Tuesday, April 12, 2011

How to appear in an interview - VI


Time to reflect


Next, take some time to sit back and assess what you've learned. Are their any gaps? Have you put together a pretty clear picture, or do you still have questions? There may be a lot of general information, but if the specifics about "your" job or department are still missing, it's time for a final step.

Step out of the shadows



Up until now, your campaign tactics have kept you anonymous. Now, however, it's time for direct contact. Send a letter to one or two department heads or vice-presidents in the field you're interested in. Without mentioning any specific openings, say that you're interested in the company and would like an appointment to talk about what's happening in his area.
This kind of meeting is usually easy to arrange. It can lead directly to a job offer, or an invitation to future interviews; however, that's not your primary goal. Here's your opportunity to fill those gaps in your working knowledge of the company.

Without being too direct, try to steer your conversation into your areas of interest. Most people love to talk about their work and their involvement in office politics; be a sympathetic listener. You know enough about the organization by now to ask the right questions; use all that information to find out what you want to know. You can also use this meeting to get to talk to other company employees; ask for introductions if none are offered. The more people you've met, the better off you are.

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