Interview Thank-You Letters

Writing a thank-you letter after an interview is always a good idea. Some employers think less of interviewees who fail to follow-up promptly. It's easy to follow up after an interview with an email, note, or formal letter. Taking the time to do so will help leave your interviewer with a good impression.

Thank-you letters allow you to sell yourself as a candidate. You can reference specific questions that may have come up in an interview. Use your thank-you letter to highlight the ways your skills and experience are a good match for the position.

Review over 30 sample thank you letters here.

Your Performance WILL be Evaluated

Once on the job you have to do a lot more than just show up. It would be good to have the rules for evaluation known in advance. Pay attention to the supervisors expectations, especially to any written specifications in the employee 'Welcome' package. Ultimately there will be review of YOU.

In addition to anything written, keep a few points in mind in an ongoing self evaluation. In a survey of entrepreneurs the most important points to consider when evaluating a team member have been identified.

In addition to 'showing up' see 10 key evaluation points here.

Negotiating For What You Want

You have been through a successful job hunt and you received an offer. It is not perfect, and most job seekers feel uneasy with rocking the boat by negotiating. You may be afraid to bring up the salary, flexibility or benefits, but now is the time.

Finding the courage to negotiate for what you want is key to happiness on the job. Your next chance will be on your first review, probably 6 months out. Think positive and find honest justifications. Acknowledge the generosity of the original offer before making your request.

Find six negotiating points to consider here

Self Promotion at Work

Promoting yourself at work is a necessary part of your career, you're not doing yourself any favors by keeping quiet. If the idea of self-promotion makes you cringe, you need to change your perception entirely.

You can keep your head down, work hard, and keep the faith that your accomplishments will get noticed. Or, you can be proactive in getting the credit you deserve. You don't need to be a braggard, a blowhard, to get recognition of your accomplishments. Your supervisor. especially, needs to be aware of your success.

See 7 points to consider for your self promotion here.

Work Effectively From Home

Telecommute has increased dramatically in the last few years. For employers, working from home can boost productivity, reduce turnover, and lower organizational costs, while employees enjoy perks like flexibility and the lack of a commute's time and transportation cost.

To work effectively from home, you’ll need to make sure you have the required technology:  a separate workspace, internet service that meets the job's needs, a workable schedule you can stick to, and ways to connect with others.

See a guide to key considerations for going 'remote' here

Sources of Potential Employers

You cannot afford to overlook any source. Gather information and develop contacts within both small and large companies. Note that 50% of new job opportunities come from companies with fewer than 100 employees. Starting out, internships, part-time jobs, and volunteer positions - often lead to future job placements

A position, whether paid or voluntary, can allow for “hands-on” experience in your field. The people around you can be a great source of information and advice. The best way to locate a hidden job is through networking - the referral of a friend or business acquaintance

Find a significant list of less common sources here.

Be Aware of Company Culture

While your experience and qualifications are being assessed by a hiring manager, likewise you need to take the time to make your own assessments of the company. This could occur as part of your search effort or in an offer to interview.

Make the most of any opportunity to ‘get to know’ the company culture, its 'personality'. The character of the environment (formal / relaxed) (competitive / contentious) (strict / permissive) needs to fit with your expectations and your personality.

See additional hints here.