Page 184 - James Caan - Get the Job you Really Want

Now they’re surprised. I’ve really thrown them. They are
confused because I have done something they absolutely did
not expect me to do.
I would then write back. That gives me time to consider,
to reflect on what they have said, and time to compose the

response. The key thing here is not to criticize their decision.
I would word the letter, or email, along the following lines.

Thank you for taking the time to speak to me yesterday.
I really appreciate your honesty. I have had a chance
to reflect on the things you said, and I can clearly see
how you came to make your decision. It is probably my
fault, because I didn’t explain myself clearly enough.

But when I was at this particular company, one of
the key focuses of my job covered exactly the area of
your concern about my experience. As a result of that

focus, these are the things I achieved there that made a
significant di≠erence to the company’s success . . .

Because you now know the element you were missing in the
interview, you have the chance to demonstrate very specifically

that you do have the experience they thought was missing.
Now, I’m not saying they are going to call you tomorrow and
o≠er you the job, but the odds have certainly improved in

your favour.
You can always tilt the balance towards you by establish-
ing what the window of opportunity would be if you don’t
make the cut – in other words, how much time have you got

172 get the job you really want