Post Interview Follow-Up

Post Interview Follow-Up is often overlooked. Once you've completed your interview you feel great. The interview went well and a weight is lifted off your shoulders. Now the question is: Why stop there...why leave it to chance?

Don't let your hard work get set aside by the Interviewer(s). Remember, you're not the only one interviewing. Depending on the job posting, the industry demand, how long the position has been posted, the salary or your location they may be interviewing 15 - 30 candidates.

If you're one of the first candidates you have to shine bright. So bright that you'll be like the moon in a sea of stars. Like a diamond in the rough.

The extra effort is worth it....

Hit the grocery store, the Dollar Tree, the 99 Cent Store, the internet or utilize my links below to get yourself a box of 'Thank You' cards.

The thank you's should be dignified, not flashy or flowery. Be sure to find cards that are blank inside. The outside should say only "Thank You"; the inside is for your text.

White & silver or black & white thank you's work well.

If it's an obvious design that would be used for weddings or 50th Birthday parties you may want to skip it. Use your best judgment without breaking open your piggy bank.

If you're ordering them online pick up a couple of boxes at a time. You'll save money on the shipping costs. You can always use these 'Thank You' cards at a later date. Everyone loves a nice thank you!!!!

You've said your 'goodbyes', 'pleasure to meet you', shaken their hands in parting and have cleared the front door to the outside.

Don't pass out, reach for your cell phone, jump for joy, stop to pass gas or pull up your socks. Don't get lost on the way to your car and be sure to stifle your yawn...and whatever you do, don't stop to scratch your tushy (hind-quarters).

Evaluate where you are, check your emotions and then head to your car.

(By the way, don't smoke before your interview and be sure to leave your pack in the car. Never bring them in - they'll think smoking is the real priority to you, not the job. Realistically, you can't smoke during the interview, so leave them in the car! Also, leave your house keys and other items you don't need in the car. What you leave in the car can't distract you (or them) in the interview.)

Once you're outside, stop for 5 seconds and look for your car. When you're positive you know where it is walk to it confidently. Don't look back or show any signs of negative or extreme positive emotion. Chances are they're at the front counter chatting with the receptionist or a co-worker. If you're the interviewer it's always fun to watch how people respond once they've cleared the front door.

Until you're off the parking lot and out of eyesight think of yourself as still in the interview.

When you reach your car, start it up and if possible move to a remote part of the parking lot. Get yourself as far from eyesight as possible. Avoid driving by or even looking at the front door. Focus on you, your breathing and the next step.

(For more information on having the most amazing interview you've ever had see my lens The Best Job Interview Questions!)

Once you're parked take a few minutes to relax. Reflect back on the interview. Add additional information to your notes if necessary. Get yourself in a positive and relaxed frame of mind.

Regardless of how YOU think your interview went there's no reason to panic.

I can't count how many times I've been told, "The interview didn't go that well" or "I blew it because I couldn't get through all my questions". What matters is how you handled yourself. If you carried yourself confidently and as consistently as possible through the entire interview, despite all your now festering concerns, you did better then 95% of the candidates that interviewed.

What most of these individuals couldn't believe is 3 - 4 days later the phone's ringing and they're being offered the job.

Understand that if they were hard on you, then they were also hard on everyone else.

You're going to be more equipped and better conditioned then the other candidates. Ask your Interviewer(s) the 6 questions on my other lens, do the post-interview follow up and watch for my future lenses. These lenses, your perseverance and new found confidence will help you succeed and put yourself in the job you want.

When you're relaxed find your notes, your 'Thank You' cards and your pen - you'll need them now.

Now that you have your composure, refer back to your notes. Locate the names of the interviewer(s) and determine if anyone shouldn't get a 'Thank You' card. Don't remove someone just because. If you're unsure on removing someone then don't. It's better to err on the side of favor then to leave someone out. You may still get the job, but leaving someone out could cause issues later!

Pull out your thank you cards and handwrite a quick thank you.

Thank them for their time and the opportunity to meet with them.

Here's why it's important to have your composure. You need to be able to write clearly and concisely. Your handwriting NEEDS to be neat.

If you can't write in a straight line, angle the entire card.

Don't get too wordy, keep it brief.

Be sure to sign you full name clearly. If they can't read who you are you've achieved nothing.

Handwrite the Interviewer(s) name on the front of the envelope.

