In a perfect world, it would only take one easy job interview for the employer to be impressed enough to hire the candidate straight away. Unfortunately, this isn’t a perfect world. Even if the interview is a smashing success, the work isn’t over just yet. The candidate must take several important steps to increase the chances of getting hired, both for the present position and future positions as well.
Perform an Interview Skills Analysis
After every interview, the job seeker should take a step back and analyze his or her performance. Did the candidate ask the appropriate questions? Did he or she respond to the employer’s questions properly? Did the job seeker’s body language give the impression of a future employee who is confident, focused, capable, and ready to roll up the sleeves and get to work?
The candidate may benefit from writing down questions he or she was surprised by during the interview and coming up with a few good responses. The job seeker should also perform an assessment of answers to the employer’s questions, identify weak areas, and come up with improved answers that are more focused.
Write an Effective Thank You Note
If the job interview went well, the candidate was a perfect fit, and the employer was all smiles, it’s not difficult to believe the person has a good chance of getting the job. However, the company may still be undecided, and the job description may have changed slightly during the interviewing process as they may have realized they need additional skills for the position.
Many job seekers believe the thank you note simply says “thank you” for the interview. On the contrary, the thank you note is actually a final effort to convince the employer that he should choose the candidate based on the close fit in terms of skills, work history, and personality. The thank you note should thank the employer for his time during the interviewing process, then present a very brief recap of the candidate's core skills and how they relate to the position.
If the Employer Does Not Respond After the Interview
Just before the interview ends, the candidate should ask the employer when he or she can expect to hear word on a hiring decision. If a week goes by without a response from the company regarding the status of the position, the candidate should email the hiring manager and politely request a status update. If the candidate has accepted another job offer or has otherwise become disinterested in the position, a quick email informing the company is always appreciated.
Bottom Line on Succeeding After a Job Interview
Bottom line, just because the interview went well and the employer is pleased with the candidate does not necessarily mean the job is a guarantee. After the interview, the candidate should perform an interview skills analysis, write a thank you note with a recap of skills, and contact the employer if they fail to respond within one week. Properly executing these important post-interview activities will help to increase the chances of landing that perfect job.
See related articles, “How to Succeed in a Second Job Interview,” “10 Steps to a Successful Job Interview,” and “What Employers Look For in a Job Candidate.”
Daniel Gansle - Daniel J. Gansle is the author of 2012: Day of Reckoning, graduate of Anthropological Studies and expert in ancient Mayan culture.
