How do you keep your network positive and professional after an interview?

Alright, here's the deal with those post-interview thank-you notes - they're old school, right? Who even sends handwritten stuff these days, especially in remote-first companies? And who's gonna read it in this wild world of 2023? Forget the note and go for a voice memo or video! Keep it short and sweet, but don't miss the chance to show your passion for the role, the team, and how you'll impact the business if they bring you onboard. Show 'em your tech-savvy side! Take the opportunity to stand out!

This is sound advice and not to be underestimated. I have been advocating this from the day I starting doing this myself when I was job hunting almost 33 years go. To simply put it -- it reaffirms your interest, its courteous and helps when out of sight!

Sending a thank-you note can help you stand out from the rest of the pack. Most candidates don't do this so you're already ahead of the competition. While this won't necessarily be a deal-breaker whether or not you get an offer, at the worst case, it shows your interest in the company. If this role doesn't work out, it can keep the relationship & conversations going to help apply for future roles.

I’m my experience from an agency perspective, it’s often the client doesn’t want this. A thank you to the consultant that put you forward, is super respectful. Even if it’s a yes or no (from you or the client) in the end. If it’s a good partnership with client and agency there will be direct feedback and communication between candidate, clients and consultants. I have been VERY fortunate in my time to work with amazing clients that have provided incredible feedback to help unsuccessful interviewers succeed in the next one. I thank those clients in knowing sometimes you have good and bad days interviewing. If you have interviewed directly then go with your gut!

While a thank you note is not required and candidates without a thank you note who are great are hired, it does help to express your enthusiasm for the job and appreciation for the time the panel has taken. If you do not have the contact information of the panel you may send it to the HR representative/ recruiter you are communicating with.

Keeping a fluid line of communication with the contacts that have helped you in your job search allows you to move past the idea that your interaction is transactional. By keeping them in the loop of what's going on, you show that you value their efforts to help. It also gives an opportunity to you to keep the dialogue going beyond the single intention of your job search. By staying in touch with your contact, you can offer your assistance to them should they need similar support with a professional goal or introduction.

Be sure to communicate with your references before providing their contact information to an employer. I always confirm with my references the content of their reference when giving them more information about the role. It is a good idea to keep in touch with previous supervisors for potential career opportunities but also for reference purposes. Most employers will require a supervisory reference. Mentors can provide you with valuable feedback and advice about the organization, industry and process you can expect and maybe some great tips on salary negotiation. Leverage and engage your network after an interview to make sure they are well positioned to support and advocate for you.

It is always good to talk to the people you list as references. Tell them about the position you have applied for and send them a copy of the the posting. List the points that you want them to talk about in respect to you. Guide the conversation. Ask the hard questions - ex. How would you answer the question about my work ethics or problem solving skills, or my initiative or my ability to function as a team? What would you list as a disadvantage and why? What are my strengths? You have to have this conversation with your references.

If you are going to task someone with writing or speaking as one of your references, you better make sure they know how much you value and appreciate them. Your career could very well be in their hands. If you can't buy them a beer or coffee in person, you can always send them a Starbucks gift card (or something similar). A well-written thank you note or audio/video recording also goes a long way.

I believe there's a fine line between being patient and being left in the dark for too long. Suppose we haven't heard anything after a reasonable amount of time. In that case, it's okay to send a polite and professional follow-up message to express our continued interest and inquire about the next steps. Just a gentle nudge to show our enthusiasm and keep the communication flowing. It's all about finding that balance!

This is why it is so important to ask for the hiring timeline so that you as the candidate have a clear understanding of the anticipated time it will take to hear back. We all know that the timeline can change or be delayed but having a starting point makes follow up easier.

Respect is a two-way street. Treat others as you'd like to be treated. Yes, some recruiters (or bots) will 'ghost' you. Yes, you will get upset and impatient. But here's the thing - it's all just a numbers game. And in our increasingly impersonal digital world, it's easier than ever for companies or recruiters to forget the importance of the candidate experience, and that you are a real person on the other end of an application that deserves respect. With that said, you as a candidate do not have to lower yourself to the level of a busy corporation or worse yet, a poorly configured automated applicant processing bot.

