Pick me! Pick me! How do I do the employment equivalent of getting chosen for the team?
April 14, 2011 8:07 AM Subscribe
I am in the running to get a dream job. I just heard back from the place and it is between me and one other candidate with a decision to be made by the end of next week. Is it appropriate/would it be helpful to make one final pitch to my contact?
I've been going through an extended interview process and after two weeks of radio silence, received an email with an update on where they were on the hiring process--they are interviewing one other person and will be making the decision next week. I really, really, really want this job--it involves an issue about which I care passionately and have years of experience working on. I want to do everything in my power to help my cause. Do you think it would be helpful/appropriate in my response to the "are you still interested?" question to give what would essentially be "Hell yes!?" By this I mean I'd love to include a final pitch saying how much I want the job because of how important it is, how much I care about the issue and that it would be a dream job that I'd throw myself into wholeheartedly. I've been pretty clear on my passion for the issue throughout the process, but I'm wondering if one last boost would come off as confidently selling myself or a little too earnestly desperate? (I've already submitted writing samples, etc., so there really aren't more materials to provide at this point.) This is for a position in the nonprofit rather than the private/corporate sector if that makes a difference in your perspectives.
As a side note, I know some people who would be willing to make calls for me to individuals involved in the hiring decision to talk me up. I can do the full court press, but don't want it to be seen as a nuisance/enough already tactic.
What do you think I should do/where is the line between aggressively pursuing the job I want and selling myself to the employer and just coming off as too pushy and desperate?
I've been going through an extended interview process and after two weeks of radio silence, received an email with an update on where they were on the hiring process--they are interviewing one other person and will be making the decision next week. I really, really, really want this job--it involves an issue about which I care passionately and have years of experience working on. I want to do everything in my power to help my cause. Do you think it would be helpful/appropriate in my response to the "are you still interested?" question to give what would essentially be "Hell yes!?" By this I mean I'd love to include a final pitch saying how much I want the job because of how important it is, how much I care about the issue and that it would be a dream job that I'd throw myself into wholeheartedly. I've been pretty clear on my passion for the issue throughout the process, but I'm wondering if one last boost would come off as confidently selling myself or a little too earnestly desperate? (I've already submitted writing samples, etc., so there really aren't more materials to provide at this point.) This is for a position in the nonprofit rather than the private/corporate sector if that makes a difference in your perspectives.
As a side note, I know some people who would be willing to make calls for me to individuals involved in the hiring decision to talk me up. I can do the full court press, but don't want it to be seen as a nuisance/enough already tactic.
What do you think I should do/where is the line between aggressively pursuing the job I want and selling myself to the employer and just coming off as too pushy and desperate?
Yes - send the final pitch and reiterate your passion for the cause and position. I don't see any way that this can hurt you. For a previous nonprofit job, I told the interviewer during our last conversation, "I'm not sure how appropriate it is to campaign for this position, but I would do a really really good job for you and see this as the perfect job for me." That's what employers want to hear, and I got the job.
posted by jrichards at 8:21 AM on April 14, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by jrichards at 8:21 AM on April 14, 2011 [1 favorite]
Yes, absolutely. And by all means have your best/most articulate/most influential contact make a call on your behalf.
posted by ottereroticist at 9:04 AM on April 14, 2011
posted by ottereroticist at 9:04 AM on April 14, 2011
I'd also add a line about how you can help them if you are hired. Perhaps something about how your professional contacts will bring new opportunities to the organization...or your creative problem solving can help with organizational issues discussed during the interview. Don't make it all about you and how much you want it. Make it about what they will get with hiring you.
Good luck to you!
posted by Jandasmo at 9:36 AM on April 14, 2011
Good luck to you!
posted by Jandasmo at 9:36 AM on April 14, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
Good luck!
posted by amanda at 8:11 AM on April 14, 2011 [1 favorite]