By Jeffrey Sigman, Account Manager
It is not over yet! You applied for the job and you just walked out of an interview with your potential employer. What are the steps to take after the construction job interview? Do you simply wait to hear back from the construction recruiter or the hiring manager? Well, this is what most of the applicants are going to do. No matter how well an interview went or how much your construction skills fit with the position you applied for, you should never stop trying to maximize your chances of landing a job. Remember that building your construction career is like building a project. The more planning and effort you put into it, the better results you get.
Follow Up
The hiring manager told you that you did great and that you should be hearing back from them soon. Well, this is great news but it shouldn’t be a reason for you not to follow up with a follow up email that allows you to express your gratitude to everyone that took the time to meet with you. In that note, you can revisit the reasons why your construction skills are great for the job and how your construction career background can be of great service to the company. If you work with a construction recruiter, remember that they are the ones to receive your thank you email.
Fill the Gaps
Sometimes we walk out of interviews and have the feeling that we could have addressed something in a better way or that there might be areas that we left some gaps. If you feel like this, then use the follow up email as an opportunity to make up. Include specific examples that help remove possible doubts about your construction skills and strengthen the value of your construction career. You don’t have to write a book as this is going to backfire at you. Just address the points you think you could have given a better response and help the other side fill in possible gaps.
Don’t Go Dark
Sometimes companies exceed time frames for filling a position. They might need to see more applicants or delay the recruitment process for different reasons. Chances are that even after you send out a follow up email, it might be long before you hear back from the potential employer or the construction recruiter. If this is the case, then make sure not to go in the dark. If the hiring manager gave you a timeline for making a decision and they didn’t get back to you, be sure to reach out to them by email and/or phone in order to get an update. If you worked with a construction recruiter, reach out to them. In case you find another job before you hear back from the one you interviewed for, make sure to let everyone know.
Grab the Opportunity
Every interview gives you the chance to build a relationship with someone who has the ability to provide you with employment. Even if your construction skills are not the perfect match for this specific position, keep in mind that further down your construction career, this same company might have opportunities that call for your experience. To be among the first ones to know, connect with the hiring manager on social media and especially on LinkedIn and try to interact with them so that they know you are out there. Make sure to stay professional and avoid becoming overwhelming.
Keep On
Your ultimate goal is finding a construction job that fits your construction skills and helps you build a solid construction career. Having an interview for one position doesn’t mean that you have to stop looking for other opportunities. Even if you feel extremely positive about your recent interview don’t just sit back and wait. Keep on looking. At times, the recruitment process might take longer than you expect. Can you afford waiting? What if eventually another candidate gets the job? You would have lost precious time and maybe lost other positions. When it comes to job hunting, just don’t put all your eggs in one basket.
Key Takeaways for From the Interview to the Jobsite:
- Send a follow up email to everyone involved in the recruitment process
- Use the follow up email to address any concerns
- Don’t go dark if the recruitment process is taking too long
- Connect with the interviewer on social media for future opportunities
- Never stop looking for other job opportunities
About TradeSource
Founded in 1993, TradeSource is a construction labor solutions firm focused on delivering labor solutions to contractors throughout the United States. By supplying skilled tradespeople – where and when they’re needed – we help contractors grow their companies, without the associated costs and hassles of full-time hires. Likewise, we match qualified employees with rewarding and well-paying job opportunities in the construction industry. www.tradesource.com