After about 15 minutes, walk the 'Thank You' cards back into the front office. Ask the receptionist if they be delivered to the recipients that day. Almost always your 'Thank You' cards will be delivered to the individuals the same day.

Once you've handed over the cards and have received confirmation they'll be delivered - LEAVE. The receptionist may start contacting the individuals immediately. You want to avoid any uncomfortableness encountered by inadvertently having or forcing unexpected conversations. Be sure to walk out in the same manner as before; confident and focused.

If you interviewed with multiple people, write down their department as well as their name. E.g. Nancy Johnson, Human Resources.

(Only) If your interview finishes after the office is closed should you drop the 'Thank You' cards off the following business morning. If you drop the cards off in the morning you'll show attentiveness, sacrifice, perseverance, dedication and a hunger for this job.

If you wait until the next afternoon your interviewer(s) may/will subconsciously think you waited to drop them off until it was convenient for you (which is probably true). However, it's their perception you have to be concerned about!

When you arrive home, immediately notify your family that you've interviewed. Also, if they asked for references be sure to notify your references that you consider close friends or acquaintances.

Why should you let your family and references know....?

...because it'll be your luck that the first family member that comes home walks in the door, hears the phone ring, runs to pick up the phone.....and then forgets to write down the message.

....because it'll be your luck that they check your references 30 minutes after you walk out the door and get your friend Johnny. Johnny says "Who?...I don't know a Stephen" and then hangs up the phone.

...because it'll be your luck that your spouse picks up the phone and hears the good news first. You can get over your spouse hearing the news first. However, wouldn't you be a little disappointed if in their happiness they said "Sure, he'll take the job for $10 an hour less - he's/she's just happy to get anything right now!" (Without realizing it they just closed off any possibility of you negotiating salary and even benefits.)

...because it'll be your luck that your reference Sally will pick up the phone and without realizing it say, "Ted, oh yeah, I know him. Isn't he still working at Pet Village....wait, never mind - I was thinking of someone else. Ted got fired from JJ's House of Pancakes and he's now working for Mickey Soft...or was it Pete's Fireplace installers. I don't know...can't keep track. But, yes...he's a great person. I've known him for 10 years."

....because it'll be your luck.

Prepare your family and friends. Don't miss the message or potentially lose the job because of references or family. People make mistakes. Unless you keep them informed they can't back you up. Utilize your support system and let people know when it's time to help out!

(For more information on preparing friends and family see my new lens Pre-Interview Phone Call)

The waiting can be a tough for some individuals. You showed them your best, gave them everything you have and wowed them in ways they couldn't imagine. You have every reason to believe they'll call you and every reason to keep your chin up and to move forward.

The best advice I can give to you when you're waiting is: "You'll hear from them when they call, whenever that may be."

It's important to recognize that some companies can take up to 2 weeks or longer to complete the application / interview process. Don't call them unless they offer you the option to call. Even then, be sure that your calls are spaced no more then every 3-5 days. Before calling the first time I'd wait a full week. Give them time to do what they need to do.

Be patient and have faith in yourself and God. Continue to apply and interview for new jobs.

After your second interview think how excited you'll be when 2 offers come in at the same time? You'll have 2 career choices, salaries to negotiate, benefits to evaluate and the ability to choose the job best suited for you and your family. You may have just laughed, but you don't know what's going to happen. Think of only the positive outcome and consequently watch amazing things unfold.

A common misconception is to finish the interview, get the job and start working when they tell you.

That's the basics of it, but not the essence of it.

When you interview one or more of the individuals you met with may be your boss or at a minimum you'll have constant interaction with them. Your confidence and your glowing personality can't stop at the interview.

The entire interview process, including the Post Interview follow up, is designed to get you the job and launch your career the right way; to give you the building blocks to put together a solid foundation for your character, your skills and your reputation. Before you start your new job you've already established the ability to speak up, to talk with your boss and to interact with these individuals on a personal and professional level. Most people will work months or even years before establishing this type of repertoire.

Use that foundation to push yourself further then ever before. Have you ever been promoted internally? If you haven't that might change with the right start at the right job.

Remember that only you can interview. Your family, friends and God are there to support you. The success you have in your interview hinges on your confidence, your faith, your support system, and your skills...challenge yourself to make this new job and your job hunt the best thing that ever happened to you.

Keep watch for the remaining lenses. I continue to learn and grow daily and put this new found knowledge into what I write.

As always, if you have specific questions let me know! I'm here to help!