When a Second Follow up Is Appropriate

If you have already followed up after the interview and ...

1. The time frame* within which the employer indicated the next step would occur has passed; or
2. The employer did not indicate a time frame and several weeks have passed since your follow-up, then it may be appropriate to follow up again — in a slightly different manner.

*Ask near the conclusion of an interview as to what the next step would be, and within what time frame this step and/or a decision would be likely. Of course, along with asking this question, be sure to express clearly your interest in the position.

Often, other organizational priorities surface and the hiring process gets delayed (and some companies have a fairly lengthy hiring process). While this can be frustrating, it is often the nature of business. The good news is that a delay may have nothing to do with whether or not the employer views the candidate as the right fit; it may stem from other unrelated issues.

A second follow-up of this nature can be via letter, e-mail, or even telephone. A telephone call is a little more intrusive and may put the employer on the defensive unless you are very tactful; however, it is an option, especially for sales/marketing/public relations types of positions (where tactful tenacity is a desired skill). However you follow up at this stage, reaffirm your interest in the position and ask how the hiring process is proceeding.

Delaying Offer Acceptance to Consider Forthcoming Offers

It is best not to accept more than one offer to avoid burning your bridges for the future. If you wish to delay acceptance of an offer, it is important to express first your appreciation for having received the offer and your strong interest in the position. Next, explain that you are in the process of weighing several offers, and that you want to be certain you make the right choice — for both yourself and the employer. You could suggest a time frame you have given yourself to make a final decision (keep in mind, only a few days to a week or so may be 

considered reasonable), or you could ask the employer in what time frame he or she needs your decision — or both.

Remember, the interviewer is human, and typically rejection is not among our favorite experiences, i.e., an employer does not want someone who doesn't want them. You need to make the focus about this being an excellent opportunity and that you just want to be sure you make the right decision for both of you.

Avoiding the Most Common Interviewing Mistakes

Following are a few tips...

1. Thoroughly prepare for your interviews.
   • Present related skills, talents, and accomplishments confidently.
   • Understand the interviewing strategies used by employers, to respond appropriately to each employer's style of interviewing and perceived requirements of the position.
   • Use two-way communication appropriate for an interview.
   • Prepare your questions in advance.
2. Dress appropriately.
3. Focus on what you can contribute to the organization rather than what the employer can do for you.
4. Don't place blame on or be negative about past employers.
5. Follow up strategically after each interview.

Responding to a Current Employer's Counter Offer

A counter offer can be a delicate situation and requires careful consideration.

Examine your initial reasons for wanting to make a change; often the reasons people make job changes are for issues other than money. If this is the case, then it is likely you will return to those same issues if you accept a counter offer, after the initial glow of more money and feeling appreciated by your current company wears off. On the other hand, if money, or not feeling appreciated as a result thereof, was the primary reason for making a change, you might be happy with accepting the counter offer. It is a good idea to list out the pros and cons for each opportunity and discuss these with someone whose opinion you value.

The Best Ways to Handle Salary Discussions

Salary discussions during an interview center around what you have made in prior positions and/or what you are seeking to earn in your next position. (The rules are different if you're responding in writing to a written request for a salary history or requirements from an advertised position.)

A salary discussion is not a salary negotiation. It can however lay the foundation for a salary negotiation. (Visit InterviewSmart® for salary negotiation strategies.)

Employers ask salary questions to see if a close match exists between the salary likely to be offered and your expectations. Naturally, the closer you are to the employer's salary range, the more likely you will accept an offer and remain with the company.

Be prepared to disclose your salary history when asked. If your salary history differs significantly (higher or lower) than your current expectations, you must be prepared to address these differences at the same time. Keep in mind that you need to consider the total compensation package including benefits.

Following up after an Interview Is Important

Follow-up can significantly affect whether or not an offer is extended. Following up after an interview addresses a key employer concern: your interest level in the position. In addition, you are demonstrating, by the very act of following up, personal and professional qualities that are typically sought by an employer: dedication, tenacity, attention to detail, and the ability to follow through. In some instances, employers may even use the lack of follow-up as a screening device: a way to narrow down the number of candidates to a short list; those who do follow up become finalists.

