Your interview is over, so you can sit back and relax, right? Well, sorry to say, but you couldn’t be more wrong. The time after the interview is as important as the interview itself. What can you do to boost your candidacy? We have collected 7 moves you should make to get the job.
1. Thank-you note
One of the things to do within 24 hours from the job interview is to send a thank-you note to your interviewer. It may contain personalized references to the issues discussed during the interview or a link to an article that agrees with questions raised at the meeting. Remember to get the spelling right – typos and errors are inexcusable. Also, double-check that you have correct names and titles of the people you are addressing.
2. Preparations
The first round of the interview might have gone smoothly for you, but that doesn’t mean the recruiting process is over. After the first meeting you should start preparing for the second round. Keep learning about the company, follow it on social networks. At the same time, keep up with the job hunt, just in case.
3. Reflection
The time right after the interview is perfect for a little retrospection. Gather your friends and reflect together on the strengths and weaknesses of the meeting. Write down constructive conclusions to avoid silly mistakes in the future. Don’t forget to give yourself some positive feedback as well.
4. Follow-up
Second contact with the company should be made after 7 days. Try to be calm and polite, because there is a really thin line between professionalism and desperation. Follow-up should assure the recruiter that you are perfect fit for the job. Furthermore, you can mention recent news about the company. It will show that you are still serious about the job. It is also the right time to ask when the company will make final decisions. Follow-up can be a phone call or an e-mail. Take a look at the template created by Career Nook.
5. Mistakes
Remember that mistakes happen to everyone, even professionals. It is sometimes suggested that in the follow-up you shouldn’t apologize for any inaccuracies. It just draws attention to them. They may be deal breakers in your head, but in reality, the recruiter might not have even noticed them. There is only one exception – if you used the wrong name to refer to someone important, you have to apologize as soon as possible.
6. Timing
Be punctual. Arrive on time to your interview, or even a few minutes earlier. Keep the deadlines mentioned above. If you have promised to deliver a list of references, do send it on time. Also, remember to notify people on your list in advance. It is actually a very important piece of professional protocol. These small things show that you are reliable and responsible.
7. The future
If you didn’t land the dream position, try to accept rejection with grace. You don’t know what the exact reasons were. Keep in mind that the company may need your services in the future. Remember that if you plan a career in public relations, you may meet your interviewer at professional events, so try not to burn any bridges. All in all, you will be in the same business and it’s always better to have friends instead of enemies, isn’t it? To cultivate good relations, stay in touch on professional networking sites like LinkedIn. Don’t use your recruiters’ personal accounts to friend them on Facebook, there should be clear distinction between professional and private life.
We hope that the list will help you handle modern interview etiquette. Good luck!
Monique Craig is a passionate blogger and marketing specialist who works for Oneflare, an online marketplace which connects customers with local service providers.