After your interview. you may wonder whether to send a post-interview thank you note or letter. And if so, what should the note say? Or NOT say. (That’s right. You can still screw things up. But I’ll say more about that later.)

Just remember that your interview process does not start or end at the interview itself. Every contact you have with the company — or even people somehow connected to the company — can wind up being communicated to the hiring team.

And so whatever you do, you want to add positively to the picture of yourself you’re painting. And that even applies to thank you notes!

⇒  MORE:  10 Impressions You Leave After a Job Interview

 

Do after-interview thank you notes really matter?

Thank you notes are a nice extra. They won’t on their own get you the job — except in rare cases. And not if you aren’t qualified for the job. But they shouldn’t lose you the job either. (Again, there are exceptions.)

Although I never ruled someone out for not sending one, some hiring managers may use the lack of one to help eliminate people. Not my idea of smart hiring, but everyone is different — especially if the job requires relationship building and interpersonal communication. Still, odds are it won’t cost you the job if you’re highly qualified in their eyes.

But why risk it? A short, polite, well-written post-interview thank you can add a positive note to the impression you leave behind. It can help you stand out (and be remembered) as someone thoughtful and professional who they’d enjoy working with. Especially if you take the time to make it a good one! [Read more…]

If you’re worrying about a job interview, I have some good news. You’re not alone. Most people worry about interviews. But there’s more good news. A lot of things you’re worrying about may not be all that important to your eventual success.

Now I’m not saying you don’t need to prepare — and a key part of that is actually feeling prepared. But it’s also good to know some things about the interview process itself. And about the mental framework of the folks who interview you.

Remember:  Interviewers have their own worries … will they find someone who fits well with the job and company. Hiring the wrong person is both costly and disruptive.

⇒  MORE:  How To Prepare for a Job Interview

 

So if you are worrying about a job interview…

I spent many years helping hire people. Besides overseeing the process, I screened resumes, worked with HR, spoke with potential candidates on the phone, and then helped conduct interviews.

But you learn the most by listening to comments from the hiring team. Seeing what things matter to them, what’s easily overlooked, and what impressions stick. In the end, the things you might worry about — and kick yourself for afterward — may not hurt you at all.

Five things you may not know:

1. 1.  They brought you in because they are hoping you’re the right one. So unless they’re the kind of nasty people you wouldn’t want to work for anyway, they’re basically rooting for you. And will listen carefully to find things you can contribute to the job / team.
   2.  Connecting with the interviewer(s) is as important as any of your answers. People want to hire people they would enjoy working with. And people they can trust to support them — as well as get the work done. Folks they believe can help them find answers, rather than just problems and complaints.
      • Conversational is way better than sitting stiff and looking like you’re being grilled — even if you are!
      • Lean in, take an extra breath if needed, and just talk to your interviewer like someone who just asked for your help. In a way they did — they want you to help them see how well you fit their company and the job.
   3.  It’s not so much any one answer, but how you leave them feeling. And one answer won’t do you in — unless it’s so horrible even you wouldn’t hire you.
      • Question: “What’s you’re greatest strength?”
      • Bad answer: “I’m creative. I look for creative ways to get out of doing my own work.”
   4.  An interview begins before you arrive and continues after you leave. Impressions you leave at any point matter big time. How you treat a receptionist. Or any person who answers the phone. Or even someone you think isn’t anyone. The word gets around — especially if you are rude or seem to be high maintenance!
      • Treat everyone even remotely related to the company with respect. (Not a bad policy in general.)
      • And show a positive, flexible, solutions-oriented attitude to all, as if each one can decide your fate. Because you might be surprised who can.
   5. Nerves alone won’t lose you the interview — unless it’s a job like brain surgeon. Interviewers expect some nerves. And your best defense against nerves is preparing.  (See How To Prepare post mentioned above.)

Still worrying about a job interview?

It’s totally normal. Until it’s over, there’s no way to shake off every single interview nerve. And a little bit of nerves can actually help with your energy. Maybe tell yourself that when you do start to worry.  🙂

But knowledge and familiarity with a process helps, too. So here are some more posts to help — both before, during, and after!

Job Interviews: 10 Impressions You Leave After an Interview

18 Practical Tips to Help You Ace Your Job Interview

15 Things I Look for When I Interview People

Job Interview Nerves? Tips for Before, During & After

 

After the Job Interview: Why Haven’t They Called Me Yet?

Stuck in the Waiting Game After 2nd Interview

What Is Being Overqualified for a Job?

 

So What Really Happens After a Job Interview?

12 Ways to Stay Sane After a Job Interview

Why Does It Take So Long After Your Interview?

 

If you’re stressing over how to give a perfect job interview, here’s some good news: there’s no such thing. Too many things go into an interview, including interview chemistry. So your real job is simply to give the best interview YOU can give. That’s all anyone can do.

You can let go of any pressure to be perfect. The interview process is about finding the right match. But since there is no perfect job or perfect interviewer, a “perfect” interview would be wasted. Whatever perfect is anyway. Mostly it’s about the overall impression you leave.

But there are things you can do to help your chances. Ways to reduce nerves and increase how “present” you are — meaning you can be yourself while having a conversation. Of course, you still want to make sure you aim the interview in a way that shows how well you match.

Some “best interview” tips to help

[Read more…]

While you want to come off as natural as possible, please don’t think that means you shouldn’t prepare for a job interview. During the interview itself, mindset and familiarity with the job and company — as well as what YOU bring to the specific job — will help you relax enough to be yourself.

I remember well my first interview where I relied on “quick thinking and natural charm” to win the day. And I also remember how nervous I got — and not getting the job. While I can’t guarantee that prepping for an interview will always land you the offer, feeling well-prepared can help ease your nerves enough to at least show interviewers who you really are. And that’s a big part of getting any job.

