So there is a job that i really want that i have a good shot at getting..

[...Whitepower...]

I'll try to make this quick.

Recruiter calls me. She found my resume online on a job board and wants to know if i have an interest in a requisition she is trying to fill. The position pays well, good company, its back in the energy field that i left a year ago, and will lead to a promotion in about a years time once i get up to spead. Best part about it is i work from home and my territory is GA so i won't have to many overnights at all which i like with the kids being as young as they are. I really need to get out in the field as i hate working on the inside with micromanaging supervisors.

Three weeks back i completed their app and did an extensive phone interview with the recruiter (45 minutes). Seeing that the company is based out of state and this is a remote position the VP of Sales flew into town last Monday and conducted face to face interviews for the day. I was one of six people called in. The company has four other guys in the state working for different divisions of the company and the municipality rep (they do alot of state govt work) which is one of the more senior reps sat in on the interview. I did well during the interview, but i don't fell like i killed it.

Anyway the day after the interview i sent my thank you email to both guys that i sat down with, and shot the recruiter a thank you email. During the interview they said they wanted to move quick to get the position filled asap so on Thursday i called the VP and left a message following up. Friday i get a call from the recruiter saying that they were impressed by me and want me to meet with one of the other reps in state that i will be working closley with. To me this is a good sign. Makes no sense to interview with a guy that is below the VP unless they are seriously considering me. After a little bit i get out of the recruiter that i am one of two people meeting with this guy so i have a 50/50 shot of getting an offer.

Now apparently this guy is traveling this week but i am supposed to meet with him either this coming monday or tuesday. I assume after we meet he will report back to the VP and they will make a decision.

Here's the question... What can i do in between now and then to give myself a leg up on this other candidate? As i mentioned i don't think i did as well in the interview as i could have and i want to try and seperate myself from this other guy/girl a little bit if at all possible. I was thinking of being proactive and sending an email to the VP saying thanks again with some contact info for a couple of referrals from past vendors i have dealt with as well as previous supervisors.

My worry is that it may seem too eager and premature at this point. What do you guys think and what else can i do in the interim to seperate myself from the comp?



Discuss...

[ConstantChange]

I wouldn't send any more emails. I would study up on the company and the industry. During the interview, I would probably ask questions about specific industry/company events showing your knowledge in that area.

[kingpin]

I think that if you are 1 of 2 the decision is going to be based solely on the rep you will be meeting with.
How well you know their product/services, as well as who their current clients are will at least show you are knowledgeable about the company.

Good Luck

[boracayjohnny]

Imo, that's a tough one. Just about everyone thinks they sucked during the interview process. You've already gotten them down to you and another guy by showing your strong capabilities. So, I can only offer the standard hookers and blow.

Edit:
I really meant this:

Seriously, good luck with you being selected.

[...Whitepower...]

Originally Posted by kingpin

How well you know their product/services, as well as who their current clients are will at least show you are knowledgeable about the company.

That is exactly what has my thinking....

One of the larger vendors they use on a regular basis is a vendor that i used to support at my previous company and that i was a rep for them for the sates of GA, SC, and NC. I can easily get references from reps/managers that work for a company that they work with regularly. Granted its a different division of the company but its the same company. I was thinking this could play in my favor..

[kingpin]

Originally Posted by ...Whitepower...

That is exactly what has my thinking....

One of the larger vendors they use on a regular basis is a vendor that i used to support at my previous company and that i was a rep for them for the sates of GA, SC, and NC. I can easily get references from reps/managers that work for a company that they work with regularly. Granted its a different division of the company but its the same company. I was thinking this could play in my favor..

It's already been said, but I'd stay away from more emails to the V.P. and such.
What you can do is have a small 1 or 2 page portfolio with you that has all the information you mentioned and give it the Rep you will be meeting.
Sales is about confidence and knowledge in a product or service you have been hired to sell.
Stay away from answering questions with "I know" or anything similar and I think you will be golden.

