I Just Finished an Interview – Now What? Best Post-interview Strategies

You worked hard to get an interview, you researched the company and you presented yourself well to the hiring manager. You left the interview feeling confident. Now what?

There are important professional steps you need to take whether you left the interview feeling like this would be the right next step in your career or not. If you want the position, you need to make sure the hiring manager knows you do and is strongly considering your qualifications and potential contribution. If you don’t feel this is the right position for you, make sure you have appropriate closure with the company to keep your professional reputation intact. Following are important steps you need to take if you do want the position:

Follow-up Steps
Interview Assessment

• The interview assessment is your analysis of how the interview went.
• Right after the interview, grab a pen and pad and write down what you think went well, and what you think needed some more clarification while it’s fresh in your mind
• Write down things you wish you had said, or questions you may have that you didn’t ask.
• You’ll need this information for your follow up correspondence.

If you are working with a recruiter call them soon after your interview:

• Report how the interview went while it’s fresh in your head
• If you want the job , your recruiter can help position you as the leading candidate, so they need to know what you think impressed the hiring manager during the interview. For example, if the hiring manager was interested in hearing more about your writing skills, furnish samples to your recruiter so they can provide themto the interviewer as a follow-up reinforcement.
• If you don’t want the job, the recruiter can help you bring the opportunity to closure and consider you for other positions.

Thank you note
It’s pretty standard knowledge that a thank you note is a vital part of the interviewing process, but what is unclear is what should be in the note. Merely thanking someone for interviewing you does nothing more than show that you are polite. What you want to do is reinforce why they need to hire you.

First things first, make sure you have the correct spelling and title for everyone you met with. It is acceptable to send your letter via email for quickest delivery or you can mail it as long as you send it right away so they receive it before they have made a decision. Make sure you either type the letter with a handwritten signature or that you have clear handwriting and that the stationary is professional with a matching envelope.

Here’s how to do it:

• Send a letter for each person you met during your interview.
• Personalize and customize each letter to relate to that particular interview.
• Express interest in the position – enthusiasm and passion for the position is a strong selling point. The assumption is that since they brought you in for the interview, you have the qualifications on paper. The interview is to gauge your personality fit with the company and just as important, your passion and excitement for the position. That is what makes you stand out from other candidates.
• Reinforce what you can contribute to the company. Remember that the interviewer wants to know what you can do for them. Discussing quantifiable results you have produced for previous employers gives them a greater ability to project your potential contribution than just a solid employment track record and great personality.
• Highlight additional information regarding a question you feel you didn’t answer strongly enough. It’s okay to say "upon further reflection…" or "In thinking back on the interview, I’d like to provide clarification on…." It shows that you are reflective and thorough.
• Always close the letter with the next step in mind such as "I look forward to the next step in the process, let me know if I can provide additional information about me that will help move the process forward."
• Don’t forget to include your contact information.
• Keep the letter concise and use bullet points where appropriate.
• If you were referred to the company by someone you networked with, also send a thank you letter to them to let them know about the interview. They may even follow up on your behalf with the interviewer.

Follow up call

• Assuming at the end of the interview you asked when you can expect to hear something, you will know that if you haven’t heard anything by then, it’s an appropriate time to follow up.
• If you are working with a recruiter, check with them to see if they or you should make a follow up call if you haven’t heard back yet.
• If you are independently interviewing, and you don’t have an expectation of when you should hear back, place the follow up call to ask where in the process they are haven’t heard back a week after your last contact. At that time, you should have something specific to say. Ask if they need to know any additional information to help with the decision-making process and reiterate your interest.

Getting the interview was an accomplishment. Presenting yourself as a strong candidate at the interview was another. The last thing you want to do is drop the ball before closing the deal. Follow up on every interview with as much professionalism as you showed to get the interview and you are sure to impress.