“Get the facts, or the facts will get you. And when you get them, get them right, or they will get you wrong.” – Dr Thomas Fuller

So, what’s the deal with cell phones? Are they really the killer devices people make them out to be? Well, it seems the jury is still out on that one. Recent studies show that most of the concerns may be in our heads. Ironically, using a hands free kit in your car might not be as safe as they proclaim to be. Hopefully, with technology advancing at such a pace, that won’t be a concern for long.

(To download your completely free copy of the South African or International edition of Work in Progress, right-click and save the relevant link. Then open, enjoy, and repeat as needed.)

“Success is the ability to go from failure to failure without losing your enthusiasm.” – Winston Churchill

To continue with last week’s post on acing the interview, let’s take a look at what happens once it’s done:

Get feedback. Spend some time after the interview thinking about what happened. What went well that you can feel proud about? What went wrong that you can work on for next time? Learning is so important here. Send the interviewer a thank you email and ask if they’re in a position to give you feedback too. Getting an objective perspective about your performance is highly valuable. It also shows you’re the type of person who cares about personal development, which is something they’ll likely remember you for.

Finalise the offer. If all goes well, it shouldn’t be too long before they make you an offer. Ask for something in writing if what they gave you was simply an informal and non-binding acceptance over the phone. Once you’ve received your contract, review it for a day or two (with a lawyer if you need to) and gain clarification on any terms you’re unsure about. There may even be room to negotiate things you’d like to include. Remember that it’s not about the money. This is about getting a job you’ve worked hard for and will be able to grow in.

Move on. Of course, there’s a chance they might say no. It’s nothing personal. Perhaps they don’t see you fitting in with the organisational culture, which means they’re doing you a favour by saving you the frustration and pain. Or maybe they’re making a huge mistake. Never stop looking! Know that you’re competent and talented. Know that there are great companies out there that would be lucky to have you. There’s always something somewhere that will work for you.

 (To download your completely free copy of the South African or International edition of Work in Progress, right-click and save the relevant link. Then open, enjoy, and repeat as needed.)