Go Time...

Last week we talked about the steps you can take to lay the groundwork to find your perfect career.  Before you even walk into the office of someone you want to connect with, there are a number of things you can consider doing before the encounter even begins.  The three crucial steps you can take before your interview are to begin networking with your potential employer early, researching your new company, and rehearsing your interview numerous times.  Implementing these skills into your interview process will give you the inside track and a leg up on the competition.  Let's take this concept and stretch it out into relationship building as it relates to business development as well.

So what happens after your interview or even the sales call?  Selling yourself after an interview is much like selling your brand after you have made a pitch.  You think you nailed it, but there is a lot of competition in this day and age for any coveted job opening or potential business partner.  The goal is to start the race with a substantial head start, and by networking, researching, and rehearsing you definitely did that.  But what steps can you take now to ensure that your head start on the competition stays intact?  To some the below will seem like basic fundamentals, however in this "instant what next"  society we live in, many folks both young and experienced alike would be wise to put into practice these fundamentals:
Follow Up.  Out of all the steps you can take post interview, your number one focus should be on ensuring your name stays top of mind.  Stay relevant in a productive way.  Sure, do the obvious things, like an email or hand-written card thanking the person with whom you interviewed with for his or her time.  This demonstrates that not only are you passionate about the job, but also that you are the type of person that follows up and follows through.  In that note, add a nugget or two that demonstrates you listened well.  Maybe it is a reference to something they had to do or a trip they were taking or a business meeting they mentioned to you.  Furthermore, finding and sending relevant articles or media coverage to your potential employer is a great way to keep your name fresh and express your passion for the opportunity.
When it comes to selling, following up will be vital to your success. In fact, I tell business development teams the meeting really starts when you walk out the door.  Some of the best ways to do this are through social networking and the Internet, including connecting with your contact on Linked In, Facebook, and any other social networking sites.  Many of these mediums offer you the ability to direct connect to your contact and to utilize the "like" option on Facebook to support their efforts.  This may seem like a small step, but it brings your name to the forefront of your contact's mind.  Not to mention it creates a platform to stay connected to their activities without bothering them.
Use Your Network.  Again, we go back to the power of your network.  Most of your interviews will come from word of mouth via a friend, colleague, or family member.  After your interview, use these people to plant seeds.  Perhaps you got the interview through a current employee at the company with which you interviewed.  When he or she sees your interviewer, ask them to mention how much you enjoyed the interview and how impressed you were with the company and its vision.  People love to be appreciated and to know that others buy into their vision.  And through channeling your network, you have the ability to show the person making the big decision how engaged you really are.
The same can be true in sales.  After an important pitch, I encourage people to find articles or topics your contact may find interesting or helpful towards their business development and send direct links to them.  Also, work hard to incorporate social networking opportunities like Twitter in order to tweet about your contact's brand and even retweet the contact's Tweet's in order to garner support and spread the word.  Right then and there you are demonstrating how you can be a vital tool and resource.
Keep Your Options Open.  People sometimes make the grave mistake of closing off all other options while waiting to hear back from that one person.  In this tough competitive environment, it can take employers weeks to make a decision.  Even more of a concern, they are deciding from a large pool of qualified candidates.  Just like in investing, remember to diversify your portfolio.  Sometimes in life, the best prospects come when you are not looking for them at all.  When awaiting a response from a potential employer, keep interviewing and creating prospects for the future so if this particular opportunity does not pan out, you are not left waiting for the next one.
Keep pitching, keep hustling, but consider the positives and negatives of your social media and communicative decisions. The interview and sales process is about hard work and these small steps post interview and post sales call can often times be the difference.