Editor’s note: Each week, we receive questions from our community, and the questions have begun repeating. So, instead of responding with the same answer every time, we’ll be answering common questions in article format. If you have a question let us know. Enjoy!
Shelly’s Dilemmas
Let’s call our community member Shelly. Recently, Shelly reached out to us to get our feedback on a situation she was involved in. To serve her best, we’ve reached out to a panel of recruiters and career professionals to lend us their view on how they might handle her situation more properly.
Shelly arrived substantially early for a job interview. So early, in fact, that she beat the prospective company’s employees there. During her wait, an employee of the neighboring company—let’s call him Josh—invited her in to wait in his company’s lobby.
As it turned out, Josh’s company was hiring for the same position Shelly was supposed to be interviewing for across the hall. Per the course of conversation, John learned of Shelly’s skills and experiences and invited her back to discuss opportunities available within his company, following the conclusion of her initial interview.
Shelly’s interview ended but as luck would have it, the hiring manager walked Shelly out of the building to say goodbye. Feeling as though she may find herself in an awkward situation, she didn’t return to speak with Josh’s company. Only after she left did she realize she had departed without any of Josh’s contact information.
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Now, depending on who you are and what you feel comfortable with, you may have approached the situation differently. Our friends have kindly suggested their words of wisdom that not only apply to Shelly’s situation but to common career situations.
Situation #1: More than one company is interested in you
No two companies are alike, so follow up with both. Just because they are hiring for the same position does not mean the jobs, work environment or corporate culture are the same. – Arron Daniels, Senior Sourcing Analyst
Arron makes a great point here. Shelly should have definitely followed up, for she doesn’t know what the position would entail and Josh’s company. While it may be similar, she won’t be certain until speaking with him again.
Situation #2: You don’t have an opportunity to say goodbye
Shelly should have followed up with the second company to set up a formal interview. If she felt awkward about going back into the building, since she just interviewed across the hall, she could have asked to meet at a coffee shop nearby. – Mark Babbitt, CEO of YouTern
The important factor here is finding away around the potential awkwardness of bumping into the 1st hiring manager after her interview. The “type” of sit-down is irrelevant. The key thing is getting more face-time.
Situation #3: You don’t get the other person’s business card
Following Up is the key thing that most candidates forget to do post interview. If for whatever reason you find that you left without the person’s information, look them up online! Taking initiative is key. You have to be aggressive to get what you want, if not you could miss out on tons of great opportunities. – Ariel Lopez, Executive Recruiter
Aggressiveness is key. Shelly should have taken the initiative to look up the company on line. A quick Google search would have turned up some basic contact information. By not taking the initiative, she’s leaving it up to chance, hoping Josh contacts her on his own time.
Have you ever been in a situation like Shelly’s? Maybe you have a question for a recruiter. Let us know!
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