Work Coach Cafe

Dear Work Coach,

I just had the shortest telephone interview ever. I was very happy how it was going thru the first 3 questions, then the interviewer said “I just started the interview process, and I will be going thru other candidates. If you are going thru to the next step I will contact you by next week.” That’s when I expressed my interest for the position, and how well it fit my profile. The end of it.

From your experience, after only three questions should I expect a call, or should I assume that’s it which is what I am feeling even though the questions and answers were flowing pretty nicely?

Also, how soon should I follow up with a thank you e-mail?

Thank you for your advice. And by the way, Great Blog, I must say.

Javier

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Hi Javier!

Thanks for the questions and the kind words. I’ve conducted many phone interviews and sometimes I end it pretty quickly because I know it won’t work, but sometimes I stop short because I already know that I want to bring the person in for another interview. Usually I give them a clue if it’s the latter case, but not everyone would do that.

So my short answer to your question about a short interview is: I’m not sure. I wish I were. I like that you felt it was going well and, at the end, you still expressed your interest. That gives me some hope. Sounds like you did everything you could. I wouldn’t count it out yet.

Maybe you’ll get a nice surprise and be asked to come interview after all. If not, it might simply be that you did give a good interview, but the person knew you weren’t the right match for them. It happens.

Also, if any part of you (or any of my readers) is wondering about your phone interview skills, you can always get a recorder and practice doing phone interviews with a friend or even by yourself. This helps you listen to yourself and also brush up a bit. But again, that may not be relevant in your case.

As for the thank you note, if you have the interviewer’s e-mail, send it right away. You might say something about how much you enjoyed speaking with the person and how more than ever you are very interested in the job. (Use your own words, of course.) Short and sweet is best…especially considering that seems to be their style.

I am still hoping you hear some good news next week (or the week after if they fall behind schedule). While a longer interview would certainly have felt more positive, these things are a mystery, even after you’ve done as many as I have (on both sides of the table). All we can do right now is guess and hope.

Good luck, Javier. Please let us know what happens!

Ronnie Ann

Related post: Please Help Me Ace My Phone Interview!