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How to Follow-Up after a Job Interview

After you complete the job interview, you will probably be so relieved that you’ll want to take a big rest break.  This certainly is a good time to pause and pat yourself on the back for a job well done.  However, don’t take too long of a breather, because there is more work to be done.  There are several action steps you should take after each interview.

These steps include:

Step One:   Send a Thank You Note
Step Two:   Review Your Interview Performance
Step Three: Harness the Power of Your References
Step Four:   Place a Follow Up Phone Call

Each of these steps is important to further promote your candidacy for the position and to build on your interview skill set for the future.  This month, I review each of these action points and the specifics of how to complete them.

This week, let’s focus on step three.

Step Three:  Harness the Power of Your References

Once it gets down to the final decision making in the interview process, there is a unique strategy you may want to take with your references.  If you really want the job and would like to go out of your way to impress the hiring manager, consider the following course of action:  Ask each of your references to personally call the decision maker.

Under this approach, rather than waiting to be called, your references proactively contact the hiring manager to share their personal recommendation of you.  This demonstrates that your supporters are true fans and believe in you enough to proactively place a phone call on your behalf.

Whether or not this approach is appropriate for the particular job you’re applying to is completely your call.  This is simply a strategy for you to consider.

Here is another tactic for your consideration that also harnesses the power of your professional network.  Review your entire list of contacts to see if there is anyone you know who may be acquainted with the hiring manager.  These are people who are not on your list of references but know the hiring manager in some capacity.  Consider asking any mutual contacts to place a call to the decision maker to put in a good word for you.

In the next edition of my blog, which will be published next Monday, I’ll share tips on step number four.

To learn more about career development tele-classes for professional women, please visit my website www.MaretMcCoy.com for updated class information!

Until next week - Here’s to your continued success,
Maret