2016 Job Seekers Guide

Transcription

1 Morgan Hunter Career Resources: 2016 Job Seekers Guide A PUBLICATION OF morgan hunter C O RPO R ATE SE A R C H

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction: What Do Employers Really Want? 1 Chapter 1: Creating a Winning Resume (and Cover Letter Too!) 2 Chapter 2: Networking Techniques 3 Chapter 3: Keys to a Successful Interview 4 Chapter 4: Interview Follow-Up Strategies

3 Introduction What Do Employers Really Want?

4 There s no such thing as the perfect hire. But, as one of the leading employment agencies in Kansas City, Morgan Hunter knows today s employers want something pretty close. If you re searching for a new job, what traits and skills are most important to them? Here s a look: #1. Technical Skill Today s employers go well beyond technical skill when evaluating candidates. However, the right skill set is still important. If you can t do the job, why would an employer want to hire you? When it comes to convincing the hiring manager you re the right choice, you need to demonstrate your past track record of success. This means offering specific examples of accomplishments that are most relevant to the position. #2. Cultural Fit Cultural fit or lack of is a primary reason new hires quit, which is why employers are so focused on fit during the hiring process. The more you know about a company s specific culture (through research and networking, for instance), the better job you can do persuading the hiring manager that you d assimilate well. #3. Confidence Most hiring managers can read you as soon as you walk in the door, which is why presenting a confident image is critical to success in finding a new job. The clothes you wear, whether you make eye contact, your handshake and your energy level all play a part in how you re perceived. If you re feeling nervous about an interview, have someone conduct a mock interview with you. Practice introducing yourself and answering common questions. The more prepared you are, the more confident you will feel walking into the interview. #4. Motivation Employers don t want to do a lot of hand holding, so showing initiative and motivation can give you a leg up in the hiring process. Use your resume to showcase projects and experiences that you complet- 1

5 ed independently and be sure to include measurable results. When you re interviewing, talk about examples of your initiative and how it made a positive impact on your department or company. #5. Work Ethic Bosses want employees they can rely on those that show up, do what they say they re going to do, and all with a good attitude. One way to showcase your work ethic to potential employers is to offer an example of a time when you went above and beyond on the job, doing more than what was expected of you. #6. Enthusiasm Do you want any job, or this job? That s what hiring managers are wondering when they re interviewing you. It s important to showcase your enthusiasm for the job and the company. That doesn t mean bouncing off the walls; it does mean showing that you have a genuine interest in the company and the position. You can demonstrate your enthusiasm by weaving the information you ve learned about the organization into your interview answers and asking insightful questions. Need More Career Resources? Find more resume tips, career advice and networking techniques on our Candidate Resources page. View Resources Related Articles: Top Traits of Likeable Candidates Preparation Tips for a Panel Interview Proper Etiquette for Asking for a Job or Character Reference Five Ways for Candidates to Build & Maintain a Personal Brand 2

6 Chapter One Creating a Winning Resume (and Cover Letter Too!)

7 necessary for the job. When creating a chronological resume, list your most recent employment experience first and work backward, which allows you to highlight your most recent achievements. What Type of Resume is Best for One of the first things you need to do when embarking on a job search is create a strong, concise resume. Your resume needs to be more than a list of what you ve done. It needs to be a document that represents who you are and tells employers what you can do. Your resume often serves as the first impression you make on a hiring manager or potential employer. It can often be the deciding factor in whether or not you get an interview. You? So what type of resume should you have? There are two main types of resume formats, each of which have their own advantages: 1) Chronological The chronological resume lists your work experience in order. This is the most popular, common format. The main point of this type of resume is to show that you have the background and work experience Remember to focus on your most notable successes and don t go overboard. Most hiring managers look at a resume for only a few seconds, so you don t have long to capture their interest. Employers tend to prefer the chronological resume because it is fact-based and easily skimmed. For job seekers with solid experience and a logical job history, the chronological resume is the most effective. Career changers and those who lack formal onthe-job experience may want to try another format. 2) Functional Instead of listing your experience in chronological order, the functional resume allows you to break your experience into different areas, which can be useful if you re applying for a very specific type of job. For instance, you can classify your experience under headings such 4

