What to do after an interview? Many candidates spend time after the interview questioning when they are supposed to be communicating, considering whether they should call or email in hopes of introducing them as motivated and capable. However, there are things you can do to help you get in function.
How do I make sure I get the job after an interview?
The period following a job interview is important for several reasons. First, it provides you with the opportunity, once again, to present yourself as a professional. You have a chance to do this during your interview, but you can reinforce this in your post-interview follow-up by following the practices described in this article.
Second, it is an opportunity to promote yourself as a candidate by keeping your name fresh in the minds of the interviewer. Third, taking the right steps after the interview demonstrates a passion for the job which can be a determining factor if you study closely against other candidates.
What happens after a job interview is just as important as what happens during it. Follow-up after an interview can be the difference between getting a job offer and getting a rejection letter. Often times this step is overlooked or missed altogether. You don’t want to put all the work you put into preparing for and going through the interview by missing this essential step.
ALSO CHECK: JOB POSTINGS
What to do after an interview
1. Get contact information
At the conclusion of the interview, ask about the process going forward. Will the interviewer contact the candidates within a week for a second interview? Make a decision in 10 days? Do they notify everyone who has applied or only the successful candidates? Knowing what to expect will help determine follow-up time and can reduce any anxiety you may have about the entire interview and hiring process.
Keep track of everyone you’ve spoken to during the process. If you have been interviewed by multiple people, record any helpful information or concerns each person raised. Write down the interviewees’ names and contact information, or later ask the interviewer for these details. Getting the names of all of your interview participants is critical because you’ll want to follow up by thanking you for the interview note. A well-written thank you note helps make a great impression on potential employers.
2. Reflect
Whether or not you landed this job, you should be able to learn something from this interview. The best way to do this is to make sure you spend some time thinking about the interview. How would you rate your performance? Was there something that you felt you could improve? Discuss it with someone you trust. Or, write a little bit about what went well and what could have improved. The goal here is not to make yourself feel bad. It is identifying weaknesses in your interviewing and communication skills so that you can perform better next time. Was there a question that held you back? Have difficulty describing your experience? Do some research into common interview questions, practice, practice, and practice!
3. Send a brief but thoughtful follow-up email
Follow-up after the interview is important, and now that you have your notes, you have material to work with. So, take a few minutes to send a quick email to the people you spent the most time with during your interview (one email should do the whole purpose). You can do this within a few hours of your meeting, and you should definitely try to reach them by the end of the next day. If you don’t already have email addresses, do some quick homework online. You will almost certainly be able to locate this information relatively quickly.
Be friendly, and use the notes you jotted down to say something that separates you from the package (Want to link to something you’ve discussed? Share something from your portfolio that is relevant?). Remember, the ultimate goal is to keep your name and your visit in everyone’s mind. It may also be a good time to ask follow-up questions about the role or its tasks. However, you don’t want to spend much of their time with this email, so be sure to shorten it.
4. Connect with your interviewer online
It is a good idea to think beyond the current position you just interviewed because you are likely to create a long-term relationship with that interlocutor, even if you don’t secure the vacancy right away. Review your post-interview notes and reach out to your interviewer on LinkedIn by finding a contact opportunity based on a discussion that arose during the interview. You might have mentioned a newspaper article related to their business that you’d like to forward, for example.
These links are important because if you don’t land the current position, something might pop up later and the interviewer might think of you.
5. Notify your references
Having suitable references is essential to your job search and you don’t want them to feel like they are being rude by a potential employer. So, if you haven’t already, alert your reviewer that they may receive a call or email and summarize your status for the job. Add any points you want them to focus on in their recommendations.
Additionally, if any of your strongest supporters has a contact within your potential company, consider exploring their willingness to offer spammy endorsement on your behalf. People usually like to be helpful, but don’t forget to show your appreciation for their support by following up on a thank you letter or email. In fact, it might be a good idea to send a thank you note to all references.
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