The Job Search Solution by Tony Beshara

Author:Tony Beshara
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: AMACOM Books
Published: 2012-03-12T16:00:00+00:00

Ending the Initial Interview

Once you and the hiring or interviewing authority have reached the end of the interview, you’re probably going to get some idea of what the next steps might be. Don’t be afraid to be assertive about pushing yourself into the next steps.

You may be surprised to discover that a lot of interviewing or hiring authorities are not sure of what the next steps might be. Most often, even though you have pushed for the next interview, a hiring or interviewing authority is going to say something like, “Well, we have a number of people to interview, we’re going to complete that process and then we’re going to set up second interviews.”

This is a perfect time for you to again ask, “Based on what our conversation has been here, I would think that I would be in that group, would I not? So let’s set up that second interview now.” Then you pull out your note pad or calendar and ask, “When would be good for me to come back?”

You will probably still get from the interviewing or hiring authority the standard, “Well, we’ll get in touch with you.” Again, this is an excellent time for you to find out how you really stand, relative to the other candidates, by asking, “Well, Mr. or Ms.______________, you must have some idea how I stack up with your ideal candidate or the others whom you have interviewed. Please tell me what you think.”

This kind of questioning (and statements) will usually get you a good idea of how you stand. It is relatively aggressive, and it does not necessarily come naturally or easily. But if you practice asking these kinds of hardball questions, they will wind up becoming very easy for you.

If you don’t get the chance to set a date and time for the next interview at the end of this initial interview, you need to ask for and get clarification of exactly what the next step might be. Most of the time the interviewing or hiring authority will give you an idea about what the next steps are, but most likely will not commit to your coming back, at least at this moment. Don’t worry about this too much. Remember, I’m emphasizing process. Getting an answer as to how you stack up relative to the others is merely part of the process.

You may have to ask the question of how you stack up with other candidates in two or three different ways. “Based on the candidates that you have interviewed, do you think I’m going to be one of the finalists?” is a phenomenal question to ask. It takes lots of courage, and most candidates, unfortunately, don’t have that kind of courage. You need to know how you stack up with other candidates and if you’re going to get asked back. If you’re not going to really be a contender, you need to know right now, so you don’t waste your time and effort pursuing the opportunity. “No” is the second-best answer you could get.

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