8 as management, leadership and support. Rearrange your employment history into sections that highlight areas of skill and accomplishment, although you should still give a sense of your professional chronology don t neglect to include dates and company names. My Resume The functional resume is good for job seekers who have little work experience, various employment experiences or are changing careers. By breaking your experience up into groups, you can better show that you have the experience and skills necessary for the job. The functional resume might be thought of as a problem solving format. It gives you latitude to make sense of your work history and match up skills and accomplishments that might not be obvious to the employer in a traditional chronological format. Just be sure to match up skills with job titles, level of responsibility and dates of experience. Remember, the employer won t take the time to decipher this information. Lay it out as clearly as you can. Most hiring managers look at a resume for only a few seconds, so you don t have long to capture their interest. Whether you choose a chronological or functional resume, be sure to create a version that is formatted to read well when submitted as a data file or scanned and searched by optical scanning systems. Many large employers use electronic resume processing systems, or automated applicant tracking systems, to handle large volumes of resumes. Job ads may direct applicants to visit their website and submit a resume electronically. The resume will go into a database that a recruiter or hiring manager can search by keyword. Not only must your resume include any relevant keywords, you must avoid fonts and formatting that will not scan properly into the system such as italics, bold type or fancy typefaces. Related Article: How to Target Your Resume to the Job You Want 5

9 Writing an Effective Hiring managers see hundreds of resumes every year. You need your resume to stand out while maintaining a professional look. Even the smallest mistakes can send your resume straight to the recycle bin. Follow these resume writing tips to ensure your resume is helping you rather than hurting you: Resume Format Your Resume A jumbled, muddled resume will never get a second look. Properly formatting your resume to give it a clean, organized layout will help hiring managers easily scan your resume and mitigate any chance you will be ignored. Also, employ bullet points to highlight key information or accomplishments that pertain to the position for which you are applying. Choose a Professional Font Using an unprofessional font will certainly help you stand out, but for the wrong reasons. Avoid using highly-stylized fonts like Comic Sans. Classic fonts like Times New Roman or Arial are always safe bets. Use Color Sparingly Nothing screams don t hire me like a resume printed on colored paper. Using a splash of color here and there is generally fine, but be aware that some organizations may see it as unprofessional. If you are unsure of whether you should use color on your resume, consider your industry. Resumes for traditional industries like accounting or human resources should be in black and white, while resumes for creative industries, like marketing or advertising, can get away with minimal use of color. Tailor Your Resume In the resume world, one size does not fit all. Creating a generic resume and blasting it to dozens of employers won t yield much success. Instead, tailor the contents of your resume for each opportunity. Read the job descriptions and edit your resume to speak directly to the unique responsibilities of each position. Proofread! Most hiring managers won t even consider a candidate, no matter how great their accomplishments, if the candidate s resume has spelling or grammar mistakes. Do your due diligence and proofread your resume multiple times before sending it out. It also helps to get a second pair of eyes on it, so solicit a friend, family mem- 6

10 ber or professional to proofread your resume. Sell Yourself A resume shouldn t be a list of responsibilities for your past positions. You need to sell yourself through your accomplishments. That s not to say you shouldn t list past responsibilities, but leave room to list your accomplishments as well. When highlighting your accomplishments, be specific. Stating that you consistently hit your sales goals doesn t tell us much; saying you consistently achieved X amount in sales every month gives us a better idea of your abilities. A Few More Points to Consider... How to Address or Fill Gaps in Your Resume Make it readable for everyone Use between 9 and 12 point font in the body of your resume Employ a simple Word format Avoid Pages or other word processing programs Omit personal info Hiring managers are only concerned with your professional life; keep your personal life out of it It s not unusual to have gaps in your employment history. Don t let them keep you from pursuing your job search. Here s how to put your best foot forward. Accept Your Reality Since 2008, the country has experienced a deep recession during which the average unemployment rate remained around 10% nationally. A gap from those years will look considerably better on a resume than one from 2005 when the economy was booming. Either way, be ready to be honest and address any gaps, but don t dwell on them during interviews. Do you have an acceptable reason for the break in your work experience? Did you take some time off when you started your family or cared for a sick relative? Did you go back to school? Whatever your reason, get comfortable telling your story concisely. In addition to a brief explanation to include in any cover 7

