Song and book writer from MS now living in Nashville, TN. Marketing and graphic design background. Regular blogger on topics surrounding the subject of job searching.
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Photo by voguemarie2010, flickr Creative Commons
33% of hiring managers surveyed said they can tell in the first 90 seconds of having met you whether they’d hire you! I’ll talk more thoroughly in my book about many aspects of preparing that will help you have the best interview possible, but what a great bite-size read! Sarah Chang’s recent article at themuse.com will cover:
Common nonverbal mistakes to avoid
What factors influence a hiring manager’s first impressions of you
Photo by Maria Elisa Duque
Congratulations! All your hard work, networking, resume’ writing, and everything else you’ve worked so hard for in your position as a marketer of yourself has paid off! But before you simply show up for the first day with your briefcase and Scooby Doo lunchbox in hand, here are some reminders that should ease the transition into your new job.
BEFORE THE FIRST DAY
• If you have certain things you always bring from home (photos, office supplies, notes) box those up and have them ready to bring with you day one.
• If you have kids, plan with your spouse who will do what based on the hours/days of your new position.
• Follow any instructions your new company has given you, and return any forms they’ve asked you to complete.
DURING
• Turn off job postings alerts from sites like indeed, careerbuilder, and beyond.com (and de-activate your resume’) as well as those you have set up with job boards at any professional association sites. Change pref’s to stop or reduce any communiqué coming from LinkedIn.
• Set email filters at job posting groups of which you’re a member to direct those to the Trash.
• Delete all your recurrent events on your calendar.
• Give your new work phone number to your spouse, etc. Get your supervisor’s office and (if it is appropriate) cell phone numbers into your phone.
• Figure out your new budget after receiving your first check.
• Treat yourself! You’ve worked hard for months. Buy something from your Wantlist.
• Find out about how to set up direct deposit. Make sure you understand your vacation time and benefits. Set up things like insurance and employee retirement funds when the time comes. Cancel any independent insurance policies you’re on.
• Meet as many people as you can early on. Not only is this beneficial in case you have questions about something, but it helps build goodwill and fit you into the family and culture of the company. Try to understand the hierarchy as you go.
• Volunteer for some things as you see opportunities arise. I was asked to judge a dessert contest—boy, was someone dead on with that one!
• Alert your headhunters that you have a job and to change your status to Inactive (but not delete you from their system.) Thank them for their help.
AFTER THE 90-DAY MARK
• Email (at least bulk) your networking colleagues to thank them for their help and let them know where you landed and what your title is.
• Facebook or email your friends and family to do the same.
• Clean up your Job folder in your email. You could delete any messages 9 months or older.
• Add the new job to your LinkedIn profile & update your Headline and if relevant, your City and Industry.
• Schedule any doctor or dentist appointments you may have been putting off.
• Update your profile at any professional organizations of which you’re a member.
• Don’t throw all your network out the window. Try to attend at least one networking event a month.
• (From day 1 forward) keep track of your accomplishments
Photo by La Salsa Fresh Mexican Grill
If I sense an impending offer on a job I want, I like to keep the script below in my wallet. Option 1 deals with a situation where you’d like to request a larger salary, negotiate benefits, etc., and this is done much better in person. Or there may be a health, family, or childcare situation that you don’t feel comfortable breezing over on the phone at this point.
1)“That’s great! This is the culmination of my efforts to take the best next step in my career. I’m sure I’m the right person for this position. Could we set up a time to meet, wrap up the details, and discuss a few last questions?”
Then ideally, the hiring manager can schedule a time when you can meet again to address any additional issues or concerns and move forward.
However, you never know when a prospective employer is going to expect a same-conversation acceptance. And if you’ve done the research we discussed earlier and already made up your mind that you want to work there, typically you should be able to make this decision quickly. Sometimes you may lose the top-candidate spot if you ask for too much time. This happened to me once.
On the same call when the hiring manager offered me my first (dream) job at a record label, I asked if I could come in and talk more (about second interview type questions, see if I could nudge the salary up, etc.) Because of this, I almost lost the position. He took this as lack of interest and said, “Sure,” but since I wasn’t accepting outright, that he was going to contact another candidate or two as to their interest. I ended up getting the job, but that was a close call and a big lesson learned. So you’ll need to use your judgment, and ideally be ready to jump on a position if you feel like that door may close quickly. So number 2 below is for that situation.
2)“Great! I accept. This evening I’d like to email you my understanding of everything we’ve discussed, and if you could reply with a Letter Of Hire, then I can look at my calendar (or speak with/give notice to my current employer) and let you know the first date I can begin. And just to let you know ______.” (Since you’ve already been extended the offer and accepted it, this is where you can mention any prior obligations such as your monthly commitment to a professional association, a series of doctor appointments, or a trip you already have set.)
If you’re currently working, you definitely want to go this route, since you don’t want to quit your job before you have something in writing from the new company. Your email should detail title, salary, benefits, travel expectations, and any other important information so you make sure you and the new employer are on the same page. This will also serve as a gentle reminder for the hiring manager to cover these points in your Letter of Hire/Offer Letter. Review this letter closely to make sure it contains everything you understood and are expecting and that nothing important is omitted or looks out of line.
Do you have any job offers you’ve turned down? Why? What do you say when you’re offered a job but not had a chance to discuss salary in person?
If you have family, friends, or colleagues that are on the job hunt, please share this blog with them. Don’t miss the next topic in this series! Sign up for this blog HERE or at the lower left of this page to be alerted via email!
