Four not very long years ago, I wrote the post An Open Letter to College Bound Daughters, including My Own, for my step daughter and the thousands of girls like her heading to college. She, they, my current and former students, and many others are now graduating and beginning their journey forward into the workforce. As such, I offer each of you my experience, wishes and hard won wisdom about applying, interviewing and selecting your next job.
- Apply to Anything that Seems Interesting
I read a Harvard Business Review article a few months ago that said men apply to jobs for which they’re 60% qualified, yet women only apply to job for which they’re 100% qualified. If it seems interesting, you meet most of the requirements, you think you could do it AND you want to do it, or at least learn more about it, apply. You’ll rarely get an interview for a job to which you didn’t apply.
When I graduated, you had to have nice paper, matching envelopes and stamps – it took work to apply for a job. Now you just click a button. It is, literally, free. Do it!
One caveat: if it lists a license requirement that you don’t have, don’t bother. If they say they need a license, they probably do.
- Write a Cover Letter
Always write a cover letter. If possible, try to figure out the name of the manager to whom to send it. If not, you can get away with To Whom It May Concern. (Do not send it to Dear Sir. I know they don’t teach that anymore, but in case we have any older graduates, I wanted to include it.) You can send it to Sir or Ma’am, but I wouldn’t.
In your cover letter, tell them to which job you’re applying and why. Summarize your qualifications. Tell them how you meet their requirements and can address their needs. In other words, tie your experience to the job posting.
Include your name and phone number. You never want someone to have to work to figure out what you want or find your contact info. Make it easy. Tell them. At the end, thank them for considering you.
- Have an Appropriate Voicemail Message and Email Address; Check your Social Media Names and Posts
Have a professional voicemail message, and a reasonable email address. I realize that voicemail is passé for your generation and many of you don’t use it, but until you find a job, use it. No one is going to keep calling. They’re going to assume you’re not interested and move on. Record a professional voicemail message and then listen when you get a message. When you do, respond within 24 hours.
I had Youth Gone Wild by Skid Row on my answering machine (yes, not even voicemail, yet) when I got the message inviting me to interview for my first job out of college. My article Names Withheld to Protect the Guilty is about that executive director; clearly, she wasn’t the best and I did turn out alright, but please, make a better first impression.
Also check your Instagram, Twitter and other social media names and feeds. If you don’t want to be judged by what’s out there, take it down. As many celebrities and politicians have learned before you, taking it down does not erase it. Your best bet is avoiding putting anything on social media you don’t want to have to explain to a potential boss, or your mother.
- Before the Interview
Do your research. Remind yourself of the job to which you applied. Learn all you can about the interviewer, the position and the agency. Find a way to work into the interview what you’ve learned.
- Be Present at the Interview
Put your phone on silent, or explain why it is not. Bring a notebook to take notes, another copy of your resume and a pen.
Ask questions. You have to have questions! If you don’t, the interviewer will assume you’re not interested. Those questions should be specific questions about the position and the expectations. Some examples:
- What are your expectations of the first 90 days?
- By what metrics will you be evaluating the position?
- What are the goals for the agency? How do the goals for this position roll up under those goals?
- What’s your management style?
- What’s the culture of the office?
- What are the organization’s values? Is there a story that demonstrates one value? (Fair game, they may ask you about your own values, too.)
- After one year, what could have I have accomplished that would make you thrilled?
- (If you’re in the nonprofit sector, it is fair game to ask) How is this position is funded, and for how long?
- Ask any other relevant question you have.
- Things Not to Ask, Say or Do
Do not answer the question of why you want this job with an answer of why you need to live in the city the job is located or why you need a job in general. The answer needs to be about why you want this job.
Do not ask about anything you should have been able to find, or about the programs in general.
Do not ask about vacation, salary or benefits. The time for those questions is at the second interview, or if it hasn’t been addressed, when you’re offered the job. Is that reasonable? Not especially. Is it factual? Yes.
