After the Interview

Heed this excellent advice from David Perry, one of the co-authors of the creative Guerilla Marketing for Job Hunters 3.0. When you really like a position, follow up with a last, brief marketing contact. Craft an e-mail saying that, after considering everything that was discussed in the interview, here is what you believe you bring to this relationship, how you see yourself fitting into the organization, and the immediate value you can deliver. Send this follow-up within 48 hours after your interview. This last, carefully crafted contact will convey a positive impression, and when they are considering your candidacy, every positive attribute can only help. Because speed is essential to this follow-up it is fine to send this letter via e-mail to each person with whom you interviewed. This is one reason why I urge everyone to collect the business card of each interviewer, and to verify it lists that person's correct e-mail address.

Send this "thank you" email to every person with whom you interviewed.

And what if you now think this is probably not the right position for you? Or you think the interview did not go well? Follow-up with a slight difference.

If you decide this is just not the right position or company for you even if they should make you an offer, send a follow-up e-mail to the both the HR person and the hiring manager (if you spoke to a hiring manager). Tell them very briefly that you have carefully considered everything you learned in the interview and you have concluded the position is probably not a good match for you. Thank them for their time and consideration, and don't say anything more. They will now not have to spend the effort of putting together an offer, or Letter of Decline. A professional and courteous communication like this will be remembered and appreciated.

If you think the interview did not go well, avoid at all cost sending an email follow-up with a lengthy explanation of what you really were trying to say, or apologizing for something you did say. First, the interview may not have gone that badly from their perspective. Second, too much correction will sound like whining. Third, let them show you their perspective by waiting to see if they make an offer.

In all of these scenarios you simply must follow-up with a note of appreciation. And the most important motivation I can instill in you is that you may be the only person out of a hundred who does this. Be courteous. Be professional. Be remembered.