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"Sit by the phone Joan" was a character I developed to teach job-hunting techniques in my job center workshops.
In some ways Joan was an ideal job seeker. She read job boards and classifieds and searched the Internet daily. Her résumé was without error. She crafted a unique cover letter for every application and prepared carefully for interviews. She walked out of most interviews feeling she'd aced them.
That is when her problem began. Joan prepared so diligently and performed so well, she always felt a job was hers. "Why keep on sending out résumés and working so hard when I'll be starting my dream job soon?" she reasoned. And Joan started waiting for the call.
Have you ever found yourself waiting by the phone after an encouraging interview? It's time to break this bad habit.
Hiring decisions take longer than jobseekers imagine. Another candidate might come along.The employer could change or eliminate the job.
Meanwhile, as you wait for a call, you loose momentum. Here are smart moves to make after a job interview:
• Evaluate your performance. Recreate your interview and ask yourself, how did I do with that question? If you feel you came up short, come up with a better answer and practice it.
• Send a thank-you note.
• Evaluate the boss and company. Would I like to work here?
• Get back to job hunting. Network. Apply to new jobs.
• Follow up with the company if you don't hear back in a reasonable time.
