The interview is over and you can finally kick back and relax after all that hard work. Your job is done and now all that is left to do is wait to hear from the hiring manager. WRONG! After your interview is complete, there are some crucial actions you absolutely must complete.
A follow-up thank you letter is key after every interview, and may be the difference between you and another top candidate landing the job. Here are four items to include in your follow-up letter:
- You need to address the person by name, using “Ms.” or “Mr.” unless you have been explicitly directed otherwise.
- Express gratitude for the opportunity, and make sure to call out the name of the position you interviewed for to ensure your interviewer remembers the encounter and sees your name near the position title.
- Mention something that resonated with you from the interview and brings the interviewer back to the moment they were sitting across from you. Clarify or emphasize anything you feel needs it.
- Confirm the next step, including which action you will take or are expecting from them as decided on in the interview. This will ease your anxiety and keep the interviewer stay accountable for their timeline.
In the time following your interview, be persistent and proactive. Ensure that your thank you letter is sent electronically to your interviewer within the first 24 hours after an interview. Pursue the job opportunity until you are given a final response, according to the timeline given in the interview. For example, if your interviewer told you that you would be hearing from them by next Thursday, it is OK to check in on Friday if there is no response.
And finally, make sure to take time to debrief after the interview process. Always identify what went well and what needs improved in order to apply these learnings to your next opportunity.
