Tips For Tomorrow, Following up a Job Application... Options

[Coomer]

Over the weekend I found what looks to be a great job for me. The job is to maintain and design a company's website and assist in the design documents for print and such. The company is a resort company located a little over an hour out of Yakima, so I'd be out of Yakima and 15 minutes away from the college that I plan to attend next year. There's a possibility that I might even get a place to stay at the resort since it mentions that relocation packages are available.

Anyway, I meet the minimum requirements for the job. The ad says that they'd prefer a bachelor's degree, but that at least three years of equivalent experience(which I have) would also work. I have a feeling that if I could convince them to have a look at my portfolio and interview me, that they'd be impressed and might offer me the job.

So anyway, yesterday I submitted my application online(I couldn't do it in person...online was all that was available.) In my cover letter to my resume, I commented that I would follow up within a couple days to answer any preliminary questions they may have.

So tomorrow,
I'm going to visit the resort and I think I'll ask if I can talk to the personel director. Once I do this, I plan to introduce myself, say that I applied online, and ask if they recieved my application and if there's anything else that they would like me to do. I plan to close up the conversation by letting them know that if there's anything they need, they can feel free to get a hold of me, and then I'll hand them one of my business cards.

I've got a nice dress shirt and nice Doc Martens shoes, and tonight I got some nice slacks and a nice belt, so I'll dress up for tomorrow. Any suggestions or tips for me before I go talk to them tomorrow?

[TheReader]

Hi Commer,

I wish you all the best in your job application. Although I am no expert in job applications here are my own suggestions.

1. Smile.
2. Be clean and tidy (clean face, hands and tidy suit and tie).

Good luck. I am sure you do well if you are your online self.

TheReader

[doGGy]

Good Luck Chris!

You should get this job 100%. We all know what you can do, so make them know this too

[Drocay]

make sure u put a nice shine on the shoes, it makes a impression.

[x_itchy_b_x]

firm handshake lol... iunno

[turboinduction]

First things:

Call first and talk to the recep. Ask her if you can have the name of the person who deals with the hiring process. This way you already know his name. Hang up. Wait about 2 hours. Call back and ask to speak with that person. This way the recep doesn't know your a new hirery. State who you are and ask for 10 minutes of his time. Show up early obviously.

Second things:
Take a notebook and pen. Perferred a portfolio type notebook, but a notebook is fine. Also, have a resume handy as he might not want to look at the computer. After a couple minutes of him asking questions you can ask. You have roughly 5-7 questions before your a bother. Plan them out accordingly. But right before you can talk, ask if he would mind if you took notes. Do NOT make any notion that you were going to before you asked. Make lots of eye contact. Being in sales, I can tell you 10 pages worth of information about a person by looking at their eyes for 5 seconds. If you are jerky, he'll see that you are nervious. Basically you need to hold your side of the power. Judging that your young like me and not in college (like me), you have a bias against you. Overcome this with upmost confidence and maturity. If he starts talking, shut up and let him finish. Business people hate to be cut off and hate it more when its someone younger than them. He's gonna ask you the dreaded question, "why should we hire you" and probably "what are your good attributes" or something of that. Be prepared to answer and answer without any "ums" or alot of thinking. Dont worry about being over-zealous. Your good and tell him just that.

Third Things:
Remember, you asked for 10 minutes of his time. If you are in the talking position when the 10 minutes are up... look at the clock, say "sir, it looks like the 10 minutes you gave me are up" and wait. Dont say a word until he responds. If you are doing good so far, he will say he has more time. If not, he will end it. This is a VERY good step and important to make. It shows that you respect his time and it forces him step up and ask more about you. On the first interview, dont talk about pay unless he brings it up. Normally there is a second interview if they have lots of people. Talk about it then. If it is brought up, be moddest, nod, but dont got to the extreme on either end. If you look super happy, its a sign of immaturity. If you look sad, you look greedy.

Forth Things:
After the interview, make sure to thank him for his time. Ask him when they will be making a decision about the position. Once thats answered, and it will normally be "once we've gone over everybody and had a chance to talk" or "we'd like to make a decision by....". This is called a bait and catch. Its a salesman's trick. You baited him. Now ask, "when would you like me to call back" Say that exactly. DONT add "...call back to find out about the position" He can say "we'll call you". If you say "when would you like me to call back" and shut up and wait. He will be forced with a time. Normally it will be a "we should know by ..." Ask what would be the most convenent time for you to speak with him. Now part. Leave. Your done. Here's what you do now. Before you went to the interview. In the mail, make a small letter thanking him for giving you the chance to speak to him. NO ONE DOES THIS. And you want to be different from everyone else. If you are just an hour away, he will get it the day after the interview. Its AWESOME AND WORKS. Oh, one last thing. If you are reading this and say "i'm the only guy wanting this job", assume your wrong and theres 10 guys waiting in line after you

If you need anymore tips, hit me up on AIM

Couple things about the above:
1. I suck at spelling, get over it
2. I, myself, used the tactics above on my first interview at a Honda, Mazda, Nissan store. I was hired within 15 minutes of the interview. I never handed him my resume until I left. The key is to sell yourself and sell big.
3. I learned this from many people. I've never been turned down for a job and no one I've helped has been turned down either.


Hope I helped.
-Ti

[orvillescelica]

wow, great tips Ti!