I always make the analogy that the recruitment process is somewhat similar to dating. If someone was following up excessively during the courtship period, did not observe personal boundaries etc, you would most likely not be impressed with their behaviour. You can also ask when you may expect to hear from the employer and whether you may follow up with an email after that period.

While it's essential to remain optimistic and engaged in the job search process, we must also acknowledge that job hunting can be tough, and it's okay to have moments of uncertainty or anxiety. We're human, after all, and these feelings are natural. It's essential to strike a balance between being positive and realistic. Sometimes, despite our best efforts, job opportunities might work differently than planned. And that's alright! It's all part of the journey. Losing hope or confidence occasionally doesn't mean we're giving up altogether. It might serve as an opportunity for introspection and self-improvement. Taking a moment to reassess our goals and skills can lead us to better opportunities that align with our passions and strengths.

Applying for roles is really a numbers game but also a matter of culture and personality fit. Use the interview process to assess the employer you are looking to join. Are your interactions with the employer professional, are they transparent, do they have answers about how they measure performance, are they forthcoming about challenges etc. Before you find the right fit for you, there will be rejection on both the employer and candidate side. You have to remain persistent and not allow your confidence in yourself to diminish. It only takes one dream employer to say yes for you to have a dream job. Until you get there chances are you may have to experience some rejection. You may also try to get feedback from rejection.

Job hunting - like hiring - is a numbers game. It always has been and always will be. The best way to be proactive is to stay objective and practical throughout the process. Create a spreadsheet for tracking all the jobs you've applied to, who your main contact was, when you last spoke with them, and what your next move will be. Turn your job search into a job, with targets and objectives along the way. You'll find this helps to alleviate stress and reduce uncertainty. You'll always have your eyes on the prize, and make progress daily.

I encourage my clients to always be positive in an interview, especially when answering the question why did you leave your previous job. No matter how bad your previous job or employer was; you should focus on what you learned from the experience and how you can be a valuable employee in your next role.

Gossip and negativity can backfire and make you look unprofessional. They can also adversely affect your mental health. Employers will not want to seek an employee who causes a poison work environment. As we all are sometimes reminded, "it is a small world" and word can travel fast about your unprofessional behaviour and impact your reputation.

Short and sweet: block out the noise. When it's all said and done, you'll want to be the person that was able to hold their head up high through a difficult and challenging time. If you find yourself slipping towards the dark side, it's best to close the proverbial laptop and step away for a day or two. The job search will be there when you get back. Perspective is important, and remember that every relationship you have in your network can be a bridge for you if managed properly. Be wise not to burn one in haste!

Remember, relationship-building is a two-way street. Just as you are asking someone for assistance, be sure to express your gratitude and offer your help. Mention you're happy to return the favor with whatever goals they have or make an introduction to someone you know that they're hoping to meet. If you don't know a person who has helped you that well, you could view that as an opportunity to get to know the person better in the future, asking to meet up for a casual coffee or a brief 1:1 'get to know you' meeting as you strengthen your professional network. You can also do other things that show your appreciation, like recommending them for an award, to speak at a conference, or even share a link to an article on a topic they like.

Consider rebranding this as “How-to maintain your professional network before and after an interview”. Networking is an ongoing relationship, requiring ongoing fostering and growth. This means connecting with your network at all stages of your career journey including interviewing for a new job. Remember, networking and relationship building is both a give and take. Consider how you give back to your network that supports you during the interview process. This could be a thank you note or sending a quick update with how everything is going.

When coaching clients through a job search, they are often at a point where they feel like they need a job sooner than later, but they are hesitant to reach out to their network because they have not stayed in touch. However, it is human nature to want to help someone. The more phone calls you make, the easier it gets. The key is to approach them with no expectations to reduce disappointment. The other thing to remember is that others may not feel your urgency, and the response time may be longer than desired. In the meantime, a simple like, comment, and share on LI goes a long way to making your network "feel" connected. And if you are happy at work, it is critical to build connections now - even if you never plan to leave your job. ??