To many people, the interview is over once they leave the interview room. However, to the pros, this is the perfect opportunity to stand out from the rest. This part of the interview is called the follow-up and the highest paid sales people know that this is where everything they have been saying is driven home. In fact, the follow up etiquette can almost double one's chances of getting a job offer. There are some subtle yet highly effective follow-up techniques that one can use that increase the chances of an interview success and cover up for anything that did not go well during the interview.
Remind the interviewer who you are. This gives you TWO chances instead of one to make a good first impression.
Remember also to follow up after the interview by asking questions about the job that have been left hanging or were not clearly explained during the interview. This will also show the interview your interest in the position and in the company.
Try to get in touch with the interviewer and address anything that you think did not go as planned. This is an opportunity to clear any wrong impressions that the interviewer may have had about you during and immediately after the interview.
Four, get the business card of the one who interviewed you. You can do this by asking for it before you leave. A business card usually contains the name and title of the person, his or her street address and the email address.
Fifth, do not wait to send a thank you note for the interview. Now that you have his or her email address, send a thank you note that very evening after the interview so that when they come to work the following day, they will be greeted by your name and a thank you note from you.
Make a phone call after about 5 days and be sure to let him or her know of your continued interest in the job. This is also a good opportunity to ask if he or she needs anything or a clarification from you. If not available, leave a message so that they will know you tried to contact them.
Be sure to send a snail mail letter as soon as possible after the interview. This mail is supposed to summarize your strongest points. This letter will also tell the interviewer that you are professional and motivated.
After about a week, make another follow up, this time by either calling or emailing until you either get the job or someone else gets it.
Alert your references if you have not done so that they should expect a call from a potential employer.
Finally, don't stop job hunting and if applicable, use other job offers as leverage as you do follow ups so that you get what you want and faster.
Some companies wait to observe who makes follow ups and how often and use this as a platform to select their candidate. Thus, be sure to use these suggestions to make effective follow ups.