11 letters, develop a 30-second elevator speech so you can quickly and confidently address your resume gaps during an interview. Adjust Your Resume Instead of laying out your employment history in months and years on your resume, such as March 2004 January 2008, simply use the years: First of all, it s easier to follow and helps your resume look clear and concise. It also doesn t raise any red flags unnecessarily if there was an employment gap of a few months. If that comes up in the interview, by all means be honest about those months and what you were doing, but don t point it out. You can also try featuring your achievements first, instead of the traditional chronological method of listing dates and jobs at the top, although this can also raise a red flag. Do Contract Work or Side Projects If you re currently unemployed, consider taking contract or temporary work, especially in your industry. Hiring managers will like to see that you re staying busy and keeping your skills fresh. You can still search for a permanent post while you take on a project or temporary work, and it allows you to have some flexibility. Hiring managers like to see that you re staying busy and keeping your skills fresh. And, with income coming in, it may take the pressure off from feeling like you need to jump at the first permanent job offer to come along. Improve Your Skills If contract or temp work isn t an option, you can also take the time to invest in your professional development by taking classes. Professional associations, local colleges, continuing education programs, alumni associations, user groups, online courses and unemployment offices offer a variety of low-cost training opportunities. This will give you something to list on your resume to help explain what you did during your time away from work. Volunteer Your Time Another way to show initiative while you re unemployed is to find a solid volunteer opportunity. Your volunteer work should be targeted and industry- or function-specific, otherwise it may not have an impact on a prospective employer. While serving meals in a soup kitchen is noble work, it doesn t add substance to your resume. Depending on your field, you could donate your time and expertise to a charity of your choice. Many of these organizations would welcome financial, marketing, technology, management, or other business expertise. Regardless of how you handle your employment gaps, do it in a positive way. There s nothing you can do to change the fact that they happened, so learn to present them positively and if you re currently unemployed, choose a way to fill those gaps constructively! 8

12 manager to read on. What do You Bring to the Table? Your cover letter should tell the hiring manager what you can do for them, not how great the position would be for you. Let them know how your skills and experience will help you improve their organization. Give examples of past accomplishments that are pertinent to the position. 6 Tips for Writing Cover Letters To some job seekers, cover letter writing is a pointless endeavor. But a cover letter is one of the most important aspects of any job search. Cover letters are the first thing that many hiring managers see. It can create a positive first impression that encourages someone to read your resume, or it can eliminate you from the candidate pool all together. Don t let your cover letter ruin your chance of landing your dream job. Follow these six tips for a stellar cover letter: Don t repeat your resume Your cover letter shouldn t be a regurgitation of your resume. Instead, a cover letter is your chance to tell the hiring manager about the skills you have that make you the best candidate for the position. Be sure to highlight relevant achievements and experience that relates to the position for which you are applying. Avoid using common opening lines like I am writing you today to express my interest in the Sales position with XYZ, Inc. Instead, think of an attention-getting first line that will compel the hiring It s a Blurb, Not a Novel Hiring managers read hundreds of cover letters every year. They don t have time to read word cover letters. Give the hiring manager a break and keep it short no longer than one page. Treat your cover letter as a brief introduction that showcases your experience and acts as a smooth transition to your resume. Customize Your Content There is no one size fits all when it comes to cover letters. Hiring managers read so many cover letters in their career that they can immediately recognize a canned or generic cover letter. Every cover letter you submit should be unique to the position. 9

13 A Few More Points to Consider... My Cover Letter Focus on the employer s needs rather than your own Keep your letter short. Remember, you only have a few seconds of the hiring manager s attention. Avoid Buzz Words Buzz words and phrases to avoid include: Team-player People person Excellent communication skills Go-getter Think outside the box Synergy Detail oriented Include the Hiring Managers Name If possible, avoid starting your cover letter with Dear Hiring Manager. Utilize the company website and LinkedIn to research and find out to whom you should address your letter. Sometimes, it s impossible to determine who the hiring manager is for the position. That s OK! If you re unsure, use the head of the department for the position. Every hiring manager is different. There are no hard and fast rules to cover letter writing. But if you follow these six tips, you will be on the right track to cover letter success. Present compelling reasons for the hiring manager to continue on and read your resume. Include keywords from the job posting when referencing your qualifications and professional experiences. Visit Our Blog Find more articles, insights & tips when you visit our blog! Read Blog 10