[NB2K]

Originally Posted by ...Whitepower...

That is exactly what has my thinking....

One of the larger vendors they use on a regular basis is a vendor that i used to support at my previous company and that i was a rep for them for the sates of GA, SC, and NC. I can easily get references from reps/managers that work for a company that they work with regularly. Granted its a different division of the company but its the same company. I was thinking this could play in my favor..

Good deal.

No more emails, but bring that to the follow-up.

Only use it (the written references) if you feel you need it.

You may already have the gig; the "other candidate" may be a smokescreen.

As was said, study their website, know as much as you can about them.


One more thing: ixnay on the Hilter Youth t-shirt.

[...Whitepower...]

Originally Posted by kingpin

What you can do is have a small 1 or 2 page portfolio with you that has all the information you mentioned and give it the Rep you will be meeting.

Not a bad idea..

[...Whitepower...]

Originally Posted by NB2K

Good deal.

No more emails, but bring that to the follow-up.

Only use it (the written references) if you feel you need it.

You may already have the gig; the "other candidate" may be a smokescreen.

I don't have any written letters, it would be more along the lines of names, titles, phone #'s, and email addys.

Never thought about the smokescreen possibility wither but it could make sense. After all, i am interviewing "down" after meeting with the VP.

[NB2K]

Originally Posted by ...Whitepower...

I don't have any written letters, it would be more along the lines of names, titles, phone #'s, and email addys.

Never thought about the smokescreen possibility wither but it could make sense. After all, i am interviewing "down" after meeting with the VP.

That's cool, but i'd have that info typed up on a piece of paper, just as a standby. Use it at the end of the meeting as a "close".

[...Whitepower...]

Originally Posted by NB2K

That's cool, but i'd have that info typed up on a piece of paper, just as a standby. Use it at the end of the meeting as a "close".

Exactly what i was thinking.. Offer up an electronic copy too when i get his card so he can forward it on easily.

See... You guys are actually good for something other than talkig shit...

[kingpin]

After reading a couple ideas here from NB2K and yourself I think it is even more important to make sure you get along and have some kind of connection with the other Rep.
I really think he's the one who is going to be making the final decision.

[...Whitepower...]

Originally Posted by kingpin

After reading a couple ideas here from NB2K and yourself I think it is even more important to make sure you get along and have some kind of connection with the other Rep.
I really think he's the one who is going to be making the final decision.

I got this..

Stuart Smalley's famous quote - YouTube

[ConstantChange]

Originally Posted by kingpin

What you can do is have a small 1 or 2 page portfolio with you that has all the information you mentioned and give it the Rep you will be meeting.

This.

[ZipZap]

Like everybody else has said, no more unrequested contact.

Study the company and be ready to discuss specifics on how you, given your experience, would be a good fit. Look at the big picture - are they aggressive or conservative? Are they focused on government or commercial markets? Are they growing, stable or shrinking?

You can weave your story into theirs and make it look like a natural and comfortable fit.

[Meeko87]

Face tattoo for the win

[Chris Fowler]

heard of Tanya Harding?

[Fastguy]

Don't send e-mails in a case like this, only a hand written note. An e-mail says "I give just enough of a shit about you to type this up."
It doesn't have to be War and Peace, just a small hand written note thanking them for giving you the opportunity to interview. It appears that you have made one phone call and one e-mail, which doesn't sound over eager, it sounds competent.

[WarDriver]

Originally Posted by ...Whitepower...

Here's the question... What can i do in between now and then to give myself a leg up on this other candidate?

Find out who the other candidate is and lock her in your basement for a week.

But seriously, you shouldn't do anything. Just relax and be yourself, and let your strengths shine through. If you're the best fit for the job, they will choose you - and there is no way to really know what their selection criteria are in advance.

Good luck landing the job.

[8Up]

Sounds like they already like you, it might be out of your control at this point if they have particulay quality/qualification in mind. I do hope you get it since it is somthing you really want, that would be a nice start to the new year. Best of luck!