Career Coach Corner: Between Jobs

Vickie Austin is a business & career coach and recently launched a blog for the Wheaton Patch about people who love their work. Today’s blog answers a question from someone who is in career transition.

Dear Career Coach:

Recently I interviewed for a position and just received a rejection letter.  Although the firm didn’t extend an offer to me, I’m still really interested in working for them.  They don’t publicly post job openings but I know that the person in human resources is the “keeper of résumés.”  Perhaps I’ve waited too long but do you think there’s a tactful way of letting her know I’m still interested in working for their firm?  I was thinking about sending a card to her but I’m unsure if this is “kosher.”  What do you suggest?

Signed,

Between Jobs

Dear “Between Jobs:”

You are very wise to want to keep in touch in spite of not getting the offer. I just spoke to a colleague of mine, an attorney who had hired a paralegal a while ago.  Her candidate didn't work out for a variety of reasons so my friend hired her second choice from the original round of candidates and it sounds like it’s a great fit.  You never know when you're the next choice on someone's list so it's always good to stay in touch.

And no, it isn't too late to write her a note.  I'd recommend you write her a real note (vs. an e-mail) on lovely but conservative business stationery.  I recommend Crane & Co. stationery, available online or at fine stationery stores.  Sending a hand-written note, mailed via the U.S. Postal Service, is still rare and sending a note distinguishes you from the crowd and gives you cachet with the recipient. 

Let the human resources professional know how much you appreciated being considered for the previous opportunity and tell her you are still very interested in working for her firm.  Be sure to tell her why—what is it about the company that interests you? If it's a values fit, let her know that.  If you admire their people and their performance, tell her that, too.  Authentic acknowledgement goes a long way in letting her know why you're still interested in their firm and will help build a relationship with her for the future.

Then let her know you'd welcome the opportunity to be considered for future positions where your skills meet their needs.  You could even ask her for permission to stay in touch.  Since it’s in a note, that’s something of a rhetorical question but it's a nice way of building rapport. Because, let’s face it, you are going to stay in touch!  You then can send her an e-mail every so often giving her your status update and expressing your continued interest, or send her articles about the firm or the industry that may be of interest to her.  Be gently persistent and she will know you mean business.

I think you're brilliant to want to stay in touch with her and it's absolutely “kosher” to send her a written communication... in fact, it's flattering and complimentary to let an employer know you choose them. There’s a great book by Richard K. Irish called Go Hire Yourself an Employer (Anchor Books) which was published many years ago but the title still holds true today.  Employment is a two-way street and you have a say over the employers you choose. 

Good luck and please keep me posted.

If you have a question for the Career Coach, write Vickie Austin at vaustin@choicesworldwide.com and put “Career Coach Corner” in the subject line.  She will answer your questions about your career whether you’re in transition or positioning yourself for future career success.  All questions will be posted anonymously.