14 Chapter Two Networking Techniques

15 meetings, industry conferences, or lectures, you also shouldn t focus 100% of your efforts on them either. Strategy #2: Be prepared to network. When you know you re going to an event, plan ahead and be prepared to make it as effective as possible. Set goals for yourself, such as connecting with two or three new people in your industry. Think quality connections over quantity. Five Networking Strategies to Help You Find a New Job Finding a new job can be a daunting task. And unfortunately, many job seekers go about it the wrong way. They spend all their time searching online and scouring job board sites in search of the perfect opportunity. But the fact is that most new jobs aren t filled through online applications; they re filled through networking. If you re looking for a new job, how can you leverage the power of networking? Below are some strategies to help you: Strategy #1: Network wherever you are. You don t need to be at a formal networking event like a job fair or business event to network. You can network any time, anywhere. You can find opportunities to network whether at a wedding or at the corner coffee shop. So while you shouldn t skip out on chamber of commerce In addition, try to get a list of attendees ahead of time so you can plan for whom you d like to meet and research their backgrounds. Strategy #3: Know your audience. Opportunities to network abound. However, in order to leverage its power, you need to know your audience. For instance, you shouldn t bring a pile of resumes to hand out at a holiday party, but a few business cards would be appropriate, just in case you meet a valuable contact. However, bringing copies of your resume to a job fair is expected; otherwise, you ll be viewed as unprepared. 12

16 Strategy #4: Put the Internet to work for you. There are countless websites and social forums for job seekers. For instance, you can use sites like LinkedIn to connect with people you know personally and those you don t and network online. Also, be sure to keep your skills and experience up-to-date on any online profiles you have. Strategy #5: Follow up. You ve made great contacts now what? Don t let them fall by the wayside. Follow up with them to stay top-of-mind. Invite them to lunch, share an article you think might interest them, or send along a congratulatory note when you find out one has been promoted. Connect with Morgan Hunter Follow Us Like Us Follow Us Visit our Website How to Improve Your LinkedIn Profile for Your Job Search Don t think LinkedIn matters? Consider this: 94 percent of recruiters utilize the professional online network to find and vet candidates. And with over 400 million users worldwide, LinkedIn has become one of the most important tools for job seekers. Employers use LinkedIn for a number of things when searching for their next hire: Locate highly-qualified candidates who aren t actively looking for a job at the time Vet candidates before they are offered an interview or employment Post jobs Network with potential future hires Making your LinkedIn profile the best it can be will increase your chances of being found by a hiring manager or recruiter. Even if you aren t actively looking for a job, you never know when a recruiter for your dream job is scouring LinkedIn for candidates like you. Do yourself a favor and follow these tips for improving your LinkedIn profile: 13

17 Edit the Summary Section to Target Your Audience Some people on LinkedIn completely disregard the Summary section. Don t make this mistake. The Summary section is a great chance to quickly state your qualifications in a way that will entice the reader to continue scrolling through your profile. You want to write your Summary to target hiring managers in your industry. Find a handful of job descriptions for positions that interest you and write your Summary to reflect the responsibilities and qualifications for those positions. Include a few past accomplishments and the type of position you are seeking. Choose a Professional Profile Photo No party pics or group shots here. Your LinkedIn profile picture should convey professionalism, so choose a photo of yourself in professional attire. Highlight Accomplishments Like your resume, your LinkedIn profile shouldn t just be a list of past responsibilities. Instead, you should highlight exactly what you accomplished using stats or numbers to back it up. For example, instead of saying Responsibilities included business-to-business sales, you could say Drove $200K Employers and recruiters are looking for candidates like you on increase in business-to-business sales over Last Fiscal Year. Adding stats will help quantify your accomplishments and make you look more impressive to potential employers. Add Multimedia In the Experience section, LinkedIn allows you to add media a document, photo, link, video or presentation to each listing. This is your chance to bolster your accomplishments and expertise with something visual. If you had a particularly successful presentation in the past, add the PowerPoint to showcase your talents. If you re in a creative field, add some of your best portfolio work. Don t make the mistake of ignoring your profile. Employers and recruiters are looking for candidates like you on LinkedIn every day. Don t miss out on your dream job improve your LinkedIn profile today. A Few More Points to Consider... LinkedIn every day. Create a Vanity URL - Customize your URL to make it easy to remember or simple enough for a business card. Make Your Summary SEO Friendly - Your summary should contain keywords relative to your career, making it easier for people to find you in a search. Upgrade to a Premium Account - For a monthly fee, you are moved to the top of the hiring manager s list as a featured applicant when you apply for a job on LinkedIn. 14

