7 Things to Do After the Job Interview

by Alex A. Kecskes

You think you nailed that big job interview. Your resume positively glows with applicable experience and accolades, and you’re headed home, hoping the phone will ring with a job offer. But what should you do in the meantime? What can you do except bite you nails, stare at the phone, and ease your nerves with a bucket of Häagen-Dazs? Some suggestions:

1. Before You Leave. Let the interviewer know in so many words that you really want the job. Find out what happens next. If you make the short list, will you be invited to meet other managers? When do they expect to fill the position? You should also inquire about how and when you should you follow up.
2. Follow through. If the interviewer asked for something you didn’t have readily available during the interview, make sure you promptly follow up with the information that afternoon or the next morning.
3. Send a thank-you note. Email this note within 24 hours of the interview. Follow up with a handwritten note two business days later. Keep these notes short and to the point. If something you mentioned or indicated on your resume pleased the interviewer, you can remind him or her of that in the thank-you note.
4. Exploit what you learned. During the interview, you probably learned a few things about the challenges facing the company that you may not have known before. Exploit this information by showing how your skill sets, knowledge and experience can help solve some of the company’s problems.
5. Prepare for a follow up interview. Keep digging into the company’s background, key players, new products and research. Be ready for the follow-up interview. If you make it to the short list, you’ll meet with mangers and senior engineers who will pepper you with detailed questions. This will be your chance to shine. You should also prepare a list of detailed questions you’d like answered.
6. Influence the Influencers. Try to connect with people who know the HR manager or other engineers in the department or division. "Bend their ear" about your qualifications and eagerness to come aboard.
7. If you don’t make the cut. Send a thank-you note anyway. It’s a reminder to the HR manager that you’re still out there and eager to jump in if their first pick washes out. You’ll once again be on their short list.

For an added perspective, check out this video:

Got any thoughts on interview follow-up strategies? Include them in the comments section below.

Alex A. Kecskes has written hundreds of published articles on health/fitness, "green" issues, TV/film entertainment, restaurant reviews and many other topics. As a former Andy/Belding/One Show ad agency copywriter, he also writes web content, ads, brochures, sales letters, mailers and scripts for national B2B and B2C clients. Please see more of his blogs and view additional job postings on Nexxt.