More often, however, there are usually several top candidates, each with various tradeoffs regarding strengths and liabilities. The employer is often faced with a difficult decision, and follow-up, when handled correctly, offers a strategic means of tipping the scales in your favor.

Besides demonstrating your interest level and the desired qualities employers seek, strategic follow-up offers the opportunity to reassure the employer regarding any concerns they might have about you being the best choice for the position. This can make the difference between an offer being extended to you rather than another candidate. Even if an offer is not extended to you at this particular time, it helps you to stand out — and could lead to another position in the future

The Best Ways to Follow up after an Interview

There are several ways to follow up and you may want to let your interest level in each position guide you. Thank-you cards and letters, and strategic letters are most common.

Strategic letters are considerably more effective; however, they require a little more effort on your part. These letters can be sent via e-mail or postal mail. It is best to save thank-you cards for those who have been particularly helpful, such as administrative assistants, etc.

Strategic follow-up strengthens the interviewer's perception of you and addresses any concerns you felt the interviewer might have about this position being the right fit for you. It also provides an opportunity to add any related skills, abilities or interests, and other information that you did not think of in the interview, which may have a bearing on your candidacy. Since there will typically be several top candidates for the position, each with various tradeoffs regarding strengths and liabilities, this follow-up helps nudge that often difficult decision in your favor.

For strategic follow-up details and a sample letter, visit InterviewSmart®.

Immediately after the interview, it is essential to write down particulars. Include the details of the job description as described by the interviewer; as well as specific information regarding the company and department in which you would be working and any skills for which you felt the interviewer had a concern.

Keep in mind that while follow-up can make the difference in being extended an offer now, it also helps to leave doors open for the future; interviewing for one position may lead to another.

Major Types of Behavioral and Non-Behavioral Interviews

1. Telephone Interview

Telephone Interviews are becoming more common. They save the employer time and indicate whether a face-to-face interview is warranted. Telephone Interviews are typically used to make a preliminary assessment of a candidate's qualifications.

2. Panel Interview

In a Panel Interview, typically 3 to 6 members in different roles in the organization ask candidates questions to assess their knowledge, skills, team fit, ability to make decisions, etc.

3. Video-Conference Interview

Video-conference Interviews are becoming more common. They expand the scope of searching for qualified candidates with less cost and time involvement.

4. Reverse-Role Interview

In the Reverse-role Interview, the interviewer is unprepared, short on time, hurried, distracted, or simply unskilled at interviewing. The result is that the interviewer does not ask the appropriate questions — without which he or she may not understand your ability to perform successfully or other factors that indicate you are a good fit.

5. Informal Interview

An Informal Interview is casual and relaxed; it is intended to induce candidates to talk comfortably so that they will reveal more information than they might otherwise. Your privacy is important to remember at this point; too much information too soon could screen you out from consideration.

6. Layered-Questions Interview

A Layered-question Interview is common among skilled interviewers. The interviewer asks a series of questions, often overlapping, designed to gather information and find discrepancies in a candidate's answers

7. Stress Interview

A Stress Interview is generally intended to put a candidate under stress to assess his or her reactions. Once a candidate demonstrates that he or she can perform effectively under stress, the test is passed.

8. Performance Interview

In a Performance interview, the interviewer asks candidates to role-play job functions to assess their knowledge and skills. (This is not the same as a Case Interview, in that it typically is only a portion of the interview and is focused on performance or knowledge rather than critical thinking.)

9. Case Interview

The Case Interview is a special type of interview commonly used by management-consulting firms and is increasingly being used in many other organizations. It helps the interviewer analyze your critical-thinking skills. If you are not familiar, do not have experience, or are not comfortable with case analysis, it can be one of the most difficult interviews to undergo.

In a Case Interview a candidate is given a problem to see how he or she would work it out on the spot. The problems that are presented come in many forms, but the interviewer wants to assess the candidate's analytical skills, ability to think under pressure, logical thought process, business knowledge and acumen, creativity, communication, and quantitative analysis skills.

10. Assessment Instruments (Tests)

Various types of assessments (commonly referred to as tests or inventories) may be used to determine if you are a likely fit. Among these are:

• Personality inventory (assesses personality types).
• Aptitude inventory (assesses aptitudes in certain skill areas).
• Interest inventory (assesses interests in various occupational categories).
• Combination instruments (combines any of the above).

