Interviews can be stressful, and our tendency is to distance ourselves from stress. But you need to make sure that you remain calm under pressure during your interview. There are preparations that should be done after the interview that begin before the interview is even over.
Be sure to get the name and title of the person or people interviewing you. Asking for a business card is the simplest way. You can also write down their info, just be careful and make sure that their information is spelled correctly.
Prior to the conclusion of the interview, ask the interviewer specifically when you should expect to be contacted, how they will contact you, and who will be contacting you. You should also ask if there are any actions that you can take in the meantime that would be helpful.
Also be sure that you offer the interviewer an appropriate handshake, and look them in the eye as you thank them for taking the time to meet with you. If there is a receptionist or staff in a lobby, be sure to thank them too, they could be your future co-workers.
After the interview is over, don’t just sit by your phone, hoping that the employer is going to call. You should send the interviewer a thank you note within 24 hours of the interview. Traditionally, these notes were always handwritten notes delivered through the mail. But many people have moved to emailing notes to their interviewer. Your thank you should be brief, show enthusiasm for the position and the company, and should express why you are the best candidate for the job.
Employment seekers should also set aside some time after an interview to reflect on the interaction, and take note of what went well and what they should work on for future interviews.
If more than a week has gone by, a follow-up phone call should be made. During the call, ask if a decision has been made for the position that you interviewed for. If the decision has not yet been made, ask specifically if you are still under consideration, and offer to answer any further questions they might have about your qualifications. You may want to offer to come in for a second interview. Let them know that you want the job!
If the position has been filled, calmly and politely try to find out why you were not their choice. This could help you in future interviews. You can even ask the interviewer if they know of anyone else within the company or another organization that is looking to hire someone with your skillset and qualifications.
If you are offered the job, be sure to thank the interviewer again and ask for any information that hasn’t already been solidified before accepting. For example, make sure that the pay, schedule and benefits are all known and agreed upon. Most likely, your mind is already made up about accepting the position, but if you need a day or two to consider the position, especially if you need to discuss the position with a spouse, be sure to tell them so.