Calling All Professionals: Post Interview Question

[Lia]

I had a job interview earlier this week for a Project Coordinator position (in the Marketing dept. of a journalistic company). I was interviewed by 3 people: The HR Specialist, The Marketing Director and The Vice President of the Marketing Dept. The interview went ok, but I specifically really enjoyed my conversation with the VP...we had a great chat. He told me that his son had a similar skills and education background like mine. And at the end, he said that he's not sure yet if I'm the right fit for the position (I might or might not be), but regardless, he wants me to talk to someone in the company that is looking for someone with my skills and background. At the end, he said he looks forward to speaking more with me. I'm not sure what he means by this...

Anyways, I sent all three of them a thank you letter separately after the interview... but I really want to get back to the VP to follow up about his statement of referring me to the other person in the company. Or to just remind him about me in general, so that I stand up as a candidate.

How do I do this? Should I call him or send him an email? Or should I wait for their hiring decision - to see if they offer me the initial job I applied for?

Any suggestions?

Many thanks!
Lia

 

[Heiroglyph]

You know I don't know. I have never applied for a job where I left not knowing if I had the job or not, and if I did leave not knowing if I had the job then I knew I didn't have it or would not wait to find out. My line of work may be different than yours though. Generally in Construction if you have some experience and the guy likes you on the spot then you got the job and they dont want to interview every guy in town just to fill one job.

 

[BeautyForAshes]

I typically will call back about 3 days (a week at the latest) later with my followup questions. Normally, I'd say a day or two but with this being an employers market (which now means that it can take days/weeks for people to make a decision) I went for 3.

I've only done this twice and each time, I got the job. You did good my sending an actual thank you letter because (1) most job seekers don't or (2) they either send it by email. Old fashion letter writting is a lost, but unforgetable gesture.

Just make sure that your questions are intelligent and carefully thought out - as opposed to being something basic (ie how many holidays do you give your employees) that would have already been covered during your interview process.

 

[stormgade4]

I second Beauty's recommendations. Three days is a good bet if you don't hear from them beforehand.

And also don't call repeatedly if they aren't there. They might be busy and not pick up the phone but see your number on the caller ID every five minutes. That screams desparate.

As for my experience, it's not really a fair comparison. In the field of financial services, I can walk into any company and get a job. I have the licenses, experience, and I just flat know what to say (and not to be pompous in saying this either).

It's the companies that challenge me on why I want to work with them I like the most. Call this counterintuitive, but when I got declined for a position at A.G. Edwards (a very renouned brokerage firm), my impression of them went up.

 

[AveMaria]

I vote for sending a short note - so few job hunters do, these days! It shows you're willing to go that extra mile.

I usually take writing paper and envelopes to job interviews with me, and jot a brief note immediately after leaving the interview and drop it in the mail that day, so it will usually arrive the next morning.

Good luck!!!

 

[Lia]

I typically will call back about 3 days (a week at the latest) later with my followup questions. Normally, I'd say a day or two but with this being an employers market (which now means that it can take days/weeks for people to make a decision) I went for 3.

I've only done this twice and each time, I got the job. You did good my sending an actual thank you letter because (1) most job seekers don't or (2) they either send it by email. Old fashion letter writting is a lost, but unforgetable gesture.

Just make sure that your questions are intelligent and carefully thought out - as opposed to being something basic (ie how many holidays do you give your employees) that would have already been covered during your interview process.

Could you give some pointers of the kinda questions that I should/could ask, Beauty? I've never made this kind of follow-up call before, so I'm kinda clueless... maybe you could give some examples/suggestions... thanks!

 

[BeautyForAshes]

Could you give some pointers of the kinda questions that I should/could ask, Beauty? I've never made this kind of follow-up call before, so I'm kinda clueless... maybe you could give some examples/suggestions... thanks!

Sure First, I need some details about the job and company (what it is, etc.). But just in general (this is just general) here are a few things to consider:

1. If there is something going on in the news that concern's this company's industry, job, etc. as how you think it may affect you or your job
Ex. lets say you are applying for a job with a communications company...

I was reading the other day that congress is considering deregulating telephone markets in large urban areas and I was wondering if this position would be involved with brainstorming ways to combat the negatvie effects of this? Being able to stay ahead of the competition is something that I enjoy doing blah, blah, blah
(Cripes, this is SOOOOOOO general, so I hope it makes sense )

2. Think of something that the interviewer had touched on during the interview and build a question off that.

Let me stop, because like I said without more detail, its hard for me to come up with something. Followup questions really do require research because you want to remind them that you are eager, sharp, and basically WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR THEM - which really is what successful interviewing is all about.

Hey, if you don't mind relocating to Kansas, my company has quite a few openings in our marketing department (ie advertising in both print, TV, radio, etc.). Its a national company with lots of opportunities to relocate elsewhere. Just PM me for info.

 

[stormgade4]

If it's a public company, get an annual report, read it, then pull it out and reference it during the interview. One of my interviewers almost wet his pants when he saw it and I asked a question the company itself didn't want to answer.

 

[JPPT1974]

If it's a public company, get an annual report, read it, then pull it out and reference it during the interview. One of my interviewers almost wet his pants when he saw it and I asked a question the company itself didn't want to answer.

Wet in his pants! That is something that I would have love to have seen!

 

[Lia]

edited. sorry.

 

[Diane_Windsor]

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Diane