So, you blazed through the interview with flying colors. You
exited graciously, offering firm handshakes and heartfelt thanks all around,
leaving the hiring manager visibly impressed. After the interview, you promptly
followed up with a handwritten note expressing gratitude to the manager for her
time and consideration. Four days later, you called for a status update,
leaving a politely-worded message with the receptionist. A few weeks have
passed, and you still haven't heard any news. Now what?
In order to make the choice that will most benefit your
career, you need to know what all of your options are. A delayed status update
from even one potential employer can put a serious crimp in even the most
well-planned job search.
The good news is that there are a number of ways you can
speed the process along. If you find yourself still without a definitive answer
weeks after your last contact with a hiring manager, take a look at these
strategies for parlaying a long-past interview into a job offer and implement
the ones best suited to your situation.
Look at the follow-up as the final stage of your job search
All too often, hospitality industry job hunters assume that
an interview represents the end of their quest. However, job search experts
recommend an expanded model of the process, in which the follow-up process is
the concluding phase of the job search.
You need to plan for this transitional period just as you
would for the processes of applying and interviewing. Have a supply of
high-quality stationery on hand for thank-you notes, obtain a dedicated address
book to collate all contact information, and keep a detailed follow-up log that
records the who, what, and when of each post-interview communication.
Determine the proper tone -- and stick with it
One of the most challenging aspects of the follow-up process
is striking the right balance between determined and pushy, enthusiastic and
overzealous, interested and desperate. Believe it or not, a lot depends on the
type of position you're seeking and the organization you're interviewing with.
If the spot you want to fill is in public relations, sales,
or marketing, or if the property is a hip, trendy destination that caters to a
younger clientele, you can take a more forward approach to follow-up. On the other
hand, if you're applying for a position with an older, traditional property
with upscale appeal, it may be better to adopt a more formal, reserved tone in
your follow-up efforts.
Keep the lines of communication open -- but always follow their lead
It can be tempting to try to catch the attention of the
hiring manager by any means necessary, particularly in the often-frustrating
post-interview phase of the process. Experts recommend that applicants
demonstrate continued interest in the position with repeated contacts after the
interview, so after the initial thank-you note, telephone calls spaced 4-5 days
apart are often the best approach.
You may feel compelled to look up the hiring manager's
e-mail address and bombard her with heartfelt missives about your suitability
for the position, but it's best to limit your contacts to the communication
method that the manager has initiated or suggested.
For example, if you haven't been contacted via e-mail or
weren't given an e-mail address, resist the temptation to look it up. If they
contacted you by phone, stick to the phone as your preferred communications
channel. This will demonstrate your professionalism and restraint, as well as
your ability to act in accordance with the example set by your superiors.
Gently force closure, but don't issue an ultimatum
If more than three weeks have elapsed since the interview
with no word of a decision, it may be time to exert a bit more forceful
influence to get the process rolling. In a phone call, voicemail, or letter,
reassert your continued interest in the position, but also mention a compelling
reason why you need to hear about the outcome of the interview sooner rather
than later. It's best to base it around your actual circumstances to convey a
genuine sense of urgency.
Know when no word probably means 'no'
If this last-ditch effort doesn't prompt a response, it's
unlikely that you're ever going to hear anything positive about the position.
Next time around, try to remember to set the stage for a more efficient
follow-up process by setting the terms for post-interview contact at the end of
the interview itself.
Job hunt expert Penelope Trunk suggests asking for a rough
timeframe for the final decision as you're saying your goodbyes. Just one
carefully-worded question could save you weeks of anxiety and sleepless nights!