Following
Up After An Interview
Volume
I, Issue II
After
interviewing for what could be your dream job, you are excited
about the position and interested in pursuing the opportunity.
Your next step is to follow up – a step that can be
just as important as the actual interview. Since you may be
one of several candidates for the position, your goal is to
create top-of-mind awareness throughout the interviewing process.
Employers
want to be thanked for their time. After an interview, write
the hiring manager a letter or email expressing your appreciation
for the meeting and your interest in the position. If more
than one person interviewed you, send a personalized letter
to each individual highlighting the key points of your conversation.
In many cases, the most positive influence a candidate can
have on a hiring decision is to go after the opportunity aggressively
and express sincere interest.
In addition
to reinforcing the fact that you want to pursue the job, thank-you
letters allow you to address the interviewer’s concerns
and “sell” yourself. Reiterate your accomplishments,
why you want the job, what your qualifications are (based
upon the criteria articulated by the client and your Sanford
Rose Associates consultant), and how you can make a difference
in the company. Include any additional information that you
failed to discuss during the face-to-face meeting. Remember
this is a simple thank-you letter and should not be a long-winded
review of your entire business career.
Keep
in mind that all correspondence creates a written record.
Make sure you check for spelling and grammatical errors before
sending it to the employer. Asking your SRA consultant to
review the correspondence will minimize the possibility of
errors.
If you
wish instead to telephone the hiring manager, prepare an outline
to maintain focus prior to making the call. Although a personal
conversation may be the ultimate goal, a voice message can
be just as effective. If you leave a voice message, make sure
you speak clearly, leave a brief message and indicate your
interest in pursing the opportunity. Be careful: a rambling
message will do more harm than good.
If you
do not want the job, write a gracious letter removing yourself
from consideration. Although this particular position was
not of interest to you, do not burn bridges. You never know
what other opportunities may be available within the same
organization in the future.
Once
your thank-you letter is sent, it becomes a waiting game.
Your Sanford Rose Associates consultant will keep you informed
of the employer’s progress in the hiring process. Although
companies should be prompt, especially in today’s market,
hiring decisions compete with other priorities – you
must be patient.
Use any
waiting period to your advantage. Find out more about the
employer, the industry and the geographic area. Be ready,
just in case the employer has a couple of follow-up questions.
Remember
that the follow-through is just as important as the main point
of contact – as in golf.
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