Week 6: Turn a no into a lesson

Hi everyone,

The best follow-up can turn a no into a learning experience.

Here are my numbers. I close about three out of ten opportunities. Only three out of ten conversations turn into an opportunity. Only one out of a hundred emails turns into a conversation. Most of what I send gets no answer.

The biggest feedback I get in my job is silence. I have to treat silence as an unstated no. Trying the same thing over and over and expecting a different result doesn’t work, so I change something.

After an interview, thank the person for their time. That note is also a chance to learn something about your approach. Ask one last question: “During the interview, I thought I was a fit because of X. Can you tell me honestly what you thought, so I can learn?” The more you learn, the more you can adjust your job search.

This week we’ll also read from Daniel Pink’s The Power of Regret. Pink describes four types of regret: foundation, boldness, moral, and connection. We’ll focus on connection regrets, the relationships you wish you had kept up. Keep the people you meet in this search, and reach out when you don’t need anything.

This is your last week in the circle. Send your follow-up notes, and send one to your mentor.

Everything for this week is here: go.sujeeth.org/week6

Thanks! Avi