Career Advice

Four Steps for Post-Interview Success

Ever walk out of a killer interview and find yourself pondering proper follow-up protocol? You’re not alone. It can be a slippery slope navigating the balance between eager interest and total stalker, and the hard truth is that there’s no perfect recipe for guaranteed success. There are, however, a few simple steps you can take to put your mind at ease and stand out as a serious candidate for any position.

Step One: Inquire About the Timeline Before You Leave

Show your enthusiasm! It’s perfectly acceptable, and probably preferable, to ask your potential employer for clarification about what their hiring process will look like and how long it might take. It will help put your mind at ease, while reinforcing the idea that you’re eager to move forward. You can say something like, “I’m curious what comes next and what the timeframe is for your decision-making process?”

"If you said you would check in via email in one week, check in via email in one week."

Step Two: Send a Thank You Note

In the 24 hours following your interview, take some time to send an individual thank you note to each person with whom you interviewed. Handwritten is ideal, but an email is, of course, better than nothing! Try to connect with and include something specific that you felt grateful for during the interview. For example, “I really appreciated you taking the time to explain more about the company culture and show me around the building. I felt so excited to learn that everyone does yoga together on Thursday afternoons.” Depending on what response you received to your timeline inquiry from Step One, include a closing line about when and how you will follow up and check in about progress.

Step Three: Follow Up!

Be true to your word. If you said you would check in via email in one week, check in via email in one week. This is your opportunity to showcase not only your continued interest in the position, but your accountability and communication skills. Try to be courteous and connective, but to the point. If you’re checking in via telephone, be sure to ask, “Do you have five minutes to touch base about the progress of your hiring process right now?” If the answer is no, it’s okay to ask, “When would be a good time to call back?” Expert Tip: Look around on the company’s website and social media accounts for something relevant to relate about. For example, “I found your latest blog post about reclaiming currency so insightful! I particularly loved the line about XYZ.”

Step Four: Keep Searching

It’s never wise to keep all your eggs in one basket, as they say, so don’t limit yourself and your career opportunities. Keep searching while waiting to hear back, because you might just come across something that’s even more meant to be than the position for which you’ve just interviewed. Plus—two offers put you in a good place to potentially negotiate salary and benefits.

Most importantly, remember not to be too hard on yourself. If one employer isn’t a perfect fit, that doesn’t mean there aren’t a million other organizations searching for exactly what you have to offer. Patience, persistence, and confidence are key!