Interviewing: What to do When the Interview is Over

By Michele Blandino

It's no secret that interviewing for a new job is a nerve-racking, stressful process. In fact, it's not unusual for people to spend days preparing for an interview.

Say "Thank You"

One of the first post-interview tasks you should complete is the thank-you note. Surprisingly, few job-seekers take advantage of this effective tool, yet those who do seem to score "extra points" with the hiring managers. Taking the time to write a thank you note shows the hiring manager that you are grateful for the time they have taken to meet with you. This simple show of appreciation and respect may often be enough to tip the scales in your favor should the decision come down to you and another candidate.

In addition to being a show of good manners, the thank you note can help you reinforce certain pieces of key information. Say, for instance, the position for which you are intervewing requires prior customer service experience. In your letter, you can describe specifically how you would apply any previous experience to the new job.

Further, when many people are being interviewed for a single position, the use of a thank you note can help