Prepare for a job interview to ward off brain freeze!

[Read more…]

Didn’t get the job offer you wanted? Got the bad interview blues? Does “I got rejected AGAIN” feel like your new mantra? I know it doesn’t help all that much, but please know that even seemingly “perfect” candidates experience those feelings.

With all my heart, I wish that you would get the offer you want every time you interview. And then YOU can be the one who gets to decide whether to accept the job or not. But sometimes you just don’t get the offer — even if you’re totally qualified.

Wondering why you didn’t get the job offer?

[Read more…]

Reader fired for reading patient records

Hi Ronnie Ann. I got myself into a predicament and need your advice. Until yesterday, I worked in the office at a healthcare facility. But I got fired for reading patient records. Here’s the thing … I was given access to both the office manager’s and the administrator’s passwords as part of my job. And we were actually recommended to read patient charts to keep abreast of things.

I only work part time and on my days off I would read patient records, which is accessible online (kind of a dumb setup if you ask me). Anyway, I didn’t know that reading patient records is a serious offense. And so I was fired for doing that.

How do I answer the job interview question why was I fired from my previous job? I hate that I’m going to have this stigma attached to me. But I honestly had no clue that this was against the health regulations. (And we were encouraged to read records.)

I had no previous training in the medical field. Also some of my current training went by the wayside because I was only part time. And they initially hired me to work the weekend.

You were a great help to me last time I asked for help. And so I hope you can help me again. I’m sorry to bother you once more. But I would be extremely grateful for any advice would be extremely grateful. I can’t seem to find any help online.

~ JoJo

HIPAA, reading patient records, and hope

Hi JoJo!

I’m so sorry you’re going through this. While I wish I could make this all go away for you, there are a few things I’d like to explain first. But most of all … hang in there. At one point or another, we all do things we wish we could take back. You’ll be ok.

First, this is a lesson you will remember a long time. And that’s a useful thing in case you ever work in a hospital or health facility again. (I’ll explain in a second.) But please don’t worry. As you create new work experience to offer in its place, the stigma will eventually fade into the distant past.

HIPAA law as it relates to patient records

There is a Federal law called HIPAA that, among other things, protects the privacy of our health records. And that includes reading patient records. Most major computer systems are available online now, JoJo. But the protection is that you need a secure password to get in.

Quite honestly, if the nursing home were operating from a security-first standpoint, you should have been given limited access. And NOT passwords assigned to others. That’s a mistake on them. They know reading patient records for entertainment or other non-medical needs is a big no-no!

These records are private. And no one except people directly concerned with treatment should be reading them. Personally, I would be appalled if I thought just anyone was reading my health records in their spare time! (I just want you to really understand what happened here.)

No question this company didn’t handle security as well as they could have. But considering the position you held there, reading private personal patient records while off duty is simply not ok. If you really get that and learn from it, I think this is a lesson that will serve you well for the rest of your career.

So where do you go from here?

All that said … I don’t want you to beat yourself up for reading patient records. Or feel bad. You really didn’t know. And we all make mistakes. Especially ones we weren’t properly advised about, as in your case. And we all move on. Lord knows I’ve screwed up so many times I can’t count it on my fingers!

Maybe someone else wants to chime in here. But for me the best way to handle this is by really knowing in your heart you’re a good employee. And that you will do your best for your next employer. Maybe even try harder as a result of lessons learned.

Some interview logic (and mindset) to help

In the interview, all I would say when asked is something like “I made a mistake. And I learned from it.”  If you like, you can add that you know mistakes occasionally happen. But you believe that the best thing we can do is learn from them. And then work extra hard never to let it happen again!

And hopefully you seal the deal by sincerely looking them in the eyes as you tell them you intend to work double hard to shine in this job. Maybe even give them another example from a job or elsewhere where you turned a mistake into something really good.

Real-life work stories help,

Especially if they end on a positive note.

And by being honest — again, without going into details — that may also help when they do reference checking. A good employer will like that you didn’t lie. But your approach, leaving them with s strong and positive impression, is really your strongest interview tool.

A few last thoughts

I have every faith you’ll be OK, JoJo. Don’t hold anger or resentment about all this. Least of all toward yourself. That can show in interviews and when networking.

Brush yourself off. And go find that next job. Each mistake makes us stronger. Just show the most positive, pleasant, fully-engaged side of yourself when you interview and you’ll get another chance.

Good luck!

[Post updated 2020]V

About the author…

Ronnie Ann, founder of Work To The Wise and Work Coach Cafe, bases her real-world advice on her many years as an organizational consultant where she helped interview and hire people, added to a certificate from NYU in Career Planning & Development and her own adventures as a serial job seeker.

More posts to help

Will Volunteering During Job Search Get You a Job?

What Are Transferable Skills?

15 Job Search Tips To Help You Get a Job

So Many Mistakes! How Do I Start My Career Over?

 

How To Mentally Prepare for a Job Interview

Job Interview Nerves? Tips for Before, During & After

18 Practical Tips to Help You Ace Your Job Interview

15 Things I Look for When I Interview People

 

So What Really Happens After a Job Interview?

10 Reasons You Didn’t Get the Job Offer

Should You Send a Post-Interview Thank You? [Sample]

 

Please Help Me With My Phone Interview!

How To Handle Tell Me A Little About Yourself Question

How Do I Interview After Being Fired?

They Want Supervisor References. Are These OK?

 

Start Building Networking Connections That Last

What Is LinkedIn & How Can It Help Me?

What Is Networking or Social Networking?

10 Things I Look for When I Screen Resumes & Cover Letters