Have a Great Interview? Now What?

John Krautzel
Posted by in Career Advice


You have survived the face-to-face job interview. Now what? You probably know you should write a thank-you note but may have questions about expectations in the modern business world. Does proper etiquette call for an email or a hand-written note? Understanding how to follow up after an interview can be as important as the interview itself.

Human resource managers prefer thank-you notes written by hand as the appropriate response to in-person interviews. Write email thank-you notes only after phone interviews.

To prepare for writing the thank-you note, first gather the information and materials needed. Take the time to write a few things down immediately after the interview. Do you know the full name of each person involved in the interview process? If you can’t remember the person’s name, research Internet sources such as social media or the company website. Write down the main interests of each person. Refer to any notes you took during the interview. Jot down specific details and any questions you have about the contents of the interview. Consult this information later to help you write a great thank-you note.

Buy some blank, plain note cards in business-like white or cream with matching envelopes. Write with blue or black ink using your best handwriting. Don’t forget to check spelling and punctuation.

Keep the thank-you note simple. Mention important points as you see fit, keeping it under 200 words. Recap your suitability for the job, or connect with the interviewer. Write a separate note to each person involved in the interview process, and make each note unique by personalizing it.

When addressing the note, recheck the spelling of the addressee’s name, and then show your good manners by mailing the thank-you note within a few days of the interview.

While you wait for a response, remember to show persistence but do not annoy. Use your judgment in how assertively to follow through. Sending interview follow-up emails or a short list of testimonials a week or so after the interview sometimes works to your advantage. Calling the office three times a day works against you.

Meet with a trusted friend for an hour over coffee to discuss the interview. A friend can give you insights you overlooked or notice odd things you missed. The process of explaining the situation helps you organize your thoughts for a second interview.

The notification process may take longer than expected, resulting in frustration. To cope with the post-interview stress, keep yourself busy by continuing to search for other jobs, network with people who may have leads for you, or try out that hobby you've always wanted to do.

Prepare for a second interview. Refer back to that list you made after the initial interview. Organize your questions, and research any issues that came up. Most interviewers discuss compensation at the second interview. Don’t let this topic catch you unprepared. Successful negotiations begin with the applicant establishing a baseline for their expected salary. Know your worth, and be prepared to demonstrate your value.

After a second interview, sending a professional thank-you note creates a lasting impression.

Well-written thank-you notes are often the deciding factor between two capable candidates. Knowing appropriate procedures for post-interview thank-you notes and other interview follow-up practices gives you an edge over other candidates.

 

Photo courtesy of Naypong at FreeDigitalPhotos.net


 

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  • David R.
    David R.

    i agree nancy, i have at least 3 different resumes. Each has a certain qualifing aspect for each job. No 2 resumes should be the same. Also, this thing about being overqualified is just for me, is garbage. Its just another loop hole that companies have made just so they can say to themselves, "we like the experience this person has but it will cost too much to keep them..Now this brings to mind a phrase that is so true "you get what you paid for" for my opinion every employee from every walk of life in every job everywhere is disposible, which should not be an everyday occurance. Its the mentality of the work force.

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson

    @Sundai maybe it would best not to include your continuing education until you actually earn the degree. Are you seeking positions that require a master's degree? If not, then including it will just rule you out as being overqualified. You have to design your resume to fit the circumstances. If I had been a manager for 15 yrs but now wanted to do more worker type employment, I would not highlight my managerial experience but concentrate instead on tasks that are equivalent to what they are seeking. I hate to use the term "dumb down" but it's pretty much what is required is that you make your resume applicable to the posting and only include those items. You can tell them how ambitious you are on your cover letter, if you wish but again - if you make yourself overqualified, your resume/cover letter won't even get a first look let alone an interview. Wishing you the best.

  • SUNDAI H.
    SUNDAI H.

    I am also glad to hear that I am not the only one. I have had a couple positions I have applied for recently that I thought were perfect and I was totally qualified for! And then I find out after a bit of waiting that they hired someone else and I didn't even get an interview. Totally disappointing :-( but it makes me wonder if listing my current education of pursuing my masters degree has made them think I could be overqualified. I am one who after not being able to advance at one company because they were hiring younger candidates with a 4 yr degree, I then went back to school at the age of 34 to finish my Bachelors degree. I have recently finished my degree by the age of 38 and have decided to continue for my Masters. I try not getting too discouraged and just tell myself that listing my masters degree on my resume is letting them know how ambitious I am and that I want to continue to grow so if their company is not a place I can do that, then it truly is not for me. Am I thinking correctly or do you all think I should lower the types of jobs I'm looking for down a notch?

