Reasons to make a follow-up

The first reason to make a follow-up email is very simple. It is essential to write a follow-up email after the job interview so that the recruiter remembers you. Keep in mind that recruiters participate in several processes at the same time, interviewing many candidates every day, so it is normal that they do not clearly remember all the candidates, or all the answers. Take advantage of this email to differentiate yourself and remind them who you are.

It can help you highlight skills that you didn’t mention in the interview. Perhaps you forgot to say that you faced a similar challenge to the position you are applying for or that you have experience with certain clients or markets in which the company also operates.

You will be calmer after days thinking about your interview. Search processes are often delayed for reasons that are not inherent to the candidates and even to the search itself, so taking an active role by following up with the interviewer will allow you to find out the real status of the process.

It gives you an opportunity to stand out from other candidates who choose not to follow up. According to a survey published by CareerBuilder, almost 6 out of 10 applicants do not send thank you emails after an interview.

• Ask how you should follow up
• Keep some distance
• Analyze how you did in the interview
• Send a Thank You Note

Ask how you should follow up

Before you leave the interview room, ask your interviewers for a guideline on how you should follow up with the interview results, and who should get back to you.

Also, ask the hiring manager’s timeline for making a final decision on the interview.

Keep some distance

After the interview, get out of the interview building for a few meters to have an emotional distance.

As a result of this, you will be able to relax your nerves and decrease your chances of bumping into an interviewer.

Read More: Job Interview – During the Interview

Analyze how you did in the interview

It is crucial to review every detail of the interview after you get a little distance. Analyzing the interview will help you identify areas that you need to improve on in future interviews.

Send a Thank You Note

After the interview, ask for a business card from each person who interviewed you during the interview. Send each interviewer a thank you email reiterating your interest in the job and restate your qualifications and how you will make significant contributions to the company if given a chance.

Deductively, sending a thank you note leaves a lasting impression on the interviewer’s mind, and he might consider you for the job.

In a job market as competitive as the current one, an effective follow -up after the job interview is essential to stand out among the other candidates. It allows you not only to demonstrate your interest in the position, but also speaks of your proactivity and reflects an attitude of “making things happen” that will increase your chances of getting the job you are looking for.

Before you attend any other interview, it is crucial to set aside time to do the following:

• Research your target company
• Re-read and analyze the job description
• Write down job-specific and behavioral interview questions
• Practice answering interview questions
• Prepare a list of references
• Prepare questions for your interviewers
• Have your interview outfit ready
• Get clear directions
• Prepare items to take to the interview

Research your target company

Company research is a vital part of interview preparation that will help you get into an interview room with confidence. Some days to the interview, ensure that you can find out about the company. To achieve this, check out the company’s website and specifically visit the “About Us” page. With this, you will be able to find out the company’s culture, and it will help you to know whether the company is fit for you or not.

Moreover, read magazines and articles on the website about the company to understand how the company operates and its difference with other companies in the region. Company reviews from former employees and clients are also an important aspect to help you get an understanding of the company. Importantly, you can also find information about the company by tapping into your network. Seek opinions from trusted friends and associates who can give you an inside understanding of the company’s culture.

Re-read and analyze the job description

Take time to review the job description and understand the specific skills that the company is looking for in a candidate.

Write the skills, personal, and professional qualities that are required by the company on a note pad and match them with the qualities that you possess as an individual.

Ascertain whether your professional qualifications, work experiences, certifications, skills, and abilities match the job requirements.

Furthermore, think of specific examples from past work experiences that match the job requirements and write them down in preparation to demonstrate a time when you used a particular skill or ability.

Write down job-specific and behavioral interview questions

Job-specific interview questions are typically asked by the hiring manager to measure a candidate’s ability to perform the duties of a specific job and to determine whether you have the knowledge and skills required.

Take time to thoroughly review the job-specific questions and figure out how best to respond.

To have a good idea about the type of questions to be asked on the job you are applying for, review the job-specific questions and sample answers from the internet.

On the contrary, behavioral interview questions seek clear and concrete examples of experiences and skills that relate to the job position.

Therefore, be prepared to be asked how you handled a particularly challenging situation.

With this, you will have to respond with an explanation of what you did, and your response is expected to be a positive indicator of your success.

Practice answering interview questions

Take some time rehearsing possible answers to interview questions that might be asked.

Be prepared to answer open-ended questions about yourself generally asked by the interviewers to get an insight into your personality and to determine whether you are fit for the company and the job.

