| Dear Steve and Jon, I have heard that there are advantages with being the first candidate to interview for a position, and also advantages being the last. What are the pros and cons for each? Signed: Last shall be first |
Dear First, If the company is considering only two or three candidates, the interviewing sequence probably will not be crucial. However, if you are attending a job fair or some other large scale interviewing event, recruiters need help in remembering the applicants - in fact, I have had several recruiters tell me that they depend on the better candidates to make themselves stand out from the crowd. Remake contact with the interviewer with a thank you note and a phone call. Make reference to a topic you discussed, a notable accomplishment you have on your resume, or some other factor that will jog the recruiter's memory. |
Dear Last, The only time being first to interview is an advantage is if they hire you without a need to see any other candidates, and then I guess that makes you last. Otherwise, by being first, you have competition with which to be confused and your outstanding qualifications are subject to being forgotten. You will need to keep yourself top-of-mind for the decision maker. Leave copies of outstanding performance reviews, lists of impressive cost savings or examples of significant projects completed. Send the interviewer supplemental data on a subject for which they expressed interest. Send thank you notes and follow up with an appropriately timed phone call. |