The Voice of Job Seekers

Mark Anthony Dyson ★ Career Writer ★ Speaker ★ Thinker ★ Award-winning Blog & Podcast! ★ I hack and reimagine the modern job search!

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The Slightly Uncomfortable But Necessary Times and Techniques to Following-Up

Follow-up is a staple of business and careers. It’s uncomfortable, yet necessary. Your career might be light years behind because you are afraid of being rejected or pigeonholed. We are going to dissect some awkward situations where follow-up is critical. I hope to remove some of the fear of following up and moving past any mistakes. You can feel fearful and deploy courage. Courage will win once you experience the benefits.
We live in an age where constant business moves and decisions exist. You’re not an employee anymore who settles into a job for years to come. You are a business of one. As soon as you accept this reality, you will seek clarity about your career more urgently.
I’ve been saying for more than two years now, “job search is a lifestyle.” But when I said it, it wasn’t new. “Everyone is a business of one“ is not new, either. More acceptance of it is new. You can bet people make perpetual moves because they’re uncomfortable with uncertainty. A close friend of mine is one of those over-employed people. He says 70% of time during his recent job searches is spent making follow-up calls.
Here’s what makes follow-up tough and time-consuming:
  • Calling back to follow up after an interview or conversation for opportunities is humbling. They promise to call you after a date, and the hiring manager or HR didn’t contact you. Yet, you’ll need to follow up a couple of times to no avail. You don’t want to be a pest, yet how many times is too many is subjective.
  • There are times the follow-up can be a dud. Not everyone will welcome a follow-up but will appreciate your effort. All of it may amount to nothing. You must be OK with it because you can move on. It’s only disappointing if there are no other potential opportunities.
  • HR professionals and hiring managers are not always thrilled to call you back. It’s one more call of a hundred they need to make, and even though you performed well during your meeting, you may not stand out to them yet.
  • Decision-makers say they like persistence if someone calls a few times to get through with an email or phone, yet they don’t always reward those who are tenacious. You must be resilient because the “not-rejected-not-hired” tone is painful.

Follow-up is about business.

In business, it takes several contact points to collaborate with another entrepreneur. In most employer/employee situations, the same idea applies. People go into business with whom they know, like, and trust. When hired, the employer trusts their investment in you will bear fruit in an employment situation. In today’s job search, you are separate from the company.
You are the business. Start treating yourself and your career that way.
Employment is a paid collaboration between you and the company that always looks to add talented professionals to their team. People who apply and interview are a dime a dozen. Those who stand out are the contenders. That’s the end game with follow-up.

Success: Doing what’s uncomfortable

Between me overexplaining and you overthinking it, following up is necessary, especially when it comes to having the conversation rather than just getting a yes or no.

Every interaction is intel for you, including what is said and what isn’t. Most people are uncomfortable with the unknown, but uncovering the unknown is the task.

Follow up on good conversations.

Networking takes work to meet people, but the magic is in conversations that initially are unrelated to what you need at the moment. The best conversations I’ve ever had were where no one asked for anything. Chemistry is a legitimate reason to follow up after a great discussion 24-48 hours afterward in thanking someone for their time. When you don’t take these for granted, the return will multiply over time.

Getting constructive direction

For coffee or an informational interview, helpful people will throw a nugget for you to follow. It could be a job lead, someone to call, an event to attend, a course to take, or someone’s LinkedIn profile of someone who shares great content. Some people will say, “let me know what you think,” and more often than not, the other person misses a follow-up opportunity. I call this “constructive direction.” Understand the person wants to know if you’ll follow up. They are interested in your success and may give you more help.
One step further in this is to ask, “Can I follow up with you and let you know what I found?” Or, “how did this interaction go?” People will be more helpful than you think, and sometimes a gentle prompt of curiosity on your part can provide more intel for your job search.

Job offers

While this response is the most critical, you still must be strategic in what you’ll say. The basic tenets of responding to a job offer are communicating the time you want to look over the offer, and think thoroughly about the compensation package. The first thing your response should include is to express gratitude for the opportunity.

Graceful in rejection

In my days as a manager, it was rare that I received thank–you letters. Once, I received a thank–you letter from a woman who said, “Whether hired or not, I thought you were thoughtful and respectful of my achievements. Our interaction was rare as most interviews are so impersonal and trite.” I hired her, and she became a rockstar team member.

When you need to provide a more precise answer

Interviews are nerve-wracking and sometimes very stressful. Not everyone is calm under pressure, nor can they offer adequate answers to questions. It’s OK to follow up with the interviewer during or after the interview to clarify an answer. If you’re writing a thank–you note or email, you can take the time to clarify a specific question if you felt your original answer was vague or unclear. You can also call the interviewer to offer a different answer if you think it would impact the outcome.

Epilogue

Every stage of the job search process requires follow-up. As you prepare for a successful job interview, you must put the same energy into the post-interview follow-up. People are busy with many priorities and people who depend on them. Go beyond discomfort and fear. Top candidates who regularly make it to the final stages of the hiring process understand more what happens outside of the interview than during the interview.

Overall, follow-up is the key to successful networking. Treat each interaction and relationship you build as if it will grow and not be final. The opportunities to give are immense compared to what you’ll get in a second chance.

About Mark Anthony Dyson

I am the "The Voice of Job Seekers!" I offer compassionate career and job search advice as I hack and re-imagine the job search process. You need to be "the prescription to an employer's job description." You must be solution-oriented and work in positions in companies where you are the remedy. Your job search must be a lifestyle, and your career must be in front of you constantly. You can no longer shed your aspirations at the change seasons. There are strengths you have that need constant use and development. Be sure you sign up to download my E-Book, "421 Modern Job Search Tips 2021!" You can find my career advice and work in media outlets such as Forbes, Inc., Fast Company, Harvard Business Review, Glassdoor, and many other outlets.

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9 Career Experts Weigh-In On Follow-Up Mistakes Job Seekers Make

9 Career Experts Weigh-In On Follow-Up Mistakes Job Seekers Make by Mark Anthony Dyson

Follow-up is one of the vital parts of your job search you control. It is the life support of all of your efforts. During unpredictable job market activity, you’ll need to drive results. My focus on a follow-up series is motivated by the opportunities I hear job seekers miss when a follow-up call or email would impress an employer or tell them they hired someone else, along with many other reasons.

The first article in the series focuses on follow-up after the interview, and it’s essential to be thoughtful and strategic. Your approach matters; remember, no action dismantles the hard work you spent years building. People fear rejection and don’t want to be told no. I mention many other reasons and scenarios other than interview follow-up is essential.

The second article offers ten mistakes job seekers must avoid for successful follow-up. While getting hired is the ultimate goal, there are many pieces along the way that helps you traction. While the worst mistake is no follow-up, the lack of thoughtfulness will thwart your efforts.

I recently shared some thoughts on LinkedIn and asked if I missed any common mistakes. Below are responses I received from career experts, and I thought they were so good that I wanted to share them here. I also link to the person’s LinkedIn account so you can follow them, their content, and other helpful information they provide job seekers:

Here is quality advice on why and how you should follow up during the job interview process: 

Jim Black, Certified Career and Life Coach

“I tell people to show real enthusiasm before, during, and after the interview. It gets you far! So if you like the job, show that you are enthusiastic about it, verbally and in writing. If you aren’t enthusiastic, don’t go for the job.”

Dr. Scott Dell, Career Educator, LinkedIn Advocate

“Two other questions that I suggest candidates asking DURING the interview (besides the intelligent ones you are asked if you have any further questions). The first is obvious, but the second is more controversial. One, is what are the timeframe for the decision making process, next steps and when would be a good time to follow up – and then make sure to follow up! The second is about the competition, as in “If I may ask, how many other candidates are in the pipeline” and “what are the strongest things you think I bring to the table (and watch for what is NOT said.” This will bring up some of the strengths to emphasize and reinforce with your next communication to help them remember you.”

Norma Davila, Resume Writing & Career Management Expert

“Another follow-up mistake which may be even worse than no follow-up at all: coming across as desperate for the position by sending too many emails or making too many calls and not giving hiring managers or recruiters time to respond.”

Bill Holland, Ph.D., Principal Founder, College to Career Catalyst, LLC, and Author

“One reason why employers have short memories has to do with the relativeness of what is important to them versus what is important to you. Your job search and candidacy are likely among the highest of your priorities. Your priorities and that of the employer as closer together if, and only if, you happen to be their top candidate or among the top few.”

If you are a top candidate, the value of follow up is easier to understand. If you are not, follow up feels more like busy work. When you allow that feeling to dictate how you respond it leads you to at least one of the nine mistakes listed above. Do not let that happen to you. Toward the end of the interview tell them you would like to follow up but do not want to be a pest. Ask, ” when should I follow up?”

Virginia Franco, Executive Storyteller, Certified Resume + LinkedIn Writer

“There’s literally no downside to writing a thank you note, especially one that expresses genuine interest.”

Jim Peacock, CCSP, GCDF

“One of the top skills employers are looking for is communication skills. Why not start demonstrating your skills right after the interview?”

Loren Grieff, Career Coach, Founder of Portfolio Rocket Careers

“…for goodness sakes, please create a Non-Generic subject line!!”

Meg Applegate, Award-Winning Resume Writer & Certified Personal Branding Strategist 

“A generic follow-up is a mistake. Be specific. Reference something from your conversation and better yet, add even more value around that topic.”

Farnoosh Brock, Empowering STEM Professionals & Students with Essential Leadership Skills 

It is simple and easy when you know enough to know if you’re enthusiastic about the job, and yet, I find many just don’t know so much about (1) what they want (2) what excites them (3) what drains them (4) what criteria matters to their job success (5) what their core values are and how the environment fits/misfits it and so on.”

