Job Interview: How to finish "First" even if you finished second

Here's how to get a second chance for that ideal job that you finished second for.

As a recruiter and career coach for the past 15 years, I cannot count how many times I have heard a candidate inform me they "finished second" for job they really wanted. I often ask candidates what did after they did after not getting the job. Most respond with nothing while others sent a standard thank you email to the company in appreciation for their consideration.  From a strategic point of view, both follow up-actions do very little to give these candidates a second chance for that job. 

Try this strategic approach to get a real second chance for that ideal job you. Follow up with the management 2-3 months after not getting the job.Your timing may be ideal as the traditional 3-month probationary period for their new hire is approaching. Statistically a certain percentage of new hires simply do not work out as expected.

Conversely, some new hires might be less than thrilled with their new job or unimpressed with management or simply discover the corporate culture is not the right fit. Your timing and follow-up re-expressing interest in the position may be welcome news to the hiring manager for many reasons.

Most managers do not love the hiring process.  In fact we've all probably noted instances where less-than-ideal employees were kept beyond their probationary period simply due to management's lack of interest in spending another few weeks of time, effort and costs required to re-hire someone.

Furthermore, the other candidates that competed against you months ago rarely follow up.   So your well-planned follow-up call and renewed interest in the position may provide the perfect opportunity for management to re-consider hiring you, saving the company time, effort and money.

So when your searching for a great new career, remember you always have the second chance to finish first.

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About Minto Roy

Brings more than a decade of experience in career management. He provides expert commentary on employment issues and trends and has been a regular columnist for the South Asian Post. To learn more about Minto Roy connect with him on Twitter, or LinkedIn.

 

'Tis the season to be job searching

Abridged: St. Louis Today

ST. LOUIS, MO -- If you choose to keep searching for a new job during December, the following strategies can help you stay committed to the task. Manage your time. If you let it, time can swallow you up. That's why companies place so much emphasis on time management and productivity. But it's really not time that you need to manage, it's you and your ability to accomplish the task.

Schedules, deadlines and to-do lists can keep you focused in your job search. Every week, schedule a set amount of time for job search activities and holiday fun. For each activity, give yourself a scheduled start time and a completion deadline. Then, hold yourself accountable. During scheduled job searching time, don't be waylaid by easy distractions, such as spending too much time checking email, hanging out on social media sites like Facebook, browsing the internet, researching companies or chatting with friends under the pretense of networking.

Before engaging in any activity, ask yourself, 'Is this activity moving my job search forward?" If the answer is "no," drop it and move on. To be truly effective, it's important to limit or eliminate non-productive activities. Additionally, it's important that you keep job tools up-to-date. Read trade publications and magazines in your niche area of interest. Regularly refresh and review your online resumes and professional profiles, such as the one you have posted at CareerBuilder, Monster or Dice.com. Doing so will help your resume rise to the top in employer-initiated searches rather than staying buried in cyberspace.