InterviewFollowupFilter: If I'm not sure it was an interview, should I follow up?
September 22, 2009 3:34 PM Subscribe
InterviewFollowupFilter: If I'm not sure it was an interview, should I follow up?
I got a phone call last weekend from a potential employer who wanted to hire me. I'd not interviewed with this company, but with a different company for a similar position.
The potential new-boss explained that he was just hired, wanted to shake things up, (it's a small company with probably less than 20 employees), liked my resume, and that I was given a glowing review by the other interviewers (also the bosses at a similar small company in the same industry).
Most of the twenty minute phone conversation, he was explaining the job, and why he wanted me. (And why there was an opening-- as it turns out, the guy I'd replace got the job I first interviewed for. Nice guy. Small world.)
He made a point of saying he didn't want to interview me because he'd gotten the review, read the resume, and that he didn't like taking the time for the redundant sit-down meeting. He said a few times, "Well, if X project doesn't work, don't worry, we can definitely find other ways to use you."
It ended with his saying "Come to the office in a week, we'll make sure we're eye to eye, cross all the t's, and get you started."
Sweet. After over a year of job searching, I'm excited.
A week later, I come in, and we go to a conference room, where he and the office manager ask questions about my resume, explain the job again, and start going into details of the projects that are coming up. They explain the way the company earns its' money, where the holes are, what needs to be done, etc.
After an hour or so, getting ready to leave, they say "okay, we'll let you know by the end of the week what the plan is, see where we go from there."
Was that an interview? It felt like it, so I'm tempted to send a follow up note--
That being said, new-boss made a point of saying a week before that he didn't want to bother with the interview process, etc... so could it be seen as a snub to send a note thanking him for an interview? (Kind of a passive aggressive "You said X, Y happened. I'm going to "thank" you." -- It certainly wouldn't be intended that way. ... but I can't exactly state that without drawing attention to the incongruity.)
I admit, I walked away confused as to whether I had the job or not-- they kept making reference to how I'd be used, we discussed that hiring me at my age/experience had advantages because I could be let go easily if things didn't work out, discussed a performance review at the beginning of the year, etc.
I got a phone call last weekend from a potential employer who wanted to hire me. I'd not interviewed with this company, but with a different company for a similar position.
The potential new-boss explained that he was just hired, wanted to shake things up, (it's a small company with probably less than 20 employees), liked my resume, and that I was given a glowing review by the other interviewers (also the bosses at a similar small company in the same industry).
Most of the twenty minute phone conversation, he was explaining the job, and why he wanted me. (And why there was an opening-- as it turns out, the guy I'd replace got the job I first interviewed for. Nice guy. Small world.)
He made a point of saying he didn't want to interview me because he'd gotten the review, read the resume, and that he didn't like taking the time for the redundant sit-down meeting. He said a few times, "Well, if X project doesn't work, don't worry, we can definitely find other ways to use you."
It ended with his saying "Come to the office in a week, we'll make sure we're eye to eye, cross all the t's, and get you started."
Sweet. After over a year of job searching, I'm excited.
A week later, I come in, and we go to a conference room, where he and the office manager ask questions about my resume, explain the job again, and start going into details of the projects that are coming up. They explain the way the company earns its' money, where the holes are, what needs to be done, etc.
After an hour or so, getting ready to leave, they say "okay, we'll let you know by the end of the week what the plan is, see where we go from there."
Was that an interview? It felt like it, so I'm tempted to send a follow up note--
That being said, new-boss made a point of saying a week before that he didn't want to bother with the interview process, etc... so could it be seen as a snub to send a note thanking him for an interview? (Kind of a passive aggressive "You said X, Y happened. I'm going to "thank" you." -- It certainly wouldn't be intended that way. ... but I can't exactly state that without drawing attention to the incongruity.)
I admit, I walked away confused as to whether I had the job or not-- they kept making reference to how I'd be used, we discussed that hiring me at my age/experience had advantages because I could be let go easily if things didn't work out, discussed a performance review at the beginning of the year, etc.
Best answer: don't call it an "interview", but do follow up with a thank you regarding the conversation, and that you're looking forward to hearing from him..
posted by HuronBob at 3:41 PM on September 22, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by HuronBob at 3:41 PM on September 22, 2009 [1 favorite]
It's good form to send a followup note regardless of the context.
In this case, I'd say some to the effect of "It was great getting together today and hearig more about the project. I look forward to reconnecting next week. Don't hesitate to contact me before then."
posted by bpm140 at 3:42 PM on September 22, 2009
In this case, I'd say some to the effect of "It was great getting together today and hearig more about the project. I look forward to reconnecting next week. Don't hesitate to contact me before then."
posted by bpm140 at 3:42 PM on September 22, 2009
it is always appropriate to thank someone for taking the time out of their day to talk to you. i would just send a note (i would send email, but in my world that's kosher--send email or a paper note according to that business' standards) saying how much you enjoyed talking to them, how interested you are in the position and don't hesitate to call if you have any more questions.
don't assume you're hired until you have a start date. sometimes, in my experience, managers will talk like that but not necessarily make the offer.
sounds exciting, though. good luck!
posted by thinkingwoman at 3:42 PM on September 22, 2009
don't assume you're hired until you have a start date. sometimes, in my experience, managers will talk like that but not necessarily make the offer.
sounds exciting, though. good luck!
posted by thinkingwoman at 3:42 PM on September 22, 2009
Could you write him a quick note to thank him for taking the time to meet you? That might be enough to keep you in his mind as a strong potential candidate, without the overkill of thanking him for the non-interview interview.
posted by jordanlewis at 3:43 PM on September 22, 2009
posted by jordanlewis at 3:43 PM on September 22, 2009
Response by poster: ... change "interview" to "conversation", and it all works. Oops.
As I bashfully walk backwards out of the room...
Thank you, hive mind!
posted by Seeba at 3:58 PM on September 22, 2009
As I bashfully walk backwards out of the room...
Thank you, hive mind!
posted by Seeba at 3:58 PM on September 22, 2009
Response by poster: ... as a followup
I got a phone call about ten minutes ago, "You're hired. Start Monday. ::pay/benefit details here::"
Awesome.
posted by Seeba at 5:43 PM on September 22, 2009
I got a phone call about ten minutes ago, "You're hired. Start Monday. ::pay/benefit details here::"
Awesome.
posted by Seeba at 5:43 PM on September 22, 2009
Congratulations, Seeba!
posted by spinifex23 at 5:56 PM on September 22, 2009
posted by spinifex23 at 5:56 PM on September 22, 2009
Congrats! Hope it works out great for you.
posted by zachlipton at 6:41 PM on September 22, 2009
posted by zachlipton at 6:41 PM on September 22, 2009
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Seeba at 3:35 PM on September 22, 2009