Readers:
Dr. Randall Hansen, a nationally recognized career expert, is the Career Doctor.
Discover more about Dr. Hansen, read about the purpose of this column,
and find previous issues of this column at the home of The Career Doctor.
If you have any college, career, or job-related questions or comments that Dr. Hansen could
provide valuable assistance with, please
feel free to email him at: careerdr@quintcareers.com.
Dr. Hansen writes this column on a biweekly basis.
Mary Ann writes:
I was wondering how one would go about composing a letter to someone
they already met but forgot to give their business card to.
I typed up a letter and simply stated that we met at such and such meeting,
and that I was interested in adding him to my network. I stated that I am a
job skills instructor and that I teach my students to network and I try to follow
my own advice. I included my business card. We work for the same department
and have mailboxes in the same area, but I don’t have his contact information
so I gave him mine and asked him if he would be willing to share his with me.
I just wanted to know if this was the right way of going about this.
A:
The Career Doctor responds:
I think the approach you took was right on the money. Why lose a
potential network contact simply because you did not have a
business card with you one day?
And it’s a great lesson to your students -- and now to my readers.
So, even if you forget to exchange business cards at any kind of
networking or organizational event, it’s never too late to follow-up with
the people you want to add to your network.
Simply do as you did… a short letter or email reminding the person
where you met, asking permission to add the person to your network,
and including your key contact information.
You might follow-up your letter -- after you receive the person’s (hopefully)
positive response -- with more detail or with an offer for coffee.
What if you don’t have business cards? Create your own networking cards.
Almost any print shop offers deals on cards (and you can even print them
from a computer with special paper).
Networking cards are the same size and shape of business cards (3-1/2”
wide and 2” high), contain key contact information like business cards,
but instead of listing a company and job title, a networking card focuses
on your job objective or unique selling proposition. Be sure to include all
your pertinent contact information, including your name, phone number,
email address, postal mail address; and Web site address, cell phone
or fax numbers (if you have them).
Keep your business or networking cards clean and crisp and bring them
EVERYWHERE you go -- to networking events (obviously), career and job
fairs, professional meetings, social gatherings, parties, weddings, and
anywhere else you may run into potential contacts…everywhere.
Elizabeth writes:
Hi Dr. Hansen: My question refers to asking for my old job back. I resigned for
another position. I changed my mind about the other job and I now would like to
go back to my old job. How can I ask for it back? I left in good terms.
A:
The Career Doctor responds:
Ah, the old the grass is always greener on the other side strikes again!
Normally, I would say your chances are slim, mostly because as soon
as an employee resigns, the separation -- by both parties -- begins, and
historically, that separation is pretty permanent.
The key for you is your last line. Assuming you really did leave on good
terms, tearful goodbyes and such, then it is at least worth putting some
feelers about your interest in returning to the company. It might also matter
whether you left to go to a competitor or not.
Keep in mind that there may already be a person in your old position…
and even if there is not, the employer may not feel comfortable just giving
you your old job back.
And while there may be good feelings about you, you are still going to
have to sell yourself all over again -- and not so much on what you can
offer the company (because they know this) but more so that you plan to
stay a while.
So, assuming you kept in touch with people from your old firm, now is the
time to perhaps meet for a meal and float the idea and see the response
you get. If it seems positive, then more aggressively pursue it.
Q:
Anonymous writes:
Just got out of a job interview. If you interview with multiple people
at the same time, is it okay to individually send the same letter to
all members of the panel? Thanks for your help.
A:
The Career Doctor responds:
No, no, no! Just put yourself in their shoes. People in an office share
everything, and any points you gain from sending a thank-you note --
since many job-seekers still have not mastered this task -- will be lost
when folks see you could not spend the time to personalize each letter.
Now, I am not saying that each letter has to be completely original. I
think there can be plenty of overlap -- the paragraph about fit with the
organization can be the same in each letter -- but for any thank-you
letter to be most effective, you need to show you made a connection
with the interviewer.
So, with a thank-you to a panel of interviewers, you need to take note
of something each one said and use that information to personalize
the thank-you letters.
And send those thank-you letters right away. I am dealing with a friend
who was raised in South America and just does not seem to get the
urgency of sending thank-you notes promptly -- nor the nuance that the
thank-you letter is another marketing opportunity… another chance to
sell yourself. The rule of thumb is to send the thank-you letter within
24 hours of the interview.
Annette writes:
I went on an interview today and at the end of the interview the
hiring manager tells me that "I would be too bored in this position."
He totally caught me off guard and I honestly could not respond to
his comment. However, I do want to emphasize to him in a thank
you letter that I would be an asset to his group and organization
and that I am perfectly qualified for this position.
He seemed to be really impressed with my experience and skills
during the whole interview. I don't know where I went wrong. He gave
an impression that his group was not "organized" and he seemed
frustrated that there isn't some sort of policy in place for most of their
work. As I have emphasized all the processes I've implemented for
3 divisions and so on; I would think that he would be highly interested.
Can you give me some advice as to how I can mention in my letter what
he said and how I disagree with him, etc. Can you help me?
A:
The Career Doctor responds:
First, don’t panic too much. We all have been stumped in job interviews
by questions or comments that seem to come from out of nowhere. And
you are absolutely correct that the perfect place to address the issue is
in the interview thank-you letter.
Being too bored sounds very similar to being over-qualified… and it might
have been his hint to you that the position is below you, but it also may
be that you did not do as well a job as you had hoped on selling him on
what you could do for his group.
So, besides the usual information in a thank-you note, you should include
a paragraph that specifically deals with the issue -- in your case the
comment about being bored.
After our interview, I'm convinced that I have all the ingredients you're
looking for in your group manager. I know you expressed some concern
in our meeting that I would be too bored in this position. I want to stress,
however, that I am the perfect candidate for this position -- with the right
mix of skills and experience to make an immediate and lasting impact
on the group and the organization.
