| Whether at job interviews or other occasions, one of | | | | about writing a thank you note right after the interview |
| the best ways to alienate people is to seem detached | | | | to each of the interviewers. Well, that's something you |
| and disinterested when the other person is talking. On | | | | should certainly do. But that's not all there is to it. |
| the flip side, being attentive when someone speaks is | | | | Effective follow up involves remaining in touch with the |
| one of the best compliments you can give him or her. | | | | organization until you get a yes, a no or a maybe. It is |
| It is amazing how many job seekers simply don't listen | | | | your job to maintain that contact -- it is not up to your |
| carefully to the interviewer. They are too | | | | target organization to keep you informed of |
| self-absorbed and are busy composing an answer to | | | | developments. |
| the question they think the interviewer is asking. | | | | Just because you have sent a thank you note and not |
| Trying to answer a question before understanding | | | | heard anything from them for several days does not |
| what is being asked increases the odds that the | | | | mean that you will not get that job. All it means is that |
| response is not what the interviewer was looking for. | | | | you are not aware of what is going on at the |
| Only by listening actively can you hope to pick up the | | | | company you interviewed with. |
| interviewer's real intent and their true needs. If you are | | | | You are probably aware that a job interview is not a |
| focused and engaged, you will pick up these subtle | | | | one way street. The interviewers are judging you -- |
| cues. And that will enable you to craft good responses | | | | but so should you be judging them too. You need to |
| to their questions. | | | | maintain some of the control during an interview. |
| If asked, most people would say they are good | | | | On a similar note, you should take up some control and |
| listeners. But the fact is that many have poor listening | | | | responsibility after the meeting as well. Of course, |
| skills. Listening is not about waiting for your turn to | | | | follow up needs to be done in a tactful manner -- the |
| speak. Listening involves understanding what the other | | | | interviewers should not come to regard you as an |
| person is really saying so that you can respond to that. | | | | annoyance. |
| The other big mistake many job seekers make is that | | | | Use these approaches in your next job interview and |
| they do not follow through effectively after the job | | | | you will enhance your chances of landing the job you |
| interview is over. | | | | want. |
| The majority of job hunters think that follow up is | | | | |