Post-Interview Advice Please *I GOT IT!*

[pbarry]

There are more worldly members out there than me, especially regarding the contemporary interview process. I've been in the building trades off and on since I was 18, so I'm used to a few brief questions, and getting hired with a handshake. People see if you've got the skills you say you do, and it's all good.

I was invited to apply for a job with a local utility company by the manager of the department and had my interview today with the dept. manager, foreman, and HR guy. They are only choosing between 5 or 6 applicants, and I think I did well. However, my answers to a few of their questions could have been more complete. I feel like it would be good to email the department manager and expand on two or three items. Is that violating protocol? It's a small company, and pretty relaxed as far as I can tell; just out of my element here.. Any input would be appreciated.

[BumbleBeeDave]

. . . as far as I'm concerned. Shows you are complete and attend to details.

BBD

[FlashUNC]

A little follow-up never hurts.

[Louis]

. . . as far as I'm concerned. Shows you are complete and attend to details.

Agreed. And that you're interested enough in the job to follow-up.

Can't hurt. (Unless you go on and on about something trivial, in which case they may wonder what that's all about.)

I'd say do it, but don't over-do it. (whatever that means)

Edit: FYI, some folks send Thank-you notes / e-mails as a standard follow-up, even if they aren't adding real info. Just to reiterate that they're interested in the position.

[pbarry]

Good to hear guys. I feel better already.

[jtakeda]

I would NOT expand on your answers. It makes it sound like you're uncertain and want to revise your answers to cater to what you think the interviewer wanted to hear.

It is a good idea to email and thank them for their time and express your excitement about the position.

Good luck.

[pbarry]

Agreed. And that you're interested enough in the job to follow-up.

Can't hurt. (Unless you go on and on about something trivial, in which case they may wonder what that's all about.)

I'd say do it, but don't over-do it. (whatever that means)

Great advice, Louis. They are minor points, one being a question about "your last manger's good and bad points", and the other about "dealing with change". I was caught off guard by the thoroughness of the interview for sure.

[AngryScientist]

in the real world, when someone asks you a question at your job, the right thing to do is to tell them what you know, and research the items that you're lacking in, then follow-up with a complete answer. i think that's a good move for an interview too.

if you're relatively young and newer to the industry, it's most likely that they want to fill a position with someone enthusiastic about learning and growing with the company, showing enthusiasm and engagement is a good thing at this state


IMO.

[Louis]

They are minor points, one being a question about "your last manger's good and bad points"

I wouldn't mess with that one. Leave it alone - by going back to it you'll just be stirring the pot.

[AngryScientist]

I wouldn't mess with that one. Leave it alone - by going back to it you'll just be stirring the pot.

yea i agree, my advice above was based on thinking these questions were more technically based.

when an interviewer asks you questions like the one above, it's more about gauging your reaction under pressure than your actual answer i think.

[pbarry]

I would NOT expand on your answers. It makes it sound like you're uncertain and want to revise your answers to cater to what you think the interviewer wanted to hear.

It is a good idea to email and thank them for their time and express your excitement about the position.

Good luck.

Point taken, that is my dilemma. :) I don't think I hurt myself by my answers to those questions, but I could have fleshed them out a bit.

[pbarry]

yea i agree, my advice above was based on thinking these questions were more technically based.

when an interviewer asks you questions like the one above, it's more about gauging your reaction under pressure than your actual answer i think.

OK, y'all are convincing me to stay with the cards I have. I really appreciate the counseling.

[jtakeda]

I think what angry scientist said is great.

Enthusiasm and excitement go a long way. If the employer thinks you're going to like the job and likes you as a person it will help give you an edge over other candidates.

With a limited pool of candidates, you mentioned 5-6 people, I think a thank you email will go a long way.

[Wilkinson4]

A follow-up to thank them for their time is always good... Instead of expanding on your answers, maybe write something to the effect that you look forward to a second interview so you can have a more detailed conversation about the job.

mIKE

[Peter B]

<snip>I think a thank you email will go a long way.

I'd leave it at that.

[FlashUNC]

Follow-up thank you email is a given.

All the usual platitudes, and get a sense of their timeframe for making a decision. And volunteer how to be reached again if they have any follow-up questions.

[pbarry]

Would not have thought of the follow-up thank you email if I wasn't reviewing things in my mind. Excellent idea!

I did work the room a little with some self-effacing comments which seemed to loosed things up. And maybe an over confident answer: When the HR manger asked, "Where do you see yourself in five years?", I answered, "Well, working for you!". Got laughs tho.

