Try to remember that last interview you went on. Go to the last moments before it ended. That spot where the hiring authority says to you "Do you have any questions for me?” That spot is the area I want to talk about. That little question is your doorway to allot of information (and we all know the worst question to have is no question at all). Its that exact moment where I coach every candidate I have to ask for the next step. For some reason though, I've seen allot of people think that they don't have a right to ask for the next step, or they think since they are interviewing the hiring authority must assume they want the job. I disagree.
If you are in the final running against several other candidates for a position, it's reasonable to believe that every person who has got to that stage in the interviewing process is technically qualified. SO, if all things are equal, what’s the tiebreaker for the hiring authority? Why do they pick 1 candidate of equal skill set above the others? 9 times out of 10 in that scenario, they will pick whom they like and whom they remember. When you ask for the next step it immediately puts you into that category.
Think about it like this: In 1 weekend you go out on 3 dates. All brunette, all smart, all the same type. ALL THINGS ARE EQUAL! At the end of the date 2 of the 3 say to you "Thank you, talk to you soon." ( ….talk about a cliff hanger! A- you don't know when "soon" is, and B- you're not too clear if they are just being polite or really do want to see you again. ) Now at the end of the date with the 3rd brunette, they look at you and say, "I really had a blast! When can we do this again?" (This speaks for its self. It’s clear what their intention is, and you aren’t left to try and figure out what’s going on in their head. ) So, Of the 3 dates, who is the person you are most likely comfortable enough with to ask out on a 2nd date? Think about it.
I love good examples, so, here's a real life one: I had 3 candidates up against 1 job. All 3 were pretty good. 2 of them were more senior level and 1 was mid level. All 3 interviewed well, but of the three only 1 asked for the next step. (The mid level candidate) The next day, he was the one offered the job at the same pay scale as the senior candidates. When the hiring authority was asked why he picked this candidate above the other 2 he said, " He was the only one who told me he wanted this position.”
Candidates, at the end of your interview, if you really aren’t that impressed with a company after a “ 1st date”, then no harm, no foul. You can simply walk out at the end, and keep looking. No 2nd date required. You do have that right. HOWEVER, if you want the job, then let them know you want it. Don’t assume they know your intention. Say the words.
Power to the people!!
