The Physician Assistant Interview - Thank You and Follow-up

Many people forget the post-interview work that needs to be done during the PA job search. For PA job seekers, thank you and follow-up communications are not optional; they are requiredThey assume the interview happens, they either get the job or don't get it, and it's over. But in many cases, the interview is not the end and specific and strategic follow-up can make the difference in getting hired. This article covers the post-interview actions we need to consider to maximize our chances of getting a job offer. The deplorable state of follow-up The weakest part of the job search process is often follow-up.Its so much more than thank you notes, but those aren't even being sent. For PA job seekers, thank you and follow-up communications are not optional; they are required. Here are the benefits of great follow-up, all of which can put you ahead of another candidate: 1. Shows persistence. 2. Allows you to expand, reinforce, or clarify something discussed in the interview. 3. Good manners are always valued. 4. Prevents them from forgetting about you. 5. Reinforces that you want the job. Here are the downsides of NOT following up: A portion of hiring managers will dismiss an applicant who does not send a post-interview thank you note, saying it indicates poor follow-through and a lack of interest in the position. Other candidates will follow up, so you lost an opportunity to compete for that job. If you were smart, your follow-up began in the interview when you asked, What is the next step? or, When do you plan to make a decision? With that knowledge, you can time your follow-up post-interview. The PA Job Applicant Follow Up Solution What a world-class follow-up looks like You send a note within 24-48 hours while its still fresh in your mindand the companys. You addressa note to each individual person you met with You Spell everyones name correctly, including the companys Sample PA job search flow of a thank you note Start by thanking them for the opportunity to meet and acknowledge that they took time out of their day to do so. Next, note why you think youd be a good fit for the role. No more than 3 reasons. Bullet points are optimal as well. This is an opportunity to elaborate on why you are a great fit, in writing, beyond your initial cover letter and interview. In close, hit 3 points: Express your interest Commit to following up with them again within a specified time-frame Thank them, again, for their time and consideration Sample ideas of follow-up after the thank you note: Begin with a pleasantry, followed by a sentence explaining where you left off during your last communication. You had indicated to me that youd be making your final decision during the week of date , and I just wanted to follow up to see where you are in that decision. Include something of value in your follow-up instead of being perceived as nagging. Perhaps you just completed some training, closed a big deal, or finished a major project. If you are volunteering or taking outside courses while unemployed, talk about that. Close with the next follow-up you will initiate. Dont ask them to call you back. Instead, let them know that Ill follow up again within a few days, but in case you need to reach me, here is the best contact number: xxx-xxx-xxxx. Follow up letter tricks Always appear gracious, positive, patient, and interested. Speak in a very respectful manner if youre leaving a voicemail message, acknowledging that I know you are very busy, but I wanted to follow up on the email I sent you and that Im still very interested in the position. When following up with an email, always attach the prior email you are referring to. If there was an attachment to the prior email, reattach it, as appropriate. Match the communication medium the interviewer has been using, i.e. returning emails with emails, phone calls with phone calls. Follow up letter mistakes Mistake #1:Scathing follow up emails from job seekers who think theyre out of the running. Mistake #2:Rudeness or impatience. If the hiring manager gave you a specific date or timeframe, give them some room. Hiring processes take time and you dont want to seem overly anxious. Mistake #3:One-line emails: Can you call me back? Mistake #4:Group thank you notesimplies a little laziness and is not personal. Mistake #5:In a personal thank you note, your copy and paste didnt work so it was addressed Dear Sally and at the end it said Thank you, again, Bob. Mistake #6:Misspellings, grammar, punctuation errors. This is another writing sample for the employer! Mistake #7:Gimmicks. Do not send flowers, a gift, nothing. Mistake #8:Do not have a friend swing by the hiring managers office and ask, How is Bob doing for your position hiring. Isnt he great? Follow up letter excuses Excuse #1:I knocked the interview out of the park, so no need to send anything since Ill get the job. Well, aside from being too confident (cocky), which could have hurt you in the interview, there is no excuse for not being polite. And what if you were good in the interview, but not great, and the next candidate did send a compelling note? Excuse #2:I dont have their email address. Lesson learned. Ask for all email addresses while you are interviewing. However, if you forgot, contact the recruiter, HR manager, or anybody who might be able to give it to you. Simply say, I would like to send them a thank you note, so your intention is clear. Excuse #3:Thank you notes seem so phony. Im not the thank you note type. First, they should be sincere. Sheer appreciation for their time and for considering you as a candidate should be reason enough to take 5 minutes to review your notes from that meeting and craft a thank you note. Second, if you are not the thank you note type, then learn to be one now! Excuse #4:They told me I will not be the final choice for the position, so no need to thank them. Wrong. You want to add your interviewers to your network and you may want to contact them again. In addition, what if that company has another position that opens up? Take the high road and always, always send a thank you note and stay in touch after that. In your thank you note, you may say, If another position opens up within your organization, I am interested in being considered. Homework Assignment Write a template thank you note and follow-up note based on the above guidance and by collecting many samples available online. Save them in your well-organized file. Review your samples with at least one person and get their feedback. Be sure you note every time you need to send a thank you note and place that reminder in your Outlook Calendar or other calendar technology. Sample Physician Assistant Thank You Letters (Download) Five thank you and follow up templates for email or print covering special situations. New graduate, follow-up questions, request for references and more. Includes bonus reference request template and pre-formatted MS Word templates for print. Follow up Thank You and Cover Letter Templates Bundle + Bonuses3.99New Graduate Physician Assistant Resume Template + Practicing PA Resume + PA Cover Letter and Thank You Letter Templates11.99 Add to Cart Checkout Added to cart Theblog post is based on the bookCut the Crap, Get a Job! a New Job Search Process for a New Era.It's the third in this series. View all posts in this seriesMy PA School Interview: The Journey of a LifetimeThe Top 46 Physician Assistant Applicant Interview QuestionsUse this Interview Hack to Get The Physician Assistant Job of Your Dreams!The Physician Assistant Job or PA School Interview Email EtiquetteThe Physician Assistant Interview: Thank You and Follow-up (With Sample)Your Main Goal on Your Path to PA Shouldnt be Immediate Success or Money, But to Learn as Much as PossibleA Look Inside Two PA School Interviews5 Things Ive Learned Going Into My Fourth Physician Assistant Application CycleUse VisualCV to Create a Stunning Physician Assistant Resume300 PA School Interview Questions You Should Be Ready to AnswerPA School Mock Interviews: Prepare With a Live, Recorded Video InterviewThe 10 Best Websites for Physician Assistant Job SearchThe 10 Best Cities For PAs to Move to in 2019Mock Physician Assistant School Interview With Taylor Hill Pre-PAMock PA School Interview With Pre-PA Lily Boyle10 Reasons Why Ph ysician Assistant is the #1 Healthcare Job in 2019The Interview That Got This Pre-PA Into 5 PA Schools101 PA School Applicants Answer: Whats Your Greatest Strength?Mastering Your PA School Interview: Tone Matters You may also like -The Physician Assistant Job or PA School Interview Email Etiquette mail is unequivocally the number one technology you must be brilliant at if you are to succeed throughout the PA school interview or job application process. 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