As much as you prepare for an interview, things can go terribly wrong. A question that you never thought of comes up and you can’t answer it. The interviewer digs deeper into why you really left your last job or how did you get along with your boss. Or asks for an example of a skill set but you just can’t seem to come up with anything relevant. Here are some ways to recover:
1. WRITE AN INFLUENCING LETTER - Fight back by following up with a thorough influencing letter (email). It is not enough to write a simple “thank you” note or email. The follow-up email or “influencing letter’ is part of the interview process that reiterates your qualifications and emphasizes your passion for the job.
2. RESPOND TO A POORLY ANSWERED QUESTION – You wish you coulda, woulda, shoulda said it in a different way. Re-think your answer to the question and write it in your follow-up letter. As I mentioned, I worked on this project….
3. ADD INFORMATION YOU LEFT OUT – Is there something you wish you had said? Darn it! There is always the follow-up email to explain another accomplishment or how you worked on a team. Be specific about your accomplishment showing the problem, the action you took, and the result quantified in numbers, percentages or time.
4. OVERCOME OBJECTIONS, PROVIDE A PROPOSAL – Even if the interviewer does not ask for a proposal, write one that shows you know exactly how to implement the service, program or project. For example, write a plan that outlines the steps to develop a master teacher program including focus groups, qualifications, responsibilities, program content and marketing plan.
5. FOLLOW UP – After you send the influencing letter, follow up with a phone call to express your continued interest and to add some more information. Unless they have already made a decision, continue to follow up every few weeks with a relevant article or new information you found online.
Amy Geffen, PhD is currently Director of Professional Development at the Council for Economic Education. She is President and chief coach for Geffen Careers, a career coaching organization.