How to dress for an interview

How to dress for an interview is a subjective process.  As for anything subjective, "good judgment" is important.  There is a lot of information on the Web suggesting what to wear for interviews, going from general guidelines to comments regarding specific items of clothing.  Consider the advice that is being given, but decide for yourself.  We are all unique and whether we like it or not, what we wear should reflect the person that we are if we want to remain true to ourselves.  It is all about displaying an image that we feel comfortable with. Notwithstanding the above, first impressions do matter.  Before the interviewer even gets a chance to talk to you, he will see you.  You want to look presentable, professional, and competent. 
Looking professional is important, especially for jobs that require client interaction.  Looking professional not only affects the person who sees you, but also impacts the way you feel about yourself.  "Self-esteem" is key to being confident and "looks" do matter.

Key considerations to keep in mind:

• Dress according to the organization, although you should always err on the side of caution (being overly formal is usually better than the reverse and dressing conservatively is usually better than trying to make a fashion statement).
• Wear comfortable clothes so you can focus on your conversation with the interviewer, instead of trying to put yourself at ease.  The key idea is for you to be able to forget about what you are wearing once the interview starts and focus solely on answering questions correctly.
• Avoid too many accessories and try to have a clean look.  You don't want to look clumsy or lose things because you are distracted.  Yes, Interview Day can be stressful!
• Pay attention to the weather.  On a rainy day, you don't want to arrive at the interview all wet.  On a snowy day, you don't want your pants to have stains from dirty snow.  In that regard, weather might dictate how you decide to go to the interview.  Taking a taxi and avoiding public transportation might be worth it.

Remember, you want to look professional; yet, you want the interviewer to remember you based on the substance of your answers.  Your attire should only play a "supporting role."

How to Answer Job Interview Questions

The ability to answer questions properly during job interviews is a skill that needs to be mastered.  Answering questions in an interview setting is especially difficult because candidates are on the spot and are scrutinized.  The fear of giving the wrong answer too often prevents interviewees from being themselves and answering to the best of their abilities.

The first step to improving your job interview skills is to undertake interviews as a two-way exchange.  Both sides are looking for a fit and, believe it or not, interviewers do care about choosing the right candidate.  In that regard, they want to know about you as much as you want to know about them.  If "answering questions" is difficult for you, look at the process from another angle... like a conversation.  Don't look at job interviews as interrogations.  This will only have the effect of increasing your stress level.  Keep in mind that there are no "right answers," although there are clearly wrong ones.  Therefore, don't look for that perfect answer.  Try to answer questions the best you can and to make the best overall impression as possible.  At the end of the day, all you can do is try your best and interviewers will decide if you are a good fit or not.

That being said, there are few basic things you need to know about how to answer questions properly.  Answering questions is about "form" and "substance."  Form refers to the way a message is conveyed:

How to Make a Good Impression During Job Interviews

When going to an interview, it is important to have the right state of mind and to focus on what is important.  The thing that is the most important when attending an interview is not how you answer questions.  It is the impression that you leave behind.  That being said, answering questions "correctly" will of course impact on that impression.  The word "correctly" was put in quotes because there are no perfect answers to questions, although there are wrong answers.

Put things in perspective.  By the time you are called for an interview, the employer will already have gone through your resume and cover letter.  He or she knows the basics about you: your background, your work experience, your general interests, why you want to join the organization, etc.  Whatever the employer knows up to that point, however, is only one-sided.  The employer only knows what you have decided to reveal.  Based on the information that you have provided, however, he or she decided that you were "worthy" of a meeting.  This is the employer's way to show an open mind.  "Here's your chance" he or she is saying.  "Show me what you've got" or "prove to me that you are as good as you pretend to be."