About Mark Anthony Dyson

I am the "The Voice of Job Seekers!" I offer compassionate career and job search advice as I hack and re-imagine the job search process. You need to be "the prescription to an employer's job description." You must be solution-oriented and work in positions in companies where you are the remedy. Your job search must be a lifestyle, and your career must be in front of you constantly. You can no longer shed your aspirations at the change seasons. There are strengths you have that need constant use and development. Be sure you sign up to download my E-Book, "421 Modern Job Search Tips 2021!" You can find my career advice and work in media outlets such as Forbes, Inc., Fast Company, Harvard Business Review, Glassdoor, and many other outlets.

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The One Job Search Strategy for Perpetual Career Advancement

The One Job Search Strategy for Perpetual Career Advancement

I had great mentors during my career, and three of them were bosses, and all of them were women. They leveraged their position to help position me to advance my career. Not only were they meaningful teachers of what they shared with me, but were also practitioners of what they taught me. One of them taught me a significant job search and career strategy you’ll want to use from now on. 

One of my mentors and bosses was Eileen, who, from the day she became my boss, assured me she would prepare me to take her position when she moved. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen, but her preparation took me to the next step. To this day, there was one thing she told me I wanted to share with you. It aligns with my mantra of job search being a lifestyle. 

I shared with Fast Company several months ago (reprinted by The Ladders) that Eileen told me once no matter how well or not so well things were going in her current job or career, she interviewed once a year with another company. I thought that was crazy at the time, but I remembered it but did NOT practice at the time. But it did come in handy later in my career, especially as I shared this advice with past clients and job seekers over the years. 

Many of you are still fighting the idea of managing your career closer than you have in the past. Here are the benefits you’re missing:

  1. Unless you are actively involved in an industry organization (and every job has its industry), interviewing is the only you’ll find out how the landscape is changing. Today, most industries and jobs evolve because of tech upgrades, making things easier, faster, bigger, or stronger. You may think that you work the cash register, yet you’re in the retail or department stores industry if you work at Best Buy. You can start by checking the list of organizations at Job Stars. By default, you may consider joining a customer service organization (or name a logical association with your profession) such as the National Customer Service Association. 
  2. Job interviewing is a skill, and there are trends constantly changing in all industries. You’ve heard much about video interviews are becoming a staple in screening applicants and job candidates before meeting with a decision-maker. You probably didn’t know some industries use panel interviews and require the candidate to engage in more than five rounds of interviews. Those are important if the last time you’ve interviewed was two years ago. 
  3. Your ability to adapt will be tested either by the process itself or within the interviewing process through questioning. If you fail to articulate your challenges during the pandemic through trials or transition, you may not resonate with a company that has endured multiple challenges from the beginning. 
  4. Interviewing more often will challenge your knowledge of emerging technology. Companies prefer someone who is tech-ready from day one. Others may train you, but it helps to know what’s trending. You can decide if you need to invest in updated training or add value to your current employer by mentioning what the industry is using.  They may ask you to make suggestions. There’s no need for me to tell you what that means to every employer. 
  5. Interviewing each year could increase your network when you are getting referrals if you’re thoughtful in creating great conversations. Let’s say you don’t get a job offer from the company you meet with, but you ask them to connect with you on LinkedIn. By maintaining that relationship opens many possibilities to get other referrals or interview again at a better time when you’re a better fit. 
  6. You’ll get used to customizing your storytelling abilities to each employer. No one tells a story, a joke, anecdote the same way each time. As you understand the industry at large, you’ll appreciate each interview will listen for a resonating narrative. 
  7. Industry terminology also changes, like the direction of the wind. I’m sure if I told you to “cool out,” you’ll think I’m a Cro-Magnon man. Similarly, if you use a term, you think it sounds like you’re knowledgeable, and it isn’t changing the way an interviewer sees you. 

The more frequently you interview while you’re employed, the better you’ll prepare yourself for when it’s time to change jobs or careers. I didn’t discuss in this article how this practice can help you bring more value to your current company or provide you with additional intrinsic motivation. You can also decide if there is a future in the industry and decide it’s time to explore other options. Over time, you control the pivots and advances and are caught unready for economic or sector crashes. 

 

 

About Mark Anthony Dyson

I am the "The Voice of Job Seekers!" I offer compassionate career and job search advice as I hack and re-imagine the job search process. You need to be "the prescription to an employer's job description." You must be solution-oriented and work in positions in companies where you are the remedy. Your job search must be a lifestyle, and your career must be in front of you constantly. You can no longer shed your aspirations at the change seasons. There are strengths you have that need constant use and development. Be sure you sign up to download my E-Book, "421 Modern Job Search Tips 2021!" You can find my career advice and work in media outlets such as Forbes, Inc., Fast Company, Harvard Business Review, Glassdoor, and many other outlets.

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