There are a number of important steps to take after you go on any interview …
Send a thank you note after the interview to each person with whom you spoke, thanking them for their time and the information they provided to you. If possible, mention something of interest to you that was said during the interview. This is an opportunity to keep the relationship going and keep you in the mind of the interviewer. You can send either a handwritten note or email. In today’s world, however, a handwritten note will stand out.
Time to evaluate
Once the interview is over, debrief and evaluate how well you think you did. You can write this out, talk to a friend or discuss with a job coach. By reviewing how you did, you will be aware of what improvements to make for the next time. Here are some areas to review:
- What was your greatest challenge as you participated in the interviewing process?
- What did you do well during the interview?
- Where do you need to make improvements for the next interview?
Follow up at some point with the interviewers either through email or a phone call. Before leaving the interview it is important that you discuss with the interviewer when it would be appropriate to reconnect, that is, if you do not hear from them first. And, even if they do not offer you the position, try to get feedback from the interviewers. This will be helpful for the next set of interviews.
Interviewing is a skill
Stay confident during the interview and for the entire job search process. Like any other skill, interviewing needs lots of practice to do well. Remember each time you are asked to participate in an interview, it is an opportunity for you to practice your interviewing skills. The more interviews you have the more practice you can get. Stay positive and eventually you will succeed.
