Your job interview is over and it feels like you have it in the bag.
Or maybe you feel there’s nothing else that can be done to set yourself apart.
While it seems like the end of the road, there is still one important step to take in the process: the job interview follow up. Not only is following up an opportunity to demonstrate good etiquette, but it’s also a final chance to set yourself apart – building off your interactions in the interview.
Use the following steps for your post interview follow up and feel confident that you did everything you could to land the job!
Request A Business Card After the Interview
This tip actually is important to how you conduct yourself after the job interview. Whether you are interviewed by one person or a group, ask each individual for their business card or contact information (you will use this for your follow up). This is also a good opportunity to inquire about the next steps in the hiring process. It’s perfectly acceptable to ask their plan from here so you know what to accept. “Do you have a time frame for when you will be reaching a decision?” “Will there be a 2nd interview process?”
Keep the questions away from focusing on you specifically and more geared towards their general hiring plan. This will also let you know how to appropriately follow up. It’s unlikely, but there could be a company that discourages follow up calls. You don’t want to shoot yourself in the foot by not getting an idea of what’s befitting and what’s not.
Thank You Note After the Interview
There are two different mediums for sending an after the interview thank you note – email and a physical letter. Try to send out an email thank you letter the same day as your interview (remember to include all parties if there multiple people). Obviously, you want to thank the employer for their time and opportunity, but also bring something up that you discussed in the interview. “Upon further thought on our discussion of _______, I am more confident that I am a great fit for the role because I . . .” This is your chance to show you have analyzed their needs and are confident you are what they are looking for. Think of it as a reverse cover letter.
Sending a post-interview thank you email is a must – but go above and beyond by sending a physical thank you note as well. You don’t want this to be an exact replica of your email, so take some time to personalize it and touch on something else discussed in the interview. Some might see it as overkill – but you never know what chord you could strike with someone who might appreciate this timeless approach.
Follow Up Phone Call After the Interview
The anticipation of a decision after an interview is always rough. You want to know you got it – so the waiting game can be excruciating! The fact is, employers could still be interviewing for weeks to come. You don’t want to fall through the cracks so plan on a follow up phone call a week after your interview. Ask to speak with the individual you interviewed with and state that you are “following up regarding your interview and the status of your application.”
You could get your answer right then, but most likely you will get an idea of what stage they are at in the process – and how things will play out from here. The goal is show you are still interested and stay on their radar.
What strategies have you used to follow up post-interview?