Fall 2008 High Touch Communications Managing Interviews and Offers with Finesse MBA Career Management

Polishing Your Political Skills Have you ever wondered what makes some professionals so successful? Have you ever wondered what makes some professionals so successful? It's usually not because they're smarter, harder-working or have a degree from a more prestigious college than you. It's usually not because they're smarter, harder-working or have a degree from a more prestigious college than you. It's almost always because they've established a good personal relationship with their clients--a relationship that instills trust, confidence and mutual respect. They know how to meet people, how to make them feel at ease and how to make them want to do business with them. The secret of their success lies in their people skills. They've learned that manners mean more business. MBA Career Management Ellis Chase/Denyse Burns, EMBA

The Situation: 1 st Round interview From: Recruiter Sent: Tuesday, January 16, :50 PM To: Josie Subject: Consulting Firm - Thursday, January 25 Interview Confirmation Dear Josie, We look forward to seeing you on Thursday, January 25, for your first round of interviews with Consulting Firm. This confirms your interview time - 9:00 AM. There will be two back-to-back sessions, each with a case and personal experience interview. Please plan to arrive about 15 minutes prior to the start of your interview to get settled. Interviews will take place in our New York office. Please bring a photo ID to check in with building security on the mezzanine level, and then please proceed to the 1st floor conference center. Dress is business attire. Please contact me should you have any questions. Thank you, Recruiter MBA Career Management

The Response – How would you take this? From: Josie Sent: 01/24/ :28 PM To: Recruiter Subject: RE: Consulting Firm- Thursday, January 25 Interview Confirmation Dear Recruiter, I was scheduled to interview on Thurs 1/25 at 9:00am. Due to the fact I will likely accept one of the offers for summer internship which I have received, I’d like to let you know and also hope not to take up an interviewing spot from other available candidates. I apologize for the inconvenience and that I couldn’t inform you earlier since I got the offer yesterday. Thank you for your understanding and consideration. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Best regards, Josie Josie| Columbia Business School | MBA 2007 | MBA Career Management

Highlights to note – what might get you into trouble From: Josie Sent: 01/24/ :28 PM To: Recruiter Subject: RE: Consulting Firm- Thursday, January 25 Interview Confirmation Dear Recruiter, I was scheduled to interview on Thurs 1/25 at 9:00am. Due to the fact I will likely accept one of the offers for summer internship which I have received, I’d like to let you know and also hope not to take up an interviewing spot from other available candidates. I apologize for the inconvenience and that I couldn’t inform you earlier since I got the offer yesterday. Thank you for your understanding and consideration. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Best regards, Josie Josie| Columbia Business School | MBA 2007 | MBA Career Management

Balancing 2 nd Rounds – Best Practices Once you’ve already committed to a time with Firm A, you should not go back to Firm A and change that time slot unless you there is no other alternative. Before you commit to a time with Firm B, explain the situation and ask for alternative days and times; mention that you have already committed to the day/time with another firm and that you feel you need to honor that commitment. It reflects negatively on you with Firm A if you try to reschedule. When you handle scheduling well, Firm B will notice. If after your 2 nd round, you don’t get an offer try to ask for feedback as to how to make yourself a stronger candidate for future recruiting. It paints you as proactive and still very much interested in the firm. Understand that many firms may not offer feedback, or offer more generic feedback. When you start getting offers( ), if you know FOR CERTAIN that (with said offer) that you would not want to accept a position with firms with which you’re still interviewing, respectfully decline the 2 nd rounds. Follow up with the recruiter and your interviewers (and anyone else with whom you’ve had meaningful discussions) BY PHONE, explain the situation and ask that you hope to be considered for fall recruiting. And, of course, don’t cancel less than 48 hours before your appointment. MBA Career Management Hailey Wu, Class of 2008

Speed kills: imely response; quick acknowledgement; transactional; not best for delicate communication - Purpose - timely response; quick acknowledgement; transactional; not best for delicate communication Proofreading – grammar, punctuation, and, especially, TONE - Proofreading – grammar, punctuation, and, especially, TONE - Courtesy – salutation, closing Length/business style - Length/business style - Check the recipient before “Send” – and read again MBA Career Management

Managing the Process – quick tips Keep 1 st Round appointments – don’t cancel 1 st round interviews for 2 nd round interviews Return phone calls and s in a timely fashion – and no “ring and runs”! Be as sensitive with a company if you are declining/canceling a 2 nd round interview or offer; no firm wants to hear that they are not your first choice. When you decline offers, follow up with everyone: the recruiter, your interviewers (and anyone else with whom you’ve had meaningful discussions). This means telephone conversations. If the person is not available, leave voic and then follow-up with an if necessary. Demonstrate courtesy and professionalism by letting them know what your decision is and thank them for their help and support. When you make your final decision, you might wish to follow up with everyone in writing. MBA Career Management Goal-Get and accept one offer Goal-Maintain all key relationships, choose one to pursue that further adds to your skill set