice to send a thank you letter; it’s a must! Sending a thank you note shows thoughtfulness, respect, and courtesy. It helps the person remember you better. Send it as soon as possible after your interview, and do so by email. Ask for business cards from every person who interviewed you to ensure that you have their full contact information. Sending an email is the fastest way to get your message to your intended recipients. If you interviewed with more than one person, write each a separate message. Don’t send one message addressed to all. By using the 4R format, you’ll be able to show your appreciation for the opportunity to interview, indicate your enthusiasm, and reemphasize your qualifications. The Four R’s are: Remember: Help the interviewer remember you. Reinforce: Review your assessment of the interview and re-state aspects of your skills, achievements and background which aroused positive interest. Recoup: This is an opportunity to improve an answer to a question in the interview or to add something you forgot to say; to recoup your losses. Remind: Gently remind the interviewer of a commitment s/he made to you. The letter should be no longer than a half page if typed into a Word document. Be sure that you’ve spelled the recipient’s name correctly and double check your grammar and spelling. |
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