Keppie Careers

Social media speaker, social media consultant, job search coach

Quoted in ABCnews.com and Forbes.com

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megaphone2590025080_d5ce7bf163_mIt’s always a lot of fun to speak to serve as an expert source for reporters. I find it inspiring as a coach to talk to someone who writes for the mainstream media; it’s an opportunity to share good advice with a new audience. This week, I was honored to be interviewed for two great outlets: Forbes.com and ABCnews.com. Here are links to the articles:

ABC News.com – Furloughs: The Vacation You Never Wanted
Michelle Goodman reports on what some careerists are doing with their unpaid, unexpected “time off.” My advice – keep an eye on the future and use some of your time to plan for your career!

Forbes.com – Twitter to Find a Job
Tara Weiss reports about one of my favorite subjects! Twitter is a terrific tool for job seekers. Tara gives a good overview of how to get started using Twitter.

Want job search advice specific to your situation? Contact me!

photo by djfoobarmatt

Seal the Deal With A Postage Stamp – Interview Thank Yous

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Photo by Brian Mitchell

Forbes.com recently wrote
about how important it is
to follow up an interview
with a thank you note.

“Thank-you letters are a marketing tool just like your résumé,” says Wendy Enelow, author of The $100,000+ Job Interview: How to Nail the Interview and Get the Offer. “You’re writing the thank-you to further your candidacy.”

What NOT to Say

Forbes.com cautions, “Never say something like, ‘I don’t know if I made that point clear. Here’s what I meant…’ Instead, state your points without hesitation…Also, instead of saying, ‘I think I’d be perfect for the job,’ write, “I really appreciated meeting you and the time you spent with me. I’m really excited about the position.”

Snail or Email?  Hand Written or Typed?

The article discusses the all important topic: email or snail mail?  If it’s a snail, should it be hand written or typed?

I like to tell my clients that a snail mail note, sent immediately after the interview, is key.  It’s okay to send a well thought out email, but following up with a hand delivered or snail mailed (as in, with an actual stamp) note helps make it more likely that your note (or notes, if there were multiple interviewers) will actually be seen and possibly added to your file.

I’m also a big fan of a typed note.  I think that it is possible in a typed note to ensure that what you write is actually reviewed.  The note is a great opportunity for you to indicate your strong interest in the job and to review issues from the interview.

The article quotes Cynthia Shapiro, a former recruiter and author of What Does Somebody Have to Do to Get a Job Around Here?, as advocating for a hand-written note:  “People get 500 emails a day. Writing an old-fashioned note is so rare today and will stand out.”  So, if you are a big fan of hand-written correspondence, be sure to write the same type of in-depth letter that you might write if you typed it.  Writing a quick, “Thank you for interviewing me” on a note card probably isn’t going to win you many points.

Summary

So, thank the interviewer (with a separate and personalized note to each), re-emphasize where your skills intersect with their needs and how you can solve their problems.  Remind them why you are best for the job and re-express your strong interest.  Proof and double-proof your note for typos or errors and recognize that by sending a note, you are helping yourself stand above the rest of the candidates who are too busy to follow through!

Need help with your job search correspondence?  Keppie Careers will write cover letters and thank you notes.  Contact us:  [email protected]