So you’re probably wondering why anyone would want to thank a company for rejecting them. That’s certainly NOT your first reaction. Well, since you didn’t get the job anyway, what could it hurt to try once more to connect? This sample rejection thank you note may just help you plant a seed that grows!

In my own career, more than once I wound up getting a job that I was not the first candidate for. Well, it was usually because I was trying to talk my way into a job where I didn’t have direct experience. (Will talk about that later on in this post.)

While not always successful, on occasion persistence can pay off. And so can networking and relationship building over time. You never know when an impression you leave after an interview leads to a job in the future. Now for that sample…

SAMPLE REJECTION THANK YOU NOTE [Read more…]

Before a job interview there are a few things that would help for you to know. I recently wrote a much a longer version of this, but for simplicity sake, here is the handy-dandy condensed version — with a few extra tips.

Hopefully this will help you review your pre-interview “must dos” quickly. And feel free to add your own suggestions, ones that will help add to your feelings of confidence and interview readiness.

12 things you need to know before a job interview:

[Read more…]

As a former hiring manager, I get lots of questions from readers asking for all kinds of job interview tips. So I decided to provide a handy-dandy guide to what I actually look for when I sit down and interview candidates for a job.

Obviously each interviewer and industry is different. But I think these interview tips offer general advice that should work for most people. With that in mind, this is what I would be looking for if you walked into my office for an interview: [Read more…]

I just found “why do I get so nervous during job interviews?” among the search terms used to get to this blog.  In fact, there are quite a few of you looking for help with job interview nerves.  Clearly, being really stressed out by the interview process is not an isolated problem. (To say the least.)

So why do job interviews make us feel really nervous, even if we know we’d be great for the job? A good question indeed. I’ll do my best to come up with some answers. And offer tips to help you fight those annoying nerves that may be keeping you from the job you want.

Job interviews are stressful by nature

The situation itself puts us out of our comfort zone. None of us like to give up control to others when it comes to something as important as your career. And almost everyone gets nervous during interviews to one extent or another — sometimes even the interviewer is nervous!

I hope it helps to learn that most interviewers expect you to be at least a little nervous. But for some of us, the mere thought of being on the answer end of an interview question makes our nerves run wild — way beyond a little nervous! And that can be a problem.

Actors are usually told to take their nerves and turn them into performance energy. It would be great if we could do this in interviews. And it’s worth trying. But of course we don’t get to rehearse our exact words the way actors do. For most of us, the only thing we gain from a bad case of interview nerves is a strong desire to run!

Worst of all … as much as we want to gain control of ourselves and our nerves during an interview, the more we try to control our nerves, the less relaxed we are. But of course what we want more than anything during interviews is to relax and just be ourselves.

Luckily there are some things you can do to help. But first let’s answer the question I found…

Reasons you get nervous during job interviews

[Read more…]

Hi Ronnie Ann! Please help me. I don’t know how to interview after being fired. I was terminated from my job, nearly a year ago, because I decided to take a stand. There were some very questionable things going on within management.

Since it affected the employees and the company in a very negative way, I started a petition within my department regarding the issues. And more than half of the employees signed it. Then I submitted a letter, along with the petition to the compliance department.

My efforts got remarkable attention — resulting in a visit from the President of the company that included a one-on-one interview with everyone in the department. In the end, half of management was terminated. And that included me.

I imagine they were uncomfortable with me staying there considering what I knew. The much needed change that was due to that particular department was granted because of my actions. So I am very happy that the employees have a better place to work. Some of them had no positive outlet, including no high school diplomas. They had no way out.

After taking some time, I recently began seeking employment as a legal assistant and have gotten several call backs for interviews. How do I explain my termination without scrutinizing the company?

~~ Zandria

***

Handling the interview after being fired question

[Read more…]

Hello Ronnie Ann. It’s been nice to read all the advice you have given. Still waiting for job offer to be officially approved seems to be the worst waiting game for many of your readers. And now I am in the same boat.

Here’s my story. I flew in for a the job interview on July 7. And it went very well. My contact there (the hiring manager) tells me that I’m their top candidate. So now we are all waiting for job offer to get the final sign-offs.

About a week later, the hiring manager called and said that he put something together for me that should be a good territory. And it just has to be signed off on. I spoke to him the week after, and he said it is now in financing to be approved. So for now it has been two weeks and still nothing official.

Waiting for job offer is so slooow!

I spoke to my contact again on Monday, and he said that he is still waiting for it to be approved, But once again, he assured me that I am still “their guy”. This has me wondering. Do you think that I have anything to worry about?

It seems like things are going pretty slow. Especially after how quick they flew me in to interview, from when I submitted my resume. That only took 2 weeks.

Another question I had is, how often should you contact the hiring manager to inquire about the progress? One thing I don’t want to be is annoying to them.

~ David

And here’s my response …

Hi David,

As far as I can tell from what you wrote, all is on track. Internal processes can take weeks — often much longer than the whole initial interview process. Nothing’s for sure of course, but things look good. So relax, have faith, and find something to do in the meantime. Maybe a project or something you want to learn — or anything to keep your brain occupied!