[pbarry]

Follow-up thank you email is a given.

All the usual platitudes, and get a sense of their timeframe for making a decision. And volunteer how to be reached again if they have any follow-up questions.

Yes! Will email them tomorrow. This process a sea-change for me. Construction "HR" has been so different, IME, from the white collar professions in the hiring process, that the interview today was out of my realm of experience.

They will either make a decision or call for a second interview by Wednesday of next week.

[Fishbike]

Send a thank you email IMMEDIATELY. DO NOT WAIT!!!!!!

Have someone proof it.

Convey that you are very interested.

Maybe have a sentence about why you will be a good fit.

Don't put anything about prior managers in writing.

Thank them again for their time and say you look forward to hearing from them.

Good luck!

[jtakeda]

+1

[pbarry]

Your responses are just awesome. I'm verlempt. Thank You!

[PacNW2Ford]

Would not have thought of the follow-up thank you email if I wasn't reviewing things in my mind. Excellent idea!

I did work the room a little with some self-effacing comments which seemed to loosed things up. And maybe an over confident answer: When the HR manger asked, "Where do you see yourself in five years?", I answered, "Well, working for you!". Got laughs tho.

Good answer, especially if you followed up with a more thorough answer.

True stories on how not to answer it:

Them: "I want to be a project manager"
Me: Why would you choose the PM path over being a technical expert?
Applicant A: "Because all of my managers have been idiots, and I know I can do better."
Applicant B: "Because I don't have confidence in my technical abilities."

A handwritten thank you note is a great way to follow up.

[pbarry]

Good answer, especially if you followed up with a more thorough answer.

True stories on how not to answer it:

Them: "I want to be a project manager"
Me: Why would you choose the PM path over being a technical expert?
Applicant A: "Because all of my managers have been idiots, and I know I can do better."
Applicant B: "Because I don't have confidence in my technical abilities."

A handwritten thank you note is a great way to follow up.

Yes, I did. :) Handwritten note suggestion is the best! I live in a very small town and that is the perfect response here. :hello:

[slidey]

+1

Very tricky ground you'd be treading with this Q, and you had best leave it alone.

I wouldn't mess with that one. Leave it alone - by going back to it you'll just be stirring the pot.

[pdmtong]

i'd say that in any interview, there will be question(s) to which you wish you had a do over. the interview is your shot. that's it. say thank you and move on.

[pbarry]

I got the job!!! :banana::banana::banana:

After receiving a rejection letter saying they'd made an offer to the one applicant who had previous experience, I followed up with a phone call seeking feedback. The department manager assured me that my resume and interview were very strong, and so were my references.

At that point he mentioned that the guy they made the offer to, had not yet made a decision. They called on Friday with an offer which I readily accepted. It's been 20 years since I had full benefits, so I'm pretty psyched to be here.

Thanks to all who chimed in here. I don't know if I would have made the follow up call last week without your suggestions. The ensuing 20 minute conversation put me over the top, I'm sure.

Grazie Mille! :beer:

[Louis]

Congratulations. :):)

Good Luck with the work.

[BumbleBeeDave]

Woo-HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! :banana:

BBD

[pbarry]

Thanks, fellas! Did I mention the new commute is 2 miles?

[gavingould]

congrats! hopefully i'll be touting likewise soon enough as the current job is driving me to be disagreeable.

[Fishbike]

COngrats! So nice to see that Team Paceline helped in some small way.

[FlashUNC]

Well done.

[AngryScientist]

congratulations.

it does seem odd to me though that a company would send a rejection letter before the selected candidate accepted.

glad it worked out for you!

[veloduffer]

I got the job!!! :banana::banana::banana:

After receiving a rejection letter saying they'd made an offer to the one applicant who had previous experience, I followed up with a phone call seeking feedback. The department manager assured me that my resume and interview were very strong, and so were my references.

At that point he mentioned that the guy they made the offer to, had not yet made a decision. They called on Friday with an offer which I readily accepted. It's been 20 years since I had full benefits, so I'm pretty psyched to be here.

Thanks to all who chimed in here. I don't know if I would have made the follow up call last week without your suggestions. The ensuing 20 minute conversation put me over the top, I'm sure.

Grazie Mille! :beer:

Good move on the followup call - it showed that you were interested, serious and moreover, you were diligent. All aspects of a good hire. Congrats and good luck!:):banana:

[shovelhd]

Congratulations. Best of luck in your new position.

[DreaminJohn]

Late to this party, but congrats to you. And kudos to everyone who provided awesome advice.

:banana: