Interview Question

[xaeniac]

Had a job interview today with two of the three scheduled leaders. An additional leader was supposed to be there, but got involved in other business matters. Should I send any correspondence to the absent leader? If so what type or do I disregard this individual altogether. I have the absent member's contact information, but have never spoke with the absent leader.

 

[Smoblikat]

Hello, im sorry you were unable to attend the interview today for (XXX) position, if you have any questions for me please give me a call at 555-555-5555.

Thanks you,
XXX


Some shit like that

 

[thestrangebrew1]

I suppose it'd show initiative, but I wouldn't. It'd almost seem stalkerish. The other 2 will brief the absent 3rd.

 

[PenguinPower]

No.

 

[TheVrolok]

Hello, im sorry you were unable to attend the interview today for (XXX) position, if you have any questions for me please give me a call at 555-555-5555.

Thanks you,
XXX


Some shit like that

I like this. Initiative is a good thing.

 

[AreaCode707]

Nah, just make sure that when you send a thank you to the other leaders you express regret over the missed opportunity and offer to make yourself available to the third person. Don't contact them directly.

 

[PenguinPower]

I like this. Initiative is a good thing.

Yea...not in this case, it's not.

 

[olds]

Hello, im sorry you were unable to attend the interview today for (XXX) position, if you have any questions for me please give me a call at 555-555-5555.

Thanks you,
XXX


Some shit like that

I was going to go with this

Nah, just make sure that when you send a thank you to the other leaders you express regret over the missed opportunity and offer to make yourself available to the third person. Don't contact them directly.

Then hotchic disagreed. She's da bomb in employment matters, so this.

 

[TheVrolok]

Yea...not in this case, it's not.

Care to explain why?

 

[AreaCode707]

Care to explain why?

It puts the interviewer into a slight defensive position, reminding them they didn't show up to an interview. It's a communication between yourself and a person you've never met, so while they won't think of you in any particular way in the absence of this email, they may receive it in a negative light so you're taking a risk for no great payoff.

 

[RossMAN]

It puts the interviewer into a slight defensive position, reminding them they didn't show up to an interview. It's a communication between yourself and a person you've never met, so while they won't think of you in any particular way in the absence of this email, they may receive it in a negative light so you're taking a risk for no great payoff.

Well said.

 

[TheVrolok]

It puts the interviewer into a slight defensive position, reminding them they didn't show up to an interview. It's a communication between yourself and a person you've never met, so while they won't think of you in any particular way in the absence of this email, they may receive it in a negative light so you're taking a risk for no great payoff.

Conversely, might he or she not also think of you in a positive light? Why would he or she be put on the defensive? He/she had a completely legitimate reason to miss the interview, it's part of business, it happens. By sending a short note you're acknowledging that the person absent may be an important member of the decision making process, and he or she can be free to take you up on your offer of additional information. I know I certainly wouldn't respond that way you have suggested, I'm not sure why you're applying that particular response to someone, I see no reason to assume one would have such negative feelings.

 

[FerrelGeek]

Nah, just make sure that when you send a thank you to the other leaders you express regret over the missed opportunity and offer to make yourself available to the third person. Don't contact them directly.

This. If that third person wants to talk to you, they will.

 

[AreaCode707]

Conversely, might he or she not also think of you in a positive light? Why would he or she be put on the defensive? He/she had a completely legitimate reason to miss the interview, it's part of business, it happens. By sending a short note you're acknowledging that the person absent may be an important member of the decision making process, and he or she can be free to take you up on your offer of additional information. I know I certainly wouldn't respond that way you have suggested, I'm not sure why you're applying that particular response to someone, I see no reason to assume one would have such negative feelings.

True but see the split gut reaction in this thread. It could be good, neutral or negative. The absence of the mail is guaranteed to be neutral. A good reaction really doesn't have a tangible payoff. Why take the risk of a negative reaction in trade for a chance of a minor positive reaction with no real payoff?

 

[TheVrolok]

True but see the split gut reaction in this thread. It could be good, neutral or negative. The absence of the mail is guaranteed to be neutral. A good reaction really doesn't have a tangible payoff. Why take the risk of a negative reaction in trade for a chance of a minor positive reaction with no real payoff?

Why does a good reaction not have a tangible payoff?

Bad reaction: I don't like this guy, let's not hire him
Good reaction: I like this guy, let's hire him

Are the reactions not essentially equal? Why is the negative side more likely, or to a higher degree than the positive?

I guess I don't understand why the inherent psyche is assumed to be negative? I've had quite the opposite experience in my own life (obviously anecdotal).

 

[Farang]

If the absent leader was the most senior of the group, or you were supposed to meet with him/her last, you did not get the job.

 

[AreaCode707]

Why does a good reaction not have a tangible payoff?

Bad reaction: I don't like this guy, let's not hire him
Good reaction: I like this guy, let's hire him

Are the reactions not essentially equal? Why is the negative side more likely, or to a higher degree than the positive?

I guess I don't understand why the inherent psyche is assumed to be negative? I've had quite the opposite experience in my own life (obviously anecdotal).

Nobody's going to make a hiring decision based on a note like this, and this tiny little bit of "huh, seems like a decent guy" is going to be the 104th thing on the guy's mind when it actually comes to hiring.

The reactions are equally likely but neutrality is the safer choice for you overall because it falls closer to the standard corporate behavior.

If you want to, feel free. Personally I would find it a little strange and would not be likely to take this path.

 

[bignateyk]

You should stalk him at his house. It will show gumption and that "go getter" attitude they are looking for.

 

[Vdubchaos]

Nah, just make sure that when you send a thank you to the other leaders you express regret over the missed opportunity and offer to make yourself available to the third person. Don't contact them directly.

This

 

[Schfifty Five]

Had a job interview today with two of the three scheduled leaders. An additional leader was supposed to be there, but got involved in other business matters. Should I send any correspondence to the absent leader? If so what type or do I disregard this individual altogether. I have the absent member's contact information, but have never spoke with the absent leader.

I wouldn't. Just seems....odd and out of place.

Of course though, you should follow up with some form of a thank you note to the ones you did actually meet up with.