After the Interview
The Two Most Important Post-Interview Activities
- Call the Interviewer - The first activity is to call the interviewer to thank them for their time. If possible, you may want to add additional information which was not discussed in the interview. This phone call should ideally take place the same day. If you are unable to reach the interviewer directly, leave a voicemail message.
- Thank-You Note - The second activity is to immediately write the interviewer a short note, thanking them for their time and reemphasizing your interest in the position. Next, do your best to get it to them as quickly as possible. E-mail it, fax it, hand deliver it, messenger it, use overnight mail, whatever. But be sure they have it before the end of the following day. Ideally, you want to get it in their hands by the end of the day of the interview or first thing the following morning. Why? Because the quicker your letter arrives, the greater the likelihood of affecting a positive impact.
Doesn't everyone follow up like this? Hardly. Virtually no one calls after an interview and few take the time to write a thank you letter. Those who do write letters generally send them via the postal service, which can arrive as much as a full week after the interview. The simple gestures of a phone call and thank you letter can make a big difference in separating you from your competition.
What to Do if the Offer Does Not Come?
All is not lost! Before you start papering your walls with rejection letters, consider the following "resurrection" ideas:
- The Rejection Reversal Technique
Upon receipt of a rejection letter, immediately call the person who wrote the letter to request feedback. "What was I lacking in meeting your needs?" Then listen closely. If you are provided with a valid area of lacking, take note of it and politely thank the manager for taking time to speak with you. However, if the answer is based on an incorrect assumption, you may have an opportunity to correct the error.
- The Squeaky Wheel
Technique
One of the more difficult situations in a job search is attempting to move the process forward with a less-than-enthusiastic employer. You can get caught in the waiting game, hoping for the phone to ring. Your job search is your number one priority, but it may be far down the list for the employer. Most job seekers simply give up. Do not include yourself among the quitters. Many jobs have been found through simple diligence and consistent follow-up. If you have an employer who is unwilling or unable to move forward, continue to make regular contact with them. You may find yourself on a weekly schedule of calling only to hear a "nothing has changed" response. If their interest in you has not changed, but has simply stalled, continue your efforts to move the process forward. It may be at the lowest point that the wheel begins to turn.
