You have applied for a job, got past the screening stage and are about to complete your initial interview. What should you do now to maximise your chance of success?
Set the Tone
As your interview is winding up it is time to set the tone for the next steps in the process. Outline again your genuine interest in the position and confirm that you look forward to hearing from the employer/recruiter. Don’t be afraid to ask about the rest of the process, i.e. ‘Is there a date that the client is expecting to reach their decision?’ or ‘Is there a second interview lined up?’ and even ‘Will you be putting me forward for a second interview?’ These actions show you are organised and that you are committed to taking the next step.
Thank You
In person – This is something that should never be overlooked. The interviewer has chosen to interview you from many applications. Make sure to thank them for their time as you leave the interview and give them eye contact when you do. If you are meeting with a panel or more than one person, make a conscious effort to remember the names of the individuals involved so that you can personally thank each of them.
Email – Send a follow up email thanking the interviewer for their time. Let them know you would be pleased to provide any further information they require and would appreciate any feedback they had. Let them know they can contact you at any time.
References
My personal recommendation is to touch base with your referees prior to the interview(s) taking place. However, if this isn’t possible, make sure you do the moment you finish the interview. Provide the referee as much information as you can about the organisation and the role you are applying for. Your referees will appreciate as much notice as possible and will be better prepared to provide a quality reference. Once they have provided a reference, make sure to thank them for their assistance.
Phone Calls
Once you have established with the recruiter/employer their timeframe to review applications, you can then plan your follow up call. There are a number of considerations when making a follow up call:
Time of day
Timeframes such as first thing in the morning, lunchtime or the end of the day could prove to be tricky time periods to contact the interviewer.
Frequency
If the person doing the recruiting is in a meeting, leave a full message with your details but don’t keep calling back every thirty minutes. Show patience, don’t be pushy.
Professionalism
When I am taking calls for Consultants in our office, I find that the information passed on to me by candidates can be very vague. If you conduct a follow up call to the organisation you applied with and say to the receptionist, ‘Tell them it’s Jane calling,’ what would you think? Chances are the interviewer may have spoken to five different Jane’s that day. Provide your full name, what position you interviewed for and when you interviewed was. This will save a lot of back and forth questions and will immediately remind the employer of who you are so that they can provide you with feedback.
Extra Touches
While it may seem like a dying art, there is nothing wrong with sending through a hand written letter for a personal touch. If you share a common interest with your interviewer don’t hesitate to mention it. Finding any way to stand out from the crowd is advantageous. Even if you do not proceed further for the role you applied for, the employer may consider you for other opportunities if you are memorable.
What do you consider to be good follow up etiquette? Have you tried any techniques as a candidate that put you forward for a role?