18 Chapter Three Keys to a Successful Interview

19 few simple ways: 1) Start by checking out the company s website. If it s a big site, you don t have to read it word for word. Review the key pages home, about, services, and news/blog. Research Strategies You Should Conduct Before Your Next You spend hours researching the latest iphone, reading through and adding your own status updates on Facebook, or posting to your Pinterest page. But just how much time are you spending learning more about the company you re about to interview with? Interview A job interview is your chance to shine. And if you show up without asking any questions, or demonstrating any knowledge of the company, then you re not going to get hired, plain and simple. It shows you didn t prepare or do any basic homework about the company ahead of time. So why would they want to hire you? Instead, spend some time (ok, a lot of time) learning about the company, its key players, mission and vision, industry trends and challenges, etc. before a job interview. You can do this in a 2) Look at the company s Twitter, Facebook and/or LinkedIn pages. Not only will you gain some insight as to who the company is, but you ll also learn about what their customers and the public think about them information that can prove invaluable during your interview and impact your decision about whether or not to accept a job offer should you get one. 3) Next, be sure to Google the company s name. You re looking for any relevant third-party information or news articles about the company that can help you prepare thoughtful questions. 4) Once you ve spent some time researching the company, develop a list of meaningful questions based on key data you uncovered during your research process. For instance: Based on my research, I noticed the industry has experienced tremendous 16

20 growth over the past few years. How has the company tried to capitalize off that? I noticed your website careers page mentioned training and professional development opportunities for employees. Can you tell me a little more about those? I saw on your company LinkedIn page that many of your employees are graduates of XYZ University. What are some other key traits your top employees share? The above are just a few examples of questions. Obviously, you will need to tailor your own questions based on the information you uncover about the specific employer and position. But the bottom line is that when you walk into a job interview armed with extensive knowledge about the company and are prepared to ask smart questions, your odds of landing the job are far greater. JOB OPENINGS Search Our Available Jobs 6 Steps for Nailing In order to save time and money, companies are increasingly conducting phone interviews in order to screen job applicants before they bring them in for an in-person interview. How do you nail your next phone interview so you can make it to the next step in the interview process? Follow these 6 tips: Prepare and Practice Any interview begins with proper preparation. Research the company by visiting their Your Phone Interview website, checking out their blog and social media, and searching for them on the internet to find any other information that might not be on their website. If you know the name of the person who will be interviewing you, research them too. You could look up their bio on the company website or find them on LinkedIn. The best thing about a phone interview is the fact that you can have a cheat sheet right in front of you while you do 17

