The interview is over, but your work is not.  There are two things you should do after your interview.  One is making a phone call and the other is writing a note/email.

After Your Interview Steps

The call you place will be to the recruiter who sent you on your interview.  Discuss what you liked about the opportunity, any concerns you have, the answers you gave to difficult questions, and any questions you forgot to ask.  The recruiter can often rectify mistakes that might have been made during the interview.

Now it’s time for the note. You should write or email a brief “thank-you” note to everyone with whom you interviewed.  There are two notes—one for the person who will be your immediate supervisor and the other for the additional members of the interview team.

Below are guidelines for writing a note/email to your prospective boss (after your interview)

  • The first sentence should thank them and their staff for their time and courtesy.
  • The second sentence should pay a sincere compliment, such as “I was very impressed with . . .”  Remember, you want them to like you.
  • The third sentence should communicate why you believe you’re right for the job.  You might say, “I’m confident I can meet or exceed your expectations in the position we discussed.”
  • The fourth sentence should convey your interest in the position.  The hiring manager should have tangible evidence of your interest.
  • The last sentence should ask for the job in a positive and enthusiastic way.

This note tells your boss everything they want to hear without over-committing yourself.  After all, you haven’t said that you’ll accept an offer, and no price has been established.

Okay, now for the follow-up note for the other members of the interview team:

  • The first sentence should thank them for their time and courtesy.
  • The second sentence should refer to something specific about the interview.  An example would be, “I really enjoyed our discussion of . . .”
  • The last sentence should say something like, “I really hope that we get the opportunity to work together.”  The main feature about this thank-you note is its brevity.

There’s preparation before the interview, execution during the interview, and follow-up after the interview.  You must do all three if you hope to attain your goal of receiving an offer of employment.

(For more information about successfully preparing for YOUR next interview, download a copy of Dan Simmons’s e-Book, Put Your Best You Forward: Simple Steps to a Successful Interview.)