⇒  MORE:  12 Ways to Stay Sane After a Job Interview

As for how often to contact the hiring manager … there’s no hard and fast rule. In your specific situation, you might send him an e-mail toward the end of next week. Just let him know you’re still interested, and ask if there’s anything more you need to do.

Truth is, at this point they know who you are, so unless you get another offer, give them some time. I once waited about 5 months to find out I was the top candidate. And I only e-mailed them every now and then. 🙂

Good luck! Please let us know what happens.

~ Ronnie Ann

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, as well as her many adventures as a serial job seeker.

[Post updated in 2020]

More posts to help

They Reposted the Job. Should I Kiss It Good-Bye?

After an Interview: Weekly Follow Up Calls and Emails

12 Things You Need To Know BEFORE a Job Interview

 

So What Really Happens After a Job Interview?

How Often Should I Call an Employer After My Interview?

Interview Nerves: Should I Apologize for Nerves in My Thank You Letter?

 

Did I Screw Up My Job Interview Thank You Letter?

Still Waiting to Hear Back After a Phone Interview

Why Do I Get So Nervous During a Job Interview?

 

What Does It Mean If a Job Is Checking Your References?

Job References: What If Former Bosses Don’t Work There Any More

Why Does It Take So Long After Your Interview?

 

Job interview nerves. We all get them. Really. So please don’t think you’re alone. Even if you prepared perfectly and have every qualification, it’s easy for doubt to creep in. And for many of us, doubt not only creeps in, it takes up residence in our heads.

But the good news is that you can do some things to help you feel better during the interview — and even beyond. And it starts with the all-important “P” word: PREPARE!

⇒  EXTRA:  Job Interview Thank You Apology Letter for Nerves?

 

BEFORE the interview starts

One of the best ways to help tame job interview nerves is to PREPARE. Really take time to follow these steps. They can make a huge difference to the way your mind and body react on the day of the interview. Winging it may sound great, but it can leave you feeling very exposed. [Read more…]

You work so hard preparing for your job interview. Then finally the big day arrives. And you do your best to make a good impression. Before you know it, your job interview is over! And there you are, stuck in the old waiting game,wondering about your chances for a second interview. With no idea what impressions you leave after an interview!

Did I do as well as I could have? What kind of an impression did I make? Could I have answered my interview questions better? What are they really thinking about me now that the interview is over?

Well, I can’t speak for everyone. But for me a job interview is kind of like tasting fine wine…First, there’s the initial impression. The way it tastes while drinking. And the feeling you’re left with afterward. And it’s that very feeling (memory impression) that can make all the difference.

Maybe too bold?  Or too acidy? Not yet mature? Too mild-mannered?  Possibly too complex? Not complex enough? Worse yet, not memorable at all? Or is it (hopefully) exactly the right blend of characteristics?

More ways a job interview is like tasting wine

[Read more…]

In most cases, the absolute power of a thank you note to win you the job is limited. Still, saying thank you after an initial interview or even later on in the hiring process is quite simply a smart thing to do. But the question of making it an interview thank you apology for nerves is another thing.

Whether you get those jittery interview nerves or stay calm and cool as a cucumber, here’s a basic tip on post-interview thank you notes: you want them to be short and sweet – a nice reminder of who you are and how well you would fit in with the rest of the company.

And if you do have something extremely relevant to add that will reinforce your value (a new degree, an award you just received, or a congratulations on something good that just happened to the company), by all means include that too.

Think twice about that interview thank you apology!

[Read more…]

Dear Ronnie Ann,

I am looking for a new job and was wondering if you could provide me with hints on how to handle a phone interview. Unfortunately, since  we’re unable to see the recruiter, we can’t rely on visual cues.

I just had a phone interview 2 days ago (see: screening candidates) and felt things went well. This is an initial, first phase interview and successful candidates are then sent for an on-site interview. She did say at the end of the phone interview that she would certainly recommend me for an in-person interview and wished me good luck.

How long would it take (if I am selected for a 2nd interview) to receive a phone call?

NB

***

Hi NB!

So glad you asked. This is the third phone interview question I’ve gotten this week. Must be in the air!

So how soon will you hear back after a phone interview?

[Read more…]

Dear Ronnie Ann: I am waiting patiently after a phone interview with an internal recruiter that went well. At the end of the interview, I was told that I would get a call from the hiring manager if I get a second interview. That was a week ago.

I’m starting to worry. Should I take some action or just wait? And if I it’s okay to call, would be alright to call the hiring manager directly? Or should I only follow up with the recruiter?

Please help!

~ Lowell [Read more…]

Dear Ronnie Ann,

I recently interviewed for a position in the company where I am an intern. My interviewer asked me why I left law school after one year, and I couldn’t give him a satisfactory answer. He later suggested that I should come up with a good answer for this question. (I am currently getting a second bachelor’s in computer sciences, so it’s a career change.)

I left law school about 10 years ago after something horrible and very personal happened to me (details omitted for privacy) and that led to deep depression and lack of motivation and ultimately to my resignation. Thankfully, I have since healed and moved on. In the intervening time I’ve had mostly office assistant jobs, but now I’m ready to start my new career.

The only problem is I don’t know how to answer this question about why I left law school. [Read more…]