Solution for Post Interview Crickets
Tranquility or Anxiety?
On a quiet summer night, the simple sound of chirping crickets can create a tranquil feeling. That same kind of silence from a hiring manager for more than a week after you’ve had a productive interview for a job you really want invokes much different emotions.
- Frustration
- Anxiety
- Self Doubt
But, You Aced It!
At the time of the interview, you felt that things went really well. You had all the right answers. You proved you are qualified. There was great rapport.
You never imagined the prolonged cricket experience that followed.
Reducing Cricket Anxiety
The sad truth is that this is an all too frequent experience for job candidates. The reasons for failed follow-up vary from cowardice to forgetfulness to indecision. You know the importance of staying optimistic. But when common courtesy is ignored by prospective employers, it’s more challenging to believe that your glass is half full. Now you’re left anxiously wondering:
What do I do next? When do I follow-up? What do I say? Will I seem desperate and harm my chances?
Liberating Interview Question
Here is my two-step method to avoid Cricket Anxiety before it occurs.
- Realize before the interview that the communication process will likely get stalled. Stop thinking that it could never happen to you. It can and likely will, at some point.
- Secure a verbal agreement with the interviewer by asking some form of this question at the conclusion of your discussion:
How long should wait without hearing from you before I circle back?
…and upon gaining that answer you could ask their preferred media (phone or email).
The Power of the Word; “AGREE”
That simple verbal contract grants you permission to be professionally persistent. You’re not being a pest. You are honoring your agreement and expect the other person to respond in kind. When you do “circle back”, you should preface your remarks with: “As you and I agreed when we spoke…”
Decent people do take pride in honoring their agreements. When have a stated agreement, you improve your chances for success. And those crickets will be less stressful.
More Interview Follow-Up Insight:
I recommend Suzanne Lucas’ CBS News article: What’s the line between networking and stalking?
