Career transitions can be difficult. The more desirable your next position is, the more competition you will face to secure it.
The top priority of an applicant is to stand out from the crowd. Having a great resume and a strong interview is a great place to start. However, most overlook this simple practice that will cause you to stand out from all other applicants: Follow-Up.
First, you must understand how important follow-up is. A good interview followed by poor follow up will not serve you well. An average interview can be positively impacted by excellent follow-up.
The positive outcomes of post-interview follow-up:
- Your resume gets shuffled to the top.
- You demonstrate your level of interest.
- If what you have provided is effective, you’ve increased the level of your candidacy.
During your interview process, connect with as many people as possible as it relates to a specific opening. When more people remember you, your chances of securing the position naturally increases. After the interview, it is your responsibility to keep each of those individuals updated throughout the process.
Get Creative
With an active search, the time frame for touch points/follow up should be a minimum of seven calendar days and a maximum of ten calendar days. Use a combination of the four levels of communication: face-to-face, telephone, text/email and regular mail. Everybody has their favorite on the receiving end, so try to mix it up a bit. Whatever combination of communication you choose, don’t be afraid to let your personality show.
One of the biggest concerns for individuals in follow-ups beyond neglect is, “Will I be seen as a pest?” Remember, you only become a pest when your intervals of follow-up are too short and you’re always requesting response. If you follow-up without forcing an agenda, they will be received very well.
Of course, I have only scratched the surface of effective active search follow-up. If you would like to learn more in-depth tips in finding success through active transition, please connect with me.
Here’s to your success!
Jim
