So you made it to interview stage for your dream role. Woohoo! You’ve had that personal-brand-selling discussion, and you’re now anticipating how you went. Waiting on the recruiter’s post-interview email or phone call can feel a bit like competing in a long, slow marathon.
“Diligent follow-up and follow-through will set you apart from the crowd and communicate excellence.” (John C. Maxwell, US Author & Speaker)
But it doesn’t have to be the drawn-out silent scenario where you sit back and wait nervously. Instead, how about further validating your professional proactivity by being the first to make post-interview contact. A thank-you note to your recruiter or prospective employer can go a long way in a competitive job market, as the next six reasons confirm.
- Another opportunity to stand out: Your professionally tailored resume and cover letter no doubt helped you to be chosen for an interview. So now it’s time to individualise yourself even further by using your initiative and sending a follow-up message.
- Shows you can ‘walk the talk’: Strong communication abilities are essential in most job roles. Writing a personal thank-you note further validates your confident, interpersonal communication skills, and that you know when to follow through on previous interactions.
- It may open other doors: In addition to increasing your likelihood of getting through to the next interview or meeting stage (if there is one), a thank-you note may also create further job opportunities. Positive, pre-emptive communications can sometimes lead to ‘surprise’ openings.
- A chance to back yourself: If there were any interview hiccups that weren’t fully resolved (e.g. lack of experience in a particular area), this follow-up provides an opportunity to address them. It’s often worth stepping away and assessing what was discussed before providing a clear answer.
- You can accurately pinpoint your assets: After the interview, you’ll likely have a clearer perspective on what the employer is seeking. Thus your most relevant achievements and/or qualifications could be further highlighted and/or reconfirmed in the thank-you note.
- Shows the company that you care: Most employers are seeking team members that seamlessly assimilate into the business and play an essential role. By sending a thank-you message that also reiterates what you like about the company, you’re on your way to fulfilling this prerequisite.
Winning a job is rarely a one- to two-step process, so embrace all recruitment stages with enthusiasm and self-belief. Throwing a personalised, well-written thank-you message into the recruitment mix can only be of benefit.
________________________________________________________________________________
If you’ve been considering a change in career direction and/or increasing your future job opportunities, it may also be time to consult a professional resume writer. From spicing up a LinkedIn profile to overhauling a resume and adding an often-critical cover letter, to writing up selection criteria attuned responses, Walton’s Words thrives on creating career documentation that helps you to stand out. Give us a call or drop us a line if you would like to discuss your resume writing needs further.
