HEARD IN THE LUNCHROOM

Sweat the Small Stuff

While you might think your interview with a potential employer was a rousing success, the hiring manager may still be trying to decide between you and another equally qualified candidate. Here are subtle ways to tip the scales in your favor:

• Take time to give thanks. Candidates who demonstrate professionalism and poise are highly regarded by hiring managers. Setting aside time to send a sincere thank-you note after the interview not only shows that you’re courteous, but it also might help you beat out the competition.  According to a Robert Half International survey, 88 percent of executives said that sending a thank-you note following an interview can boost a job seeker’s chances of getting the job. That letter should briefly reaffirm your interest in the position and reiterate why you’re a good fit for the role. Just make sure to send a personalized note, either handwritten or e-mailed, to each person you met with. 
• Get your references in order. The savviest candidates prepare their references for the eventual call from a hiring manager. Be sure to contact your references for permission to use their names.  Also send them both your resume and a description of the job for which you’re applying so they can be better prepared to discuss how you’re uniquely qualified for that particular position.

Presentation Pitfalls

Have you ever made a mistake during a presentation you were giving? You might be surprised to learn that even seasoned executives have had embarrassing moments when speaking in front of a group. Our company asked advertising and marketing executives to describe their most awkward presentation experiences. Whether the result of nerves, technical glitches, clothing gone awry or just plain bad luck, it seems that, sometimes, what can go wrong will go wrong. Here are some examples:

• “I was a little nervous and chewing on the end of a felt pen. When I got up to speak I didn’t realize the pen had broken and I had ink all over my face. My teeth were black, my mouth was black; I had marker everywhere and didn’t realize it!”
• “I was in a meeting and my hosiery fell down. I was mortified and stayed seated until the meeting was over.”
• “Our senior executive’s slip fell during a presentation.”
• “I spilled a freshly made cup of coffee across the boardroom table, and it poured onto the client’s lap.”
• “We were displaying a TV spot on videotape, and my coworker hit Record instead of Play and taped over it.”
• “When the account manager sat down at the conference table, the back of the chair broke, and she was trapped between the chair and the wall.”

Careful preparation can help prevent some, but not all, mishaps.  Here are some tips for recovering after a slip-up:

• Remain calm. Take a deep breath and focus on keeping your composure. 
• Acknowledge the problem.  Address the situation in a humorous way if possible.  A quick one-liner can make everyone feel more at ease.
• Take a break. If it’s a matter that could take a few minutes to resolve, such as a technical glitch or a spill, suggest a quick “intermission.”

Heard in the Lunchroom^SM is provided by Robert Half, the world’s largest specialized staffing firm and a leading authority on workplace and management trends. For more information, visit www.rhi.com.