Also, and I’m embarrassed to tell you this because it’s irrational – especially in the nonprofit field but likely in many other fields as well – you will be applying for jobs for which the salary is not listed. You, literally, will not know what the job pays until the second interview or unless the interviewer deigns to share that interview. As I said above it’s considered poor form to ask about it until the second interview. It’s stupid but again, it’s real.
Do not assume that just because you’re not sitting down across a desk the interview is not happening. While you are walking down the hall, if you get invited to lunch, if someone takes you on a tour…. no matter what is happening, the interview is ON! Every one of those people will be reporting back on their impressions of you. It’s not a one-way street, you too should be paying attention to them. Do they seem happy? Do they trash the boss when they’re out of sight? Do they live the values they purport to hold? Do they seem disgruntled or disengaged? Do you want to work with these people?
- Remember the Goal
The point of a phone interview is to be invited to an in person interview. The point of that is to be invited for the final interview. The point of that is to be offered the job.
They want to like you! Let them.
- Trust your Intuitions and Be Clear about Your Intentions
Never go against an uncertain conscience. If you have a bad feeling; a creepy vibe, if the interviewer looks you up and down when you first meet; if you feel something is unethical, inappropriate or just wrong, trust it. You don’t have to be able to articulate it for it to be real. Pass.
Don’t continue to go on interviews if you’re not interested in the job. If you don’t want to move forward, remove your name from consideration. The first interview is fair game to learn more. Other interviews are less so.
- Listen to My Mother, and Likely Yours, too
My mother always said this about interviews: “Stand up straight. Firm hand shake. Look them in the eye.”
You’d be amazed how many people do none of the above.
- References
Do not use family for references. The first reference question is usually how do you know the applicant. The answer cannot be, “she’s my niece.” Aunts, mothers, fathers, etc., are not unbiased and your relationship with them is not professional. When they say references, they mean professional references unless they specifically ask for personal references. If they do, go with a neighbor.
- Write a Thank You Note After the Interview
Whether you go with a hand written card or a typed letter is up to you but always write a thank you note, within 24 hours. You can get away with an email for a phone interview. Say thank you. If you are interested in moving forward, tell them why. Remind them of why you’re qualified. Thank them for their consideration.
- You are Worthy
It’s so easy when you go on job interviews to only think about if they like you. You have to like them, too. It is not a one-way street. They are not doing you a favor. They are looking for the best person to fill the role they have and you are looking for the best place to land. Your needs matter, too. Don’t ignore them.
- Consider if You Actually Want the Job, then Negotiate
I offer this whether you’re on your first, fifth or tenth job, especially when those jobs come to you: Once you’re done being flattered, you have to actually want to do the job.
If you do, when you receive the job offer, you can ask for a higher salary and possibly additional benefits than they’ve offered. Do so in a friendly and respectful manner. You can also ask for a day or two to think about it. If you do, confirm when you’ll be back in touch with your answer.
Men often negotiate and women often don’t. This compounds over time. Other than executive jobs, you can’t usually negotiate for additional benefits, though sometimes you can. You can usually negotiate for additional money. Do.
- No Decision is your last Decision
If you take a job and you hate it, find a new job. Life’s too short. If you can stick it out for a year or two, do. If you can’t, get out. Find a new job first if possible. If isn’t a good fit, learn the lessons and move on. No decision is your last decision.
- Be Excited and Afraid
That’s how you should feel about a new job. When I started teaching at OSU, I was so excited I couldn’t sleep through the night- for months! If you are not excited and afraid, be worried. The other side applies too – if you’re exhausted just hearing about the job, that’s important information too. Jobs that make you tired before you’ve even been offered them should be avoided.
In summary, go get the job you want! Trust your instincts. Listen to your feelings. Be excited! Be great! Change the World!
What advice would you offer to new graduates? Do you have any interviewing stories to share? As always, I welcome your insight, feedback and experience. Please offer your ideas or suggestions for posts and consider hitting the follow button to enter your email. A rising tide raises all boats.
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