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What is the secret of people who always get job offers?

Sid Kato, Business Owner (Technology Industry) at Array Systems, Inc. (1991-present)

Updated Aug 14

380.1k Views · 5.5k Upvotes

This is a very good question. I’m on the other side of the table now but when I was interviewing I’d get offers over 90% of the time. Here are some of the things I did:

1. Before the interview I’d do as much research on the company and position as possible.
   I’d research the company website, if they are a publicly traded company I’d do research on their annual reporting to their shareholders. If I knew my bosses name I’d research them on LinkedIn to see if someone in my network knew them. If someone knew them then I’d reach out to my friend or relative and I’d ask about them and ask for them to put in a good word for me. If I know someone inside the company I’d ask them about the company and about the role I was interviewing so I could ask some good questions.
2. On the day of the interview I’d make sure to eat something a few hours before the interview to calm down my nerves.
   I’d show up 30 minutes early to ensure all the things that can go wrong like a traffic accident are accounted for. I would make sure I know where to park and often times I’d do a dry run to ensure I know exactly where the building is located.
3. During the interview I’d give a firm handshake, I’d smile during the introduction, I’d make eye contact with everyone interviewing me, when I’d make a mistake answering a question I would apologize and be gracious. When they ask me if I had any questions I’d pull out my notes and ask them three of four questions that weren’t already answered during the course of the interview.
4. After the interview is completed, I’d collect their business cards or get their addresses so I could follow up with a Thank You note. I’d make eye contact and smile again and end with a strong verbal, “Thank You, I really appreciate your time and the opportunity.”
5. The next day I’d send the Thank you Card, I’d follow up with the recruiter or contact person that coordinated the interview with the question, “When can I expect a response, yes or no or next steps?”
6. I’d follow up again one week later and try to get a response “Yes” or “No”. If I receive a “No” response I’d try to ask them where my gaps were and thoughts on how I could do better next time I interview. This way I’m developing my skill of becoming a better interviewee.

▌VOCABULARY:

• put in/say a (good) word for sb: say sth in sb's favour in order to help him 为某人说好话相助；
• dry run: (infml 口) rehearsal or practice, eg for a ceremony or procedure 演习, 排练（如为典礼或礼仪）: Let's do/have a dry run. 我们来排练一下。
• gracious: (of persons and behaviour) kind, polite and generous (esp to sb who is socially inferior) （指人及其行为）和善的, 有礼貌的, 大方的,（尤指）礼贤下士的；
• recruiter: n. 招聘人员, 征兵人员；
• recruit: person who has just joined the armed forces or police and is not yet trained （未经训练的）新兵或新警察: new, recent, raw (ie inexperienced) recruits 新兵