You’ve just finished a phone interview with an employer. Although you’re feeling positive about the interview, the employer said they would only be in touch if they don’t find someone more experienced. Feels like a slap in the face, right?
If you find yourself in this situation after an interview, it’s easy to jump to conclusions. Your first thought after a bad job search experience might be the employer will never contact you. You could also make the decision to forget about the interview and move forward with the rest of your job search. Regardless of how you’re feeling about the interview, don’t give up hope just yet.
There’s a secret to getting noticed by employers after an interview; you need to keep them interested even if they don’t hire you for the position. If you can make a good first impression and catch an employer’s interest, they’re bound to keep you at the top of their list of potential candidates.
To keep an employer interested in your application, it’ll require some action on your part. Heather Huhman, writing for Glassdoor.com, has identified five ways you can keep your application at the forefront of an employer’s mind during their hiring process.
Click through for five ways you can keep the interest of potential employers after an interview, as identified by Glassdoor.com.
Take initiative
If the interview didn’t end as you had hoped, it’s up to you to keep your name fresh in the interviewer’s mind. Take initiative to follow up with the interviewer and establish a connection. Even if the employer cannot offer you a job, find out if they can keep you updated about future job opportunities. This way, the interview doesn’t go to waste and you have a new connection.
Read between the lines during communication
Once the interview is over, take notes of the positive and negative feedback you received from the interviewer. For example, the employer said you’d be a stronger candidate if you had at least one year of experience. Instead of ignoring the interviewer’s feedback, inquire about internship opportunities. This shows your eagerness to learn and your interest in the company.
Gauge the employer’s attitude
Paying close attention to how you receive feedback from the employer can be a good indicator of whether you should keep in touch. If the interviewer or hiring manager seemed very friendly and timely with your follow up emails, this could indicate you have the opportunity to continue your relationship with the employer.
Float around their chain of command
Believe it or not, there a number of ways you can get your foot into a door at a company. Let’s say your initial contact with the employer was through human resources. This is a great way to get your foot in the door, but it doesn’t get you to the people who make the final hiring decision.
Consider reaching out to professionals who work in the department you’re trying to land a job with. Connect with them on LinkedIn or email them with questions you have about the position and learn more about the company. If you make a good impression, this is a great way to move your name to the top of the list of candidates to consider.
Keep employers informed
It’s always a good idea to keep employers informed about your job search, especially if they gave you serious consideration for the position. This shows employers your current interest in the position and whether they should consider you for future opportunities.
Employers pay attention to job seekers who put in extra effort to maintain a relationship after the interview. As you continue to keep employers interested in your application, remember to be professional, friendly, and considerate of their time.