21 the interview. Prepare answers to the most popular interview questions, like Tell me about yourself, What interests you about this job? and Why did you leave your last employer? These basic questions are almost guaranteed to be asked in this initial interview. You should also practice your prepared answers to these questions so it doesn t sound like you re reading them (even though you might be!). Remove Distractions Part of the preparation process is finding a quiet place to participate in your phone interview. Once you ve found your quiet place, remove any distractions: turn the TV or radio off, put the dog in the other room and get someone to watch the kids. Any background noise could be a distraction to the interviewer and cause your call to end sooner than you d hoped. Make sure to have your prepared interview answers and a copy of the job description ready. And, if you can, use a landline phone there s always the possibility of poor service or dropped calls when using a cellphone. Make a good first impression Making a good first impression during your phone interview is key to ensuring you move on to the next round. Answer the phone with your name, as in Hello, this (your name). This lets the interviewer know that they ve reached the right person. After they introduce themselves, thank them for taking the time to contact you today. Prepare answers to the most popular interview questions and have your answers in front of you. Ask questions Just like an in-person interview, you ll want to prepare questions to ask your interviewer at the end of the interview. Some good questions to ask are What skills are you looking for in a candidate? or What do you enjoy about working here? Your last question should ask them about the next steps in the interview process. End on a High Note This is your last chance to make a lasting impression on your interviewer. After you re done asking your questions, tell him or her why you are the best fit for the position. Give concrete, real-world examples as to why you re the best fit. Use the job description as a reference and try to touch on each responsibility, telling them why you are the best candidate to tackle the challenges of the position. At the end, thank them again for their time and consideration. Follow Up Just like with an in-person interview, it s a good idea to follow up with the interviewer. them to thank them for speaking with you. This is also a good chance for you to reiterate why you re the best candidate for the position. To ensure they are only bringing in the best and brightest candidates, companies will continue to utilize phone interviews. Make sure you re prepared by following these tips. Good luck on your next phone interview! 18

22 onds of seeing someone. You don t even have to interact with someone for them to make snap judgments about you. That s why it s always best to wear business professional attire for a job interview, recruiter meeting or client meeting. Even if the organization you re interviewing with isn t business professional in the office, it s always good to put your best foot forward. What to Wear?! Business Casual vs. Business Professional Whether you re interviewing, attending a career fair, meeting with a recruiter, or about to start a new job, it s important to know what is appropriate to wear for the occasion. Wearing the wrong thing can create a bad first impression and cause you to lose an opportunity before you even say a word. If you re lost on what you should wear, follow these simple guidelines. When to Wear Business Professional A first impression is a lot harder to overcome than to create. Studies show that first impressions are solidified within sec- Similarly, even if you are attending a client meeting and know the client is going to be dressed casually, you should still dress professionally: You re not only trying to sell them a product or service, you re also selling yourself. Business Professional for Men Dark colored (navy, black or dark grey) two-piece suit Button-up, pressed, solid-colored dress shirt (blue or white are always safe choices) Solid-colored tie No earrings or visible tattoos Dress shoes (make sure your dress shoes and belt colors match) 19

23 Business Professional for Women Suit/pants suit or appropriate-length dress or skirt with jacket Close-toed shoes Natural-looking makeup No bulky jewelry Hosiery No visible tattoos When to Wear Business Casual As younger organizations usher in more relaxed office dress codes, the term business casual has become more ambiguous. Many organizations consider nice jeans and a button-up shirt business casual, while others consider business casual attire as a slight variation of professional dress. Whether you re going to your first day on the job or attending a career fair, be on the safe side and always follow these best-practices: Business Casual for Men: Slacks or Khakis Button-up dress shirt Dress shoes Tie (optional) Short-sleeved polo shirt (avoid logos) Use caution: short sleeved shirts may not be appropriate at every organization. Dress in a button-up, long-sleeved dress shirt your first day and take notice of what your new coworkers wear to get an idea on what s accepted. Also, it is completely appropriate to ask your hiring manager or HR about their organization s definition of business causal before your first day. Similarly, if attending a career fair, check their website to clarify suggested attire for the event. Business Casual for Women: Dress pants or appropriate-length skirt Nice blouse or sweater Conservative footwear Simple or conservative jewelry Women have more options than men when it comes to business casual attire. When in doubt, lean toward more conservative looks. Use the aforementioned suggestions as guidelines, not hard and fast rules. Every organization is different. What may be appropriate in one office may not be appropriate in the next. Don t be afraid to ask! But when it comes to job interviews and other first-impressions, always dress professionally. 20

