The interview is really the beginning of your job process – as far as the company is concerned. Your job is to get to the second or third interview and ultimately get an offer. So what should you do after the interview?
- Reflect on the interview and make some notes about what you learned. What did you learn about the company? About the interviewer? Is there anything you can connect with on any level with the person who interviewed you? What questions could you have answered better? Are there any accomplishments you could have talked about? When are they going to make their decision?
- Plan your follow up letter. To whom? If you were interviewed by more than one person, you need to write to each person individually. Is this going to be an email a snail mail or a phone call? What objections do you need to overcome? What are their key challenges that you want to address? Did they say anything about your competition that is a cause for concern? Is there anything else you can add value to?
- Follow up with a phone call. Wait a few days to hear from them. If you don’t hear back within two days, call the hiring manager. Say you are extremely interested in the position and are wondering where they are in the decision process.
- Unsolicited proposal – If their objections seem too strong, or you are lacking in what they perceive as a key skill area, and you know you can do the job, then you may need to write a specific proposal to help solve their problem. Send this to the hiring manager.
- Plan to stay in touch. Once you have written and sent off your letter or email, plan to stay in touch every 4 to 6 weeks. Mention an article you read, a webinar you attended, or a seminar you participate in that is relevant to the company, the individual or the challenge they face.