How to Manage Stress During Job Interviews

Job searching is a difficult process because job seekers submit themselves to the judgment of others.  They literally seek others' seal of approval and rely on them for crucial decisions that will affect their future.  The interview stage in the job hunt process is particularly stressful.  This stage is especially difficult to handle because it requires human interaction.  Most people writing their resumes and cover letters do so in the comfort of their own homes or hire professionals to do it for them.  They do not have the "pressure" of facing others or living up to expectations... on the spot.  Should they be rejected, that will come in the form of a refusal letter, an e-mail, or a "no response." In contrast to the above, interviewing forces job seekers to step outside of their comfort zone, attend events or meetings in person, and put themselves on the line.  The fear of behaving foolishly or disappointing others is at the root of the stress that most people feel.  That fear is compounded by the fact that many job seekers are at a point in their life where they have low self-confidence, whether because they are unemployed or because they are unhappy where they are

How to Prepare for Job Interviews

An interview is a competitive process.  That's why job seekers need to prepare as much as possible for that day that could effectively change the course of their lives.  The problem, however, is that too many people fail to do that.  Instead of getting things running as they receive a phone call for an interview, too many job seekers get lazy or suddenly feel apprehensive.  What better way to avoid that feeling of apprehension than to avoid thinking about Interview Day?  As a result, they delay preparing for that crucial moment until the last minute. Wishful thinking will not get you where you want to be.  You need to work hard for it.  The first stage in preparing for an interview is to research: the organization, the position, the industry, and the interviewers' background. Research is important because you want to arrive at the interview "knowledgeable."  Knowledge is key because it will allow you to have interesting conversations and put things in the right context.  The other reason why research is so important is because it will help you get into the right state of mind.  You have no more excuses not to do proper research in this day and age.  With the advent of the Internet, all this can be done from the comfort of your own home.

The interview process provides you with the opportunity to show that you are the right fit for the job. The interview gives you the chance to expand on the information provided in your resume and to gather information about the employer and the position.

The goal of the job interview is to show the employer that you have the skills, background, and ability to do the job and that you can successfully fit into the organization and its culture. Not only that, you have to show that you are better than other candidates. Remember, the job interview is a communication process. It involves an exchange of information; it's a give and take.

Interviewing is not only about substance however. It's about chemistry also. After all, if a person is going to join the organization, better find someone that will be enjoyable to work with. This is the harder and less predictable part of interviewing. Sometimes you will click with the interviewer(s), sometimes you won't. On a general note, however, be yourself and show an open mind.

Interviewing is for many the most difficult part of the job application process. We have asked for contributions from experts in the field to provide you with supplemental advice and help on how to improve your interviewing technique. Please read the articles at the right for more insights into how to outperform others in interviews.

An effective resume will secure you an interview. A successful interview is instrumental in securing you a job offer.

Types of Interview

Interviews are not all the same. Depending on your career field, the interview stage, or the type of organization, interview meetings can widely differ. To meet interviewers unprepared is like to give a presentation without rehearsal. You would never do the latter, so why would you do the former? Although this may sound obvious, too many job applicants still underestimate the preparation required in order to have a successful meeting.

The first thing to do is to know what type of interview you will be attending. If you are told beforehand regarding the particulars, that's perfect. Otherwise, don't hesitate to contact the recruiter to ask for specifics.

Knowing the interview type in advance is knowing the rules of the game.. in advance. Don't forget, an interview is nothing more than a tournament. The winner gets the job. Any strategic advantage counts.

25 Most Difficult Questions you'll be asked on a Job Interview

1. Tell me about yourself.

 Since this is often the opening question in an interview, be extracareful that you don't run off at the mouth. Keep your answer to a minute or two at most. Cover four topics: early years, education, work history, and recent career experience. Emphasize this last subject. Remember that this is likely to be a warm-up question. Don't waste your best points on it. 

2. What do you know about our organization?

You should be able to discuss products or services, revenues, reputation, image, goals, problems, management style, people, history and philosophy. But don't act as if you know everything about the place. Let your answer show that you have taken the time to do some research, but don't overwhelm the interviewer, and make it clear that you wish to learn more. 

You might start your answer in this manner: "In my job search, I've investigated a number of companies.

Yours is one of the few that interests me, for these reasons..."

Give your answer a positive tone. Don't say, "Well, everyone tells me that you're in all sorts of trouble, and that's why I'm here", even if that is why you're there.

3. Why do you want to work for us?

The deadliest answer you can give is "Because I like people." What else would you like-animals?