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What to do Following an Interview – At Any Stage

You just finished that interview you had been planning for. After all the preparation put into the phone, virtual, or in-person interview, you can now breathe, but not for too long. You should take specific steps following the interview process because what you do can increase your chances of securing the position or enhancing your performance in future interviews.

Evaluate the Interview

Soon after the interview, find a quiet place and immediately get your thoughts out on paper. Answer the following questions honestly.

  • Were you on time?
  • How well did you introduce yourself?
  • Was your approach clear, calm, and confident?
  • Did your body language match what you were trying to communicate?
  • Were you successful in selling yourself?
  • How well did you answer the questions asked?
  • Did you ask engaging questions about the position?
  • How did you feel following the interview?

After airing out your initial responses, sleep on it and look at your evaluation with a fresh set of eyes the following day or later that week. Did you work with a recruiter? Contact them for feedback from the employer.

 

Whatever you learn throughout the evaluation process, keep that in mind, and apply it when that next interview comes along.

 

Make Notes

 

It’s not engaging to sit and write a novel of notes during the actual interview, save that for afterward. Once you walk out of the interview, write down notes about the position, company, and some things that stood out during the interview, including any important details. Make sure this includes the interviewer’s information.

 

Send a Thank You

Whether via email, phone call, or snail mail, don’t forget to say thank you for the opportunity to interview and thank you to the interviewer for taking the time to connect with you. Saying thank you isn’t just the proper thing to do following an interview, it speaks highly to your character and helps keep your name at the forefront of the interviewer’s mind.

When you reach out, also include your interest in the position, but keep it short. The interviewer has their own responsibilities, so don’t provide a thank you that takes effort for them to receive.

Consider What’s Next

After an interview, the interviewee should have a more complete picture of how they feel about the position. Is it a role you are prepared to turn down? Just because you get offered the job doesn’t mean you need to take it.

Saying yes to a new job isn’t just about the responsibilities of the role itself, you need to consider many other aspects. These include the salary, the company culture, the benefits associated with the position, and how taking the job will affect your career path.

Continue the job search regardless of if you plan to say yes to the role or not. Until you sign on the dotted line, there is no guarantee. You never know who might see your resume, so continue to put your name out there. Job searching also keeps you busy while you wait to hear back from your ideal future employer.

Commit to Follow Up

 

What happens if you don’t hear back after an interview? It’s good to be patient yet persistent in getting the answers you want. If the time you were supposed to hear back by has passed, reach out to the interviewee and politely ask when you should expect to hear from them. But remember, don’t become a nag, just be politely persistent.

What other steps do you take following an interview? Join the conversation on LinkedIn and check out Overcoming Job Search Fatigue in 7 Steps.

 

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