Congratulations!
You've
just completed an interview for a position that interests
you, or perhaps you met with a networking contact who offered
some insight into your job search. Now that the interview
is over, it's time to swing into action with some memorable
followup activities. Depending on the nature of your interview,
followup can take several forms. What you do can greatly
influence whether you succeed in generating a second interview
or benefit from your networking meeting. Review the checklist
below for specific activities that may apply to you.
Thank
you note.
A thank
you note should be sent immediately following an interview
to each person with whom you met. A thank you note may be
handwritten if it is brief (the "breadandbutter"
thank yous our mothers taught us when we were children).
However, a more effective followup is a wordprocessed letter
that reinforces the points you made during the interview
and reiterates your qualifications for the position. Thank you
notes should always be personalized. If you are writing
to more than one person at a company following a group or
successive interview, do not send the same note to each;
vary your missives so that the person reading it knows you
recall and related to the specific information they provided.
Preparation
of additional information/documentation.
During
the interview, did you offer to put together a rough outline
of a marketing idea you discussed? Were you asked to forward
your college transcripts? Did you volunteer to send a great
article you'd read about manufacturing in rural areas? Be
prompt, precise, and proactive in providing additional material
that may help support your candidacy. You may cover these
materials with a brief handwritten note or your business
card with a word or two jotted on the back.
Followup
phone calls.
It is
perfectly appropriate to follow up with the interviewer
after a period of time to determine the status of the position
and your candidacy. One of your final questions at the end
of your interview might be, "When may I expect to hear
from you? May I check back with you in two weeks?"
Enter the date in your calendar and follow up as promised.
Continued
networking.
A successful
networking interview should result in additional contact
names. Follow through on all leads, and give occasional
status updates to the person who originally referred you.
In all
your followup activities, be sure to spell the person's
name correctly and use his or her correct title. If you
failed to get a business card during the interview, call
the person's office to check on the name. It's a simple
matter to say, "I'm sending a letter to Mr. Yastrzemski.
Would you verify the spelling of his name for me?"
You do not need to identify yourself in these calls, but
if you enjoyed a friendly chat with a secretary or receptionist,
it would be a good idea to call that person directly, identify
yourself, and ask for his or her help. This is another way
to keep your name and candidacy in the forefront.
Prompt,
polite followup is an indicator of good business etiquette
and will help to set you apart from candidates who do not
follow up. Be sure you do all you can and all you've promised
to cement yourself and your candidacy with potential employers.
And if you need help with letter writing or have business
etiquette questions, drop
us an e-mail! We'll be happy to help you shine even
after the interview.
