So you just finished interviewing for a job you applied to; you are excited about being hired, and you got this “this-is-it” feeling. But again, other applicants were interviewed, and the hiring manager did not mention anything about the next stage of the hiring process, except that you’ll be contacted. So what do you do next?
Before you panic and get flustered, relax, sit down and write a thank-you note. Regardless of the outcome, writing a thank-you note will do wonders for you and will help improve your chance of getting hired. Even if the eventual result is not in your favour, writing the letter enables you to develop your personality and helps you maintain an optimistic frame of mind.
1. Send a thank-you note.
Writing a thank-you note will do wonders for you and will help improve your chance of getting hired. Even if the eventual result is not in your favour, writing the letter enables you to develop your personality and helps you maintain an optimistic frame of mind. Keep it short and highlight parts of the interview that impacted you. Send your note within 24 hours of your conversation with the hiring manager. Please send it via email, as it is the fastest means of communication. You may also send a handwritten note, but make sure you mail it immediately.
2. Do some information-gathering before you leave
Collect as many calling cards from relevant people before you leave the place of the interview. This way, you’ll have names of people that you can contact if needed. You can also personalise your communications by addressing these people on their terms.
3. Address the concerns raised during the interview
Send out immediate information or additional requirements requested from you during the interview. Do not wait long because this will indicate that you are not interested in the job.
4. Share your thoughts about your interview experience
Acknowledge parts of the interview that impacted you personally and professionally. For example, reiterate how the interview boosted your belief that you have the right qualifications for the job.
5. Recognise the company
Aside from showing gratitude for the opportunity to be considered for the job, mention your observation about the company and express your excitement about being hired. This will make the employer feel you are ready to join them and become an asset to the organisation.
6. Send out personalised letters to interviewers
If you happen to be interviewed by several persons, write each one a customised thank-you note and follow-up letter. Point out the highlights of your conversation with each person and emphasise your qualifications based on your conversation. If contacting the interviewers directly is impossible, you can route the message through the agency or recruiter.
7. Clarify other steps of the hiring process
If you missed asking what you should do next during the interview, a follow-up letter would help you get a clearer picture of the following procedure. At times, hiring managers are too busy with other tasks that they sometimes set aside to follow up with their interviewees. In this case, be proactive in reaching out to them without being pesky. Politely inquire about the status of your application and ask if there are other requirements you need to submit. Do not forget to mention the name of the person who interviewed you, the date and time of the interview, and the position you applied for. This way, your follow-up letter can be forwarded to the relevant person if the company has someone assigned to look at correspondences related to the job posting.
8. Keep lines of communication open
Mentioning your contact information in your follow-up letter will make it easier for the hiring manager to keep in touch with you. You indeed have included this in your résumé or CV, but make it easier for your future employer (and advantageous for you) by completing the information readily available.
9. Grammar and spelling
Like in any professional communication, your follow-up letter must be free of grammatical or typographical errors. You are experienced, and your communications must always be made similarly. Always have someone look at your letter to provide you with a fresh perspective. This is important if you are writing several communications as it will help write each one uniquely.
10. Be professional at all costs
Not all interviews you go into will end up the way you want them. For example, if there were 10 of you who were interviewed for a single position, you only have a 10% chance of being hired. Your success rate will even be lower if there are more interviewees. If you are not accepted, graciously thank the interviewer or hiring manager for the chance provided to you to present your qualifications. Express the positive effect of the interview experience and keep your doors open to possibly work with the company in the future.
After you’ve prepped and practised your responses, a lot goes into an interview. However, it can be easy to forget the following steps, even though they’re crucial for building rapport with hiring managers or potential clients. This blog post discussed some points on following up after an interview, so you don’t miss any opportunities. Which of these tips do you think would help you most in future discussions? It’s worth taking 20 minutes out of your day to improve your chances of getting a job!
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