What to Do After an Interview
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The job application process for candidates is a continuous bounce between submitting a resume, interviewing, and waiting for a response about the next steps toward hiring. This makes the time spent between each step an important window for self-evaluation.
If you’ve landed a job interview, there are actions you should be taking to ensure you’re making the most of your time as you wait to hear back from a decision-maker. These tasks will help you further down the line whether you get the job you interviewed for or not.
For instance, after an interview, it’s beneficial to take a moment to analyze your performance and consider how successful you were in conveying your skills and knowledge in your meeting. Along with that, following up with your interviewer allows you to gain valuable feedback that’ll validate your overview of the process or help pivot your approach with the next interview you’re sure to have.
For job seekers on the hunt still waiting for a reply after an interview, here’s where you should start.
Decompress and reflect
Waiting to hear back after an interview can be a stressful experience. You may feel unsure if you did enough to impress the interviewer and anxious about the outcome. Give yourself some peace of mind by decompressing and reflecting.
Tips for doing so include:
- Taking a break from overly checking your emails and call history to see if a hiring manager has reached out to you. Patience is part of the game.
- Allowing yourself to enjoy the moment. You completed the hard part of actually interviewing, so it’s ok to relax and let things run their course.
- Assessing your performance in the interview. This may seem like a contradictory practice after suggesting you relax, but it’s important to reflect on key points you may want to address during your next interview to drive home the fact that you’re a great fit.
- Connecting with friends or family for support. You don’t have to go through your waiting period alone, and it’s good to have a sounding board for your thoughts on the interview or even a distraction from overthinking the outcome.
- Staying productive during this waiting period. Even after stating that the hard part of interviewing is over, there’s still much to be done before you’re actually hired, or the next interview comes around. Preparation is key.
Send thank-you notes
A thank you note is a great way to show appreciation after an interview. It helps to make a lasting impression on the interviewer and can help set you apart from other applicants. Sending a thank you note is also a great way to stay in touch with the interviewer and keep them mindful of your desire to continue the process without sounding too anxious about their response.
Some crucial elements of writing an effective thank you note include making sure it’s tailored specifically for the person who interviewed you, mentioning something that was discussed during the interview, and, of course, expressing your gratitude for their time and consideration. Additionally, it’s important not to delay sending your thank you letter. Having them prepared and sent within 24 hours of the interview will ensure that your message arrives promptly, further signifying that you are serious about wanting the job.
Follow up with your references
Checking in with your references is a critical part of the interview process because it’ll give them a heads-up before anyone calls asking about your qualifications and expecting a positive impression of you. For many companies, a well-received interaction with references will help further strengthen your candidacy for the position and increase your chances of getting hired.
Getting in touch with your references after an interview isn’t to guide them about what to say, because you want the call to be authentic and unforced. However, informing them of some of the position details and your interest in the potential job will keep them from being caught off guard while allowing them time to prepare any statements that might help seal the deal.
Try to get feedback
Getting feedback from an interview helps you identify areas of improvement and further express your interest in the job available. Receiving feedback from an interviewer can also help you understand what they are looking for in a candidate and how to better prepare for future interviews.
Not sending a follow-up either to see what the next steps in the interview process are or to gain feedback is actually more common than not and is a missed opportunity. That’s because taking the initiative to reach out allows candidates to gain valuable knowledge that will help them stand out among other applicants and make a great impression on potential employers.
Keep applying and prepping for the next interview
First off, congratulations on having that job interview, but don’t pump the brakes. It’s important that you continue to search and apply for other job opportunities because the job market is constantly changing, and new opportunities are always emerging.
Applying to multiple jobs increases your chances of getting a better offer or finding a job that more closely matches your skillset. Staying up-to-date with the latest trends in the industry and keeping your resume relevant. Even after an interview, having an open mind and actively searching for jobs may lead to unexpected career opportunities that are beneficial in the long run.
Are you staying focused after an interview?
These actions after a job interview help regulate your expectations, present your best professional self, and keep you productive as you continue on your job search. And if things aren’t panning out the way you had hoped, there are experts ready to help you find your next opportunity.
Reaching out to a qualified professional like a gpac search consultant could be the difference between just landing interviews and actually receiving a job offer. Partnering with professionals who are the eyes and ears of all leading industries, provide a free confidential service, and lend guidance and support through each stage of the hiring process, what do you have to lose?
