OT - Career Advice Please - After the Interview...

I interviewed for a new job today that me and my family really need. The interview went great and the interviewer dropped some very encouraging hints. For example, I asked him if he had a time frame in mind for making a hiring decision and he didn't commit to anything but said "let me put it this way you're the only one I've asked to take the (in-depth technical skills evaluation) test." I was actually laughing while I was taking the test. Have you ever studied for a mid-term or final, gotten in there and just knew every answer? Yeah, it was kind of like that...

So I'm very encouraged because it has been a long drought for me and this actually seems like a very good company to work for with a level of professionalism that I have rarely seen in my industry (landscape construction and maintenance).

Now I need to close the deal, the interview went well, I'm sure the test went well, and now I want to do everything in my power to turn this into offer - without coming on too strong. I'm planning on sending a thank you letter that highlights some of the skills I have that we didn't get around to discussing and how they would apply there. Any other unique or creative tips???

On a side-note, but on the topic of WLS - I didn't bring up anything about my WLS because I didn't want to create a potential HR discrimination issue for them, but I really wish I could have explained how much more productivity I am capable of NOW that I'm not 300 pounds. I wanted so badly to tell him how much harder I used to have to work physically just to keep up with the rest of the guys and ask him to imagine how much better I can do know, but of course I didn't go there...do any of you guys have any thoughts on that?

From one job-hunter to another - I was looking since April and had SEVERAl interviews.  I finally got hired a couple weeks ago, and start on 8/4.  I found this website by googling "college grad interview" that had TONS of great info for EVERY stage of the process.  It's geared towards those leaving college but the info is still pertinent.  Definitely send a thank you email/letter/phone call AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.  You can certainly slip in a little more info that you might now have had a chance to go over in your interview.  And as for WLS, it is a gamble and your choice.  However, if you were asked about a recent achievement, you could say you recently lost x amount of weight and you have become x amount more productive.

Best wishes for a positive outcome and I hope you get the offer! 

Well I'm definetely not bringing it up during the pre-employment stage for the reason I mentioned in. But if, err, when,I get hired you know I won't be able to keep quiet for too long!

It sounds like you don't have anything to worry about getting hired, based on what you said about the test and the interview.  I think the Thank You note is an excellent touch, and if you don't hear anything for a week a phone call is what I would do next, but hopefully it won't come to that.  good luck! 

PS.  About the WLS, I would save it for post-hiring time.  WLS is definately something to be proud of and of course your improved enegy level is an asset, but people can be...well you know...and there is no reason to risk it. 

Wow! I really hope you get it! I am working at a job where I was praying everyday all day for. I guess regarding the weigh loss question, I'd say unless they ask don't discuss. Not because it's something to be ashamed of but because you don't know who's sitting on the other side of the table. I was shocked when I began to tell people about my having the surgery and the responses I got. A lot of people looked at me like I was LAZY! How ridiclious is that?

I would however discuss your physical strength to your future employer when asked. I'd include how much I work out if I felt like it add some cool points for me. I think things sound great so far and I really hope you get it :)

Hey there! Ok, so this is actually my line of work, this is what I do... help people find jobs. A thank-you letter is an ABSOLUTE must! You can't imagine how many people DO NOT send one. It truly sets one candidate apart from the others. In your letter, touch on what you talked about during the interview, remind him of the skills that you mentioned during, and the skills you didn't have time to. Don't go overboard (flowers, candy, etc.- TRUST ME, people DO THIS), but a Thank-You letter is not only respectful, but it shows true professionalism. Make sure to put it on resume paper and don't forget to actually SIGN your letter (not a computer generated signature). Also, make sure to put the number that you are most likely to be reached at on it. Either hand delivered or mailed is fine, but if you are hoping for him to make a decision sooner rather than later, I would hand deliver it to his office. Just my advice! Good luck!!!

I will say I am an impatient person--just to make that clear right off tha bat. I have never sent a handwritten thank you letter. Ever. After an interview, I go home and send a follow-up thank you email that same evening. Not once, but twice it has happened that they responded to my email the very next day with their own indicating they would be sending me an offer.

My career has progressed nicely--graduated college in December 2003, already had a job lined up before graduation to start in January 2004 as Marketing Assistant; moved and got new job as Technical Editor and Writer in October 2004; got new job as Proposal Writer in March 2006; got new job as Proposal Coordinator in July 2006; got new job as Proposal Manager in March 2008. So, in 4 years, I've climbed from assistant to manager, taken a major pay increase with each new position (always at a new company), and I now make nearly 3 times as much as I made at my first job just 4 years ago.

All of that said, I think how you proceed depends on the area in which you live, the type of position it is, and the feel you got from any interviewers.