  • David R.
    David R.

    Also, I come to realize that in todays society there are far too many "interviews" ..............My view is make a decision people..........But in spite of all this I am still as they say "moving forward" which i hate cant stand this quote......hahah Good Luck Everyone who is looking and stay vilgilant

  • Elle T.
    Elle T.

    I am glad to know that I am not the only one. @Carrie I totally agree and have been there. I had an interview recently--phone tag with the HR recruiter for a week, then a phone interview, went in and NAILED the interview (the best one I've had I think) and then the crickets. No email, which prior to the in-person, emails were flying faster than a plane. At the end of the face-to-face, the hiring manager told me that "it might take awhile...blah, blah" and that they were impressed, and I was good with that, but I still expected some type of communication from the HR person that had been talking to me. After two weeks of nothing, I got a robot email telling me that another candidate got the job, but I was "welcome to apply for other jobs...". Seriously? And I believe the only reason that I got the robot email was because I was following up to say thank you, etc. All of this with an Associates, Bachelors, and a Masters.
    @Nancy's advice is sound, but the problem with some of that is actually "talking" to someone after the interview to find out what was "lacking" and so far, I have not been successful at doing that. I do believe that it is education in the end that holds us back and recruiters figure we're smart enough to just figure it out. I am waiting patiently for the tide to turn.

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson

    @Carrie I hear your pain. Some companies/recruiters are totally taking advantage of the current situation and we, the job seekers, are the ones who really suffer. So when you are leaving an interview, are you asking when they will make a decision? Asking when would be a good time to follow up? Are you asking questions about them? About the company? As for the salary, you would be surprised. Someone with a 4-7 yr degree most certainly would take $55,000 as that is still high for an AA/EA. Ten years ago a bachelor's degree was valuable but today it's pretty much a must for all positions even if the salary is quite low. A BA is like a HS education where a Master's is like a bachelor's degree. We hear about PhD's taking jobs at McDonalds - just to have work. Ask them if it's your education that is holding you back. Ask for straightforward reason why you are not getting the position. Yes, companies are nuts but they are holding all of the cards right now. They can afford to be choosy and to take their time because they have a huge applicant pool to choose from. Just keep on doing what you are doing. I truly believe that the tides will turn but it may take some time. Just don't give up doing what you are doing. The job will come.

  • Carrie B.
    Carrie B.

    Totally agree on companies having the upper hand to do as they wish - I'm seeking EA/AA position - you would think I am applying for the CEO job - 2 phone interviews, then meet with 3 recruiters/HR, then interview with the person you would be working for and then wait more than a month and still not hear back. I blame the recruiters - it is their responsibility to advise the status of the position and you are right hurry hurry hurry for nothing - then see the job posted on other job boards with current date - if you are reposting the job then why can't you tell me I am not a candidate being considered. Some of these EA/AA jobs are posted for more than 90 days - it's a secretarial job for pay - but its a do everything on the job description and I'm sorry - someone with a 4 to 7 years degree is not going to take an EA/AA job for $55,0000 - why is it now a days you must have a 4 year degree to be an EA/AA - these companies are nuts!! So I just keep applying - someone has to realize 20 years of experience means more than a Arts degree LOL

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson

    @David - if only.:-( Companies are doing a lot of things today that they wouldn't have even dreamed about doing ten years ago. And they are getting away with it, too, because they hold all of the cards. All we can do is keep on moving... finding that one in a million company that really cares about the person behind the resume. From your perspective, continue to do what you are doing now. Follow up with the company after the interview. Call or email them and ask about the status of the position. If you are ignored, you have to ask yourself the question "do I really want to work for a company like that?". Wish I had the answers for you but we are all in the same boat. I truly believe that the tides will turn again. In the meantime, don't give up. Keep applying and keep interviewing and the job will come.

  • David R.
    David R.

    the issue is not the person looking for a job its the companies are just given to much time and cant be decisive on who they want to hire. there needs to be in place a certain time frame of when companies have to hire people. This hurry up and wait mentality needs to stop.......they want people to put their resumes in quickly so "that you do miss the oppurtunity" but then make you wait for at least 1 month or better for any answer back........ and even then they dont at least have common knowledge to call you back if you were not hired ..........this is wrong..........Companies should be forced to make a decision within a 2 week period ......because of so many people need jobs they should help by speeding this process up.

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