It is advisable to begin with, an overview of where you are currently, maybe your current job, followed by how you got to where you are in terms of education and experience, and lastly, end with briefly mentioning your goal for the future.

Practice interviewing with a family member or a close friend two days or a day before the interview.

For instance, if it is a phone interview, ask a friend to call you and practice answering possible questions to be asked over the phone, and if it is a panel interview, have a group of friends to pretend to be a panel.

As a result, you will be able to calm your nerves since you won’t have to fidget and scramble for answers on the hot interview seat.

Read More: Job Interview – During the Interview

Prepare a list of references

Have a list of references prepared before the interview as most hiring managers ask for it before the interview begins or after the interview.

Recruiters may a times have to contact people on your reference list as part of the hiring process to know more about your professional history and job performance.

It is therefore advisable to prepare a list of reliable contacts that will be able to communicate your excellent professional attributes.

Prepare questions for your interviewers

Be ready to engage your interviewers since interviews are not a one-way street.

It is a give and take conversation, and your potential employers expect you to ask questions about how it would be like to work in their company.

Therefore, have questions of your own to ask the interviewers in a bid to build a relationship.

Questions such as, “Would you please explain some of the responsibilities that this job entails?” will act as positive indicators to the interviewers that you are seriously thinking of how it is to work in their company.

Have your interview outfit ready

Avoid a last-minute rush and ensure that your interview clothes are prepared some days before the interview.

Your professional outfit ought to be neat and tidy to have a positive and lasting impression on the employer, even if you are applying for a job in a casual environment.

Get clear directions

It is vital to get clear directions of the interview venue to avoid getting late to the interview.

Program your GPS or use your Google maps to get the routes and directions to the company if you are not sure of where you are going.

However, if you have enough time, it is advisable to visit the company before the day of the interview to be sure of where you will be going and how long it would take to get there.

Prepare items to take to the interview

If the company building has security personnel, carry your identification card since you may be asked to show your identification.

Have a notepad and a pen to write down the name of the person interviewing you and company information. Besides, prepare copies of your resume to be distributed in the interview room upon request.

First step: knowing how to introduce yourself. Don’t pull out your resume right away. The presence of the CV may initially reassure you, but it may ultimately harm you. Indeed, this gesture can be perceived as a refusal of communication and an escape from dialogue. Your interlocutor may believe that by hiding behind your CV, you are trying to hide weaknesses that could be unmasked during a direct confrontation. In the same way, when the recruiter asks you about your past experiences, do not send him back to your CV by saying “It is written on my CV”. Simply answer their questions.

Have a professional attitude as soon as you enter the premises of the establishment. Pay attention to your posture while you wait, take the time to turn off your laptop and take the opportunity to familiarize yourself with the environment. Be courteous and smiling with everyone you meet.

To the standard questions

What good reasons would we have to hire you? Know how to prepare your answer. A word of advice: go straight to the point.

The question is both crucial and quite common, two good reasons to prepare the answer in advance. You will have to concentrate in three or four sentences the main arguments that make you the ideal candidate. Again, no need to procrastinate. Now is the time to place a summary of your sales pitch. Quickly go over the qualities that most candidates will be able to present (adaptability, availability, mobility, etc.). On the other hand, insist on your competitive advantages, the strong points of which you estimate to have the quasi-exclusivity. These are the differences that will make the… difference, precisely. Your objective is simple, at the end of your answer, your interlocutor must be convinced of the excellence of your application, nothing less!

Read More: Why should we hire you?

What are your qualities? What are your faults?

Essential during a job interview, these two questions also come in the form: “What are your strengths?” Your weak points? What aspects of your personality do you want to improve? “. The recruiter here expects you to be honest and know how to reflect on yourself. The best thing is to try to remain natural and not sell an image that is not yours. However, the natural is preparing, because it is better to have clear ideas about your strengths and weaknesses to hold a coherent speech.

Responses to avoid: “I don’t think I have any weak points”: especially not! That would make you look like a proud lacking perspective. Be careful not to cite faults that are contraindicated for this position: “I am shy” will not pass well for a salesperson.      

Avoid settling for cliché answers, “I am very rigorous”, “I am a perfectionist: it is a quality as well as a fault” or even “As I am often told, I am very dynamic”. Be more specific and give concrete examples: “I have a good ability to assess priorities, for example in such and such a project…” In any case, stay on the professional field and avoid too personal answers.

Look your recruiter in the eye, stand up straight, and be smiling, because in human relations, a smile is essential.