Good luck Coomer! Looks like youve got everything down!

[funnyboy117]

This should be a sticky or something, lol.

[jgreening]

Great tips TI. Sometime when I am going home to MN I am going to stop by your store and see if we can do some business.

Coomer, my recommendation is to skip the personnel director. Unless he is the direct person that will make the hiring decision, those people are usually just gate keepers. When you call, ask who you will be reporting to (who your boss will be). Concentrate on him (or her).

Also, make sure you have your 5-10 minutes really planned out to sell yourself. In your case, I would wager a bet that the best use of your time will be going over the stuff you have already done. Having an organized, concise presentation WILL lead to success. Good luck Coom.

[turboinduction]

Great tips TI.  Sometime when I am going home to MN I am going to stop by your store and see if we can do some business.

Coomer, my recommendation is to skip the personnel director.  Unless he is the direct person that will make the hiring decision, those people are usually just gate keepers.  When you call, ask who you will be reporting to (who your boss will be).  Concentrate on him (or her).

Also, make sure you have your 5-10 minutes really planned out to sell yourself.  In your case, I would wager a bet that the best use of your time will be going over the stuff you have already done.  Having an organized, concise presentation WILL lead to success.  Good luck Coom.
[right][snapback]250042[/snapback][/right]

thanks jay. Well I work in Steven's Point and live in Marshfield. Feel free to visit either. And for anyone getting a new job, Jay hit the nail on the head. Always talk to the person in charge of the hiring. Anyone else is a huge waste of time. This is why its nice to probe with a call so you know exactly who to talk to. Good luck to Chris and anyone who is in the same situation.

-Ti

[Digndoug]

roll up with a grease on your face and with a pack of fags roled in your shirt sleeve, and nod your head and say "sup" . It works everytime, Also having a lil tear on your shirt along with some more greese, shows that you mean bussiness. Avoid shaking hands, and interupt him when speaking. then ask him what kinda of car he drives then say its a pos. They'll love you on the spot. In the middle of the interview get up and say you need to go pick up your doll and walk out, and say you'lll hit him back later. I think this is a sure way to get the job.

[Jeremy1210]

roll up with a grease on your face and with a pack of fags roled in your shirt sleeve, and nod your head and say "sup" . It works everytime, Also having a lil tear on your shirt along with some more greese, shows that you mean bussiness. Avoid shaking hands, and interupt him when speaking. then ask him what kinda of car he drives then say its a pos. They'll love you on the spot. In the middle of the interview get up and say you need to go pick up your doll and walk out, and say you'lll hit him back later. I think this is a sure way to get the job.

Woked every time for me

Seriously thouhgt. Be conifdent.You will be nervous, but speak clearly and with some authoriy, but don't sound cock. Htere is a fine line b/w being cocky and confident and you want to be confident.

Bring atleast 2 copies of a resume and pages and pictures of what you have done.

THe letter is a great Idea. No one does it and it really does distinguish you from everyone else.

[Digndoug]

Walk in there like you own the place, be a hard ass. it works everytime. I do it every where I go. Not like a cocky guy thatis all prissyed up an ****. Just walk in there with a stright face and be firm like you know what you want and your going to get it.

[jgreening]

Walk in there like you own the place, be a hard ass. [right][snapback]250154[/snapback][/right]

I thought your first post was a bad joke. Now I see you believe this type of attitude would be successful. Depending on who is behind the desk, that kind of attitude can get you kicked out on your a$$ faster than anything. I agree with the above comments that there is a difference between exhibiting a calm, energetic confidence and being "a hard ass" as you have recommended.

[Coomer]

thx for the comments...i went and it went ok,but i only talked to a receptionist & she said to just call the person monday.

sorry for the typing...i messed myself up bad today on my bike and can only use a couple fingers on 1 hand.

[creis]

Good Luck.

always keep a tap on what you say about yourself, you dont wana come off to strong, or appear to be bragging, just keep it cool and dont over anser there questions, its always good to come up with some really good questions about the company, on the first real interview, no mention of money benafits etc. a good example would be.

Do you feel that the majoritly of the staff here at "company name" are satisfied with there jobs?

obviously there gana say yes, but it lets them know that your seeking a good job rather then just a job, and could even hint that your looking for the job best sueted for you, and upper management is always thinking about job placement, and finding people best fit for the job (your both looking for the same thing with is a great thing to have in common)

if they have a current website, prepare some examples (be prepared) or upgrades to it, or ideas that could put you above the others, bring both print outs of the site (printer friendly no cutoff/split pages) and a disk for them to keep, its basicly a offering of your skill and allowes them to get a much better review of your abilities, witch means that they spend more time on your reivew then others, witch keeps your name in there head longer. and dont fancy it up to much, make it all look nice, down to the disk/cd lable and case but dont go overboard. ( I recomend a clear case if you got a cd, however I would recommend a floppy, because when it comes to web hosting, size is a huge factor, if you can make everything fit on a floppy, there gana notice (if they know anything about web hosting) plus make it easy for them to look at, there not gana wast 10 sec tring to find what they wana see, heck if you can make an autoplay, and have it show everything on its own then your far better off, plus you dont wana let them poke around your script, they might find little insegnificant erros (every one makes errors) that can make you look bad.

Hope that helps, and good luck again.

~ creis (king of the 60 sec/hire on the spot interview)