24 Chapter Four Interview Follow-Up Strategies

25 tomer base, break into international markets, achieve wonderful things, etc.]. Please let me know if you have any questions about my experience. It would also be so helpful if you could provide me with any information about when you are moving forward with the hiring process. Thank you for your time. Sincerely, [Your name] 3 Templates for Following Up an You likely know you should follow up throughout the job search process. But how exactly do you go about doing it? Below are three different templates for three different scenarios you can put to use. Follow up after applying: Subject: Follow up on application for [position title] Interview Body: Hello [hiring manager s name here], I recently applied for the position of [position title]. I am just writing to inquire about the status of my application and when I can expect a decision regarding a possible interview. I d welcome an opportunity to work for your company and help you to [expand your cus- Follow up after an interview: Subject: Thank you, [hiring manager s name] Body: Hello [hiring manager s name], Thank you so much for taking the time to talk yesterday. It was a pleasure to learn more about your company and the position you re offering. I m excited about the opportunity to explore a potential career with your team. Specifically, after speaking yesterday, I believe that my experience with [A, B, and C] would help your company achieve [X, Y, Z goals]. Also, as we dis- 22

26 cussed, I m attaching a list of a few of the projects I managed at my last employer so you can get stronger sense of my level of expertise. Again, I appreciate the opportunity to have shared my experience with you. I think my background is an excellent fit for the job and I hope I proved that today. If you have any follow up questions, please don t hesitate to contact me. I hope we ll be in touch soon. All the best, [Your name] Follow up after offer/ rejection: Subject: Thank you, [hiring manager s name] Body: Hello [hiring manager s name], Thank you so much for offering me the position of [position title]. After carefully considering the opportunity, I regret that I must decline your offer. Since we spoke last, I was offered another opportunity with a company that better aligns with my career and lifestyle goals and I have accepted the position. I truly enjoyed meeting you and your team. Again, I thank you for the chance to interview for the job and learn about your company and the position. It sounds amazing and I know you ll find the right candidate soon. I wish you the best going forward. Sincerely, [Your name] 23

27 So with that said, how can you use the follow-up after a job interview to make yourself stand out in a good way and land the job? Here are a few techniques to consider: Technique #1: Get the names and titles of each person you interview with. Follow-Up Techniques That Will Make You Stand You knocked it out of the park at the job interview. Now you have to just sit back and wait by the phone for the big call, right? Wrong! Out That s right. Following-up may sound old-fashioned, or unnecessary. But truly, as one of the top recruiters in Kansas City, Morgan Hunter can tell you it s the one extra step that could help you win the job. If you re interviewing with a committee as many candidates do these days be sure to get business cards from all who attend. Don t simply ask for their names after all, is it Theresa or Teresa? The last thing you want to do in a follow-up letter is guess and get it wrong. Technique #2: Consider the culture. Should you write a hand-written note or your follow-up? In many instances, it doesn t matter. But if the company has a strong culture, then you should consider it before making your decision. The hiring process is not over. In order to really stand out and make your case as the strongest candidate, you have one more step to take: follow-up. Why? Because most candidates don t do it! Or, if they do, they don t follow proper etiquette and are too aggressive, too long-winded, or can come off sounding just plain desperate. For instance, if you ve interviewed with a fourth generation, family owned business with a traditional culture, then a hand-written letter may be more appropriate. However, if you re interviewing for a marketing position at a tech com- 24

28 pany, then will position you in a better light. Technique #3: Cover the basics. A follow-up letter needs to include a few basic essentials 1) a thank you to the interviewer, 2) a reiteration of why you re the best fit for the position, and 3) stating you re looking forward to the next step. Also, be specific. For instance, if the interviewer told you they d be making a decision in a week, then write something like I look forward to hearing from you next week at the end of your letter. Likewise, when reiterating why you re the top candidate for the job, don t offer vague statements like I m a team player. Instead, give a detailed example of why your background is a good fit for their needs e.g. As we discussed at the interview, I increased sales by over 10% at XYZ company last year alone. I d welcome the opportunity to do the same at your company, helping you attain your sales goals in the process. Contact Us: morganhunter.com info@morganhunter.com 25

29 LET US HELP YOU WITH YOUR JOB SEARCH In our 30 year history, we ve helped thousands of professionals like you find career opportunities in the Kansas City area. Contact us today to find out how we can help you with your job search. Find Jobs