You can then sit frankly in your chair, and put yourself at ease without slouching. Be careful not to invade the recruiter’s space. Do not spread out on his desk, it is better to bring a rigid folder that can serve as a support when you have to take notes. Similarly, a recruiter will prefer that you move the seat intended for you a few centimeters back, in order to give everyone their space. Once the interview begins, be proactive, take a few notes, adopt a fluid tone and stay in listen to your interlocutor. If you face several recruiters, take care to scan the audience.

End of interview

At the end of the interview, don’t forget to thank him, and to ask him when and how you will reconnect. Do not hesitate to raise the question of remuneration if this was not done during the interview. The recruiter will see this as a sign of additional interest in the position, as Bernard Cau points out: “you shouldn’t be afraid to talk about your salary expectations, you don’t offer skills for free”.

Having the right attitude during an interview and adopting the right language can be learned and above all prepared according to your interlocutor, the type of company and the position for which you are applying. Another sensitive point because feared by candidates: the famous tests that we can offer you. Preparing for these recruitment tests requires following a few simple rules.

Finally, know not to be thrown off balance. There is a good chance that you will one day come across a recruiter who will do everything to destabilize you. Consider it a game, an exercise, and in some ways it can be fun!

“You should hire me because I have excellent team spirit”

“Because I need money”

“Because I am able to work hard”

We can tell you in advance that these are not the answers we recruiters want to hear. Your answer must indeed distinguish you from others, which is not the case with the answers above. The answer to this question is decisive for the result of the application interview and therefore makes the difference between a contract and no contract. It’s time to sell yourself to your future employer! Do it!

Another answer could be: “My CV perfectly matches the job requirements and I have the necessary experience and skills. I know the products and services offered by the company. I am therefore the ideal person for this function. » Not bad… You have enough information to give a good answer to this important question. But nothing could be less true! All those who are invited to an application interview have indeed passed the first round. This means that all candidates, your competitors, meet the job requirements and have the necessary experience and skills. So you have to find something else to distinguish yourself, but what? To be able to give the ultimate answer to the question, you must first know why the question is asked.

Why Do Recruiters Ask This Question?

The task of the recruiter is to find the best person for the position to be filled. Recruiters often have several suitable candidates to choose from. Especially today when competition in the labor market is intense. There is therefore a good chance that the winning candidate will obtain better than average scores and bring some extras compared to the standard job requirements. For a recruiter, it is essential that the candidate he chooses perform well during the period envisaged. It is indeed on this aspect that the recruiter will be evaluated.

When he asks the question “Why do we have to hire you?” so he wants you to give a strong answer. He wants you to stand out from the rest. He wants you to give an answer that reassures him that you are the right candidate.

The Ultimate Answer

The ultimate answer is unfortunately not a ready-made answer that you can use in all circumstances. Every company, every position and every job posting is indeed different. This means that the answer to this question can therefore never be the same and unfortunately we cannot answer it for you. You will have to provide your own answer to the question, but we can help you.

The ultimate answer to the question consists of two parts: The part in which you really stand out from others and the part in which you make the link between the points mentioned in the first part and the function for which you are applying.

What Sets You Apart From Others?

Distinguishing yourself is the easiest thing there is. You do indeed all your life, consciously or unconsciously. From the moment you are born, you perform better than others in certain areas, and vice versa. Often you are not aware of it, because it is automatic. It’s something you find obvious. Something that is difficult for others and easy for you. Your talents are exactly what the recruiter is looking for. Unique qualities that allow you to distinguish yourself from all the other candidates.

Read More: How to Sell Yourself Well During an Interview?

Connect your skills with the Job

After having identified and recognized your talents, they must be associated with the function for which you are applying and the corresponding tasks. This is often a little less difficult than the first part, because your talents and your natural sources of motivation have already pointed you in a certain direction.

If all goes well, you have made certain educational or career choices during your life  that correspond to what makes your heart beat a little faster. Branches in which you were good or that you appreciated determined the rest of your training. Some courses and certificates not only show what you can do, but also what interests you.

Often (in fact, always should!) your talents match the job you’re applying for. The only thing left for you to do is to justify your (unique) added value. Do this with the help of concrete examples that directly give a good idea to the recruiter.

Don’t forget that the recruiter must find a lasting match between you and the function. If you can passionately relate something that you love to do in your life, that you are good at, that you are able to do better than the other candidates AND prove that it is relevant to the position promised, you have given an answer that the recruiter really wants to hear.

Men and women who exploit their talents are happier. They are more motivated and therefore more productive. The energy they give off has a positive effect on the other people on the pitch. They are satisfied with their work and will therefore leave less quickly.

Have you ever applied for dozens of jobs online only to receive no news, or even a hint of interest? You are not alone. Job seekers often say that applying for a job online is like throwing their resume into a black hole. It seems that this is not far from the truth. Almost only 2% of candidates who apply for a job online manage to get an interview. For those of you who aren’t great at math, that barely equates to 1 in 50 candidates getting an interview!

Are you aiming at the right target?

Surely you think that this is a very obvious and not very logical question. You know better than anyone what kind of job you are looking for, right? We do not doubt it, but if you are not called for an interview after sending many resumes, perhaps it is because, despite your good will, you are not on the right track. Stop for a moment and reflect before continuing with your extensive investigation. And it is not the same to pretend to work as a waiter than as an electrician, no matter how much you have had a relationship with both professions.

Therefore, before applying for a job or submitting your spontaneous application to a company, you should analyze what your most outstanding skills and professional goals are. If you manage to be very clear about these points, you will be able to know which are your most suitable jobs and you will save a lot of time and useless effort by sending CV without rhyme or reason.

A professional image, something essential

Never forget that a curriculum vitae is the best tool you have at your disposal to “sell” your candidacy as the ideal one for a job. Therefore, it is important that you do your best to get a resume with a professional image whose reading generates positive responses and, therefore, avoids you being unemployed for months. Without a doubt, this will be your best investment for the future. If you want to get more than one company to respond to your job applications, it is essential that you personalize your resume. Make an effort to write a specific CV for each position, adapting it 100% to its characteristics and you will see how effective you can be in your job search.

We propose a little trick that summarizes what has been said so far: if you can’t get an appointment for any job interview, try to put yourself in the place of the selector of each process and write your resume according to what he wants to read. You will be able to stand out above the rest. And do not forget that your success depends on it!

Stand out above the rest

It is very common for a job offer to bring together more than 500 applicants. How can you ensure that your resume does not get lost in the tide of papers from all of them? If you want to make sure that the recruiters read it, and therefore give you the opportunity for an interview, you have to be very clear that the key is in the difference. Try to get out of the stipulated channels of sending resumes and try to reach the company in a more original way than the others. Why not, for example, publish your CV on the Internet and send the address of your website to the human resources managers of the company where you want to work? Today you have at your fingertips numerous possibilities that can make your creativity and desire to excel evident.

Your resume is too long or too short

Well yes, there is a middle ground that recruiters look for when it comes to resume length. With a CV of 1 or 2 pages, you will not go wrong. If it’s only half a page, it means you have little to brag about or just haven’t bothered to write a detailed account of your work history. If you stretch your resume to 3-4 pages, it reveals that you have no filters and lack the all-important ability to focus on the most important skills. Some will tell you that a resume should ideally be a single page, but most recruiters will still be fine with going through a 2-page resume.

Your skills do not match the job description

Any recruiter will tell you that a resume that reflects the job description will have a much better chance of being selected. Too many people prioritize quantity over quality by applying for hundreds of jobs from the same CV, hoping to find a match. Rather than wasting your time applying for lots of jobs you’re not even sure you want (or maybe didn’t even know about!), focus a little more on the jobs you want.. Look for positions that give you some heart palpitations and that match your skills and professional expectations. Then spend the time it takes to make sure your resume is tailored to reflect the skills and requirements of the job description. Hiring managers usually list the skills and qualifications they ideally want in their job description (they don’t always expect candidates to have them all!).

Read More: Why should we hire you?

So if you can demonstrate that you possess several of these ideal qualities, you could naturally place yourself as the ideal candidate for the position. Hiring managers usually list the skills and qualifications they ideally want in their job description (they don’t always expect candidates to have them all!). So if you can demonstrate that you possess several of these ideal qualities, you could naturally place yourself as the ideal candidate for the position. Hiring managers usually list the skills and qualifications they ideally want in their job description (they don’t always expect candidates to have them all!). So if you can demonstrate that you possess several of these ideal qualities, you could naturally place yourself as the ideal candidate for the position.

Your resume doesn’t stand out in any way

Each position posted online receives an average of over 100 applications. This means that you are in competition with many people! If your resume blends in and looks like the other 99 applications the recruiter has received, chances are your resume is going unnoticed. Make sure it reflects your personality a bit. We’re not asking you to overdo it by using weird colors and fonts (please refrain!) to grab attention, but a unique and tasteful concept or a bit of personality or humor could go a long way to make your resume a little different from the norm. This is especially the case if you are in a creative field. When you’re competing with so many people, as with online job applications, it’s crucial that you grab some attention. Just be sure, once you’ve caught a recruiter’s attention, to follow up with a resume that contains all the necessary information.

Review your resume until exhaustion

Now we are not going to tell you again what the characteristics of a perfect resume are, but we do want to make you notice that it is very easy to make absurd mistakes when writing it. Never stop reviewing your CV before sending it to avoid slips that will later be impossible to solve.

Think that an error in any of the factors mentioned in this article may be key to your application being rejected even before you are scheduled for an interview. Before thinking that your professional experience is not good enough to get a job, analyze all these points. You will see that they are key for you to succeed in sending your resume!

Knowing how to write a good cover or motivation letter, and what parts it should contain, is essential to make a good impression on the HR staff who are responsible for the selection process in most companies. The more likely you are to be called in for an interview , the better your cover letter is, and the better you tailor it for the company or job.

To write a good cover letter , the first thing to do is to identify its constituent parts and their content. As a rule, the letter is divided into three parts, the content of which varies depending on the purpose and type of job you are applying for. Most HR professionals are used to this type of structure, so they quickly read through the information to find what makes each candidate different.

Review examples of cover letters

Before you start crafting your letter, take some time to have a look at the best sample letters on the internet and the ones available in your office. As a result, you will have an idea of how to innovatively structure your own and get to know the specific information to include in your letter. Also, check out available cover letter templates and tailor them to fit your abilities and the job you are applying for.

Customize your cover letter            

Creatively personalize your cover letter to meet the specific job you are applying for. To achieve this, carefully study the job listing then identify two to three skills and abilities that the job requires then match your qualifications to the job. Show your prospective employer how you will benefit the company.

Blend in keywords

Take your time to highlight the keywords in the job posting then match them with amazing examples of your achievements and experiences. Use relevant keyword phrases found in the job listing since your cover letter may be scanned using an automated tracking system to look for specific keywords present in your letter, mainly if it is submitted digitally.

Choose the right type of cover letter

Be sure to select a suitable cover letter that suits what you are applying for. Remember that there are different types of cover letters, and you need to take your time to identify what is best for you. Consequently, there are two commonly known cover letters; the traditional cover letters and prospecting letters. Traditional letters are typically written when applying for specific jobs, whereas prospecting letters are written to inquire about possible jobs available in an individual company.

Format your cover letter professionally

Ensure that your letter not only has the right information but also appropriately formatted. Use a business letter format if you are required to send a physical letter and ensure that your contact information and those of the employer are included on the top of the letter. However, if you are sending your letter through email, ensure that the subject line has your name and the job title you are applying for.

A cover letter is the best way to introduce yourself to a company along with your resume , but unlike the latter, a cover letter can provide a much more personal touch to your candidacy for a job . The letter usually accompanies the resume and specifically states your skills, motivation, and reasons why you are the ideal candidate for the position.

Keep your letter brief

Your cover letter should not exceed a page, and it should consist of at least three to four paragraphs. Most hiring managers find it annoying to read long cover letters, and it is advisable to be brief and to the point since majority of them have many piles of covering letters to look at.

Address the hiring manager

Take your time to be personal in your letter and ensure that you address your cover letter to the specific employer who will be reading it. Find out more about the hiring manager and the company by checking it out on the company’s website or simply check out the job posting if it has a contact to inquire from. Alternatively, if you happen to have any contact person in the company who might have referred you, mention their name in the first paragraph of your letter to attract the employer’s interest.

Avoid duplicating your resume

Your cover letter ought to complement your resume, not a duplicate of what is in your CV. Use your letter to highlight your top skills and achievements over the years and use a personal tone to build a good rapport with the hiring manager. Showcase your goals and convince the recruiter that you are an appropriate candidate to be considered for the job.

Use a basic font

Choose a font that is easy to read and leave adequate white space to increase the legibility of your cover letter. Use either Times New Roman, Arial or Calibri to give the hiring manager an easy time when reading your letter. Besides, include spaces between salutation, paragraphs, and your signature to show your reader that you are organized and to make your cover letter easy to skim.

Proofread your cover letter

Before you send your letter, be sure to look up for spelling and grammatical errors. You should read your letter aloud to check out for possible mistakes made and ask a friend to help you check for errors.

Note that a slight typo may reduce your chances of getting to an interview, and it is, therefore, crucial that you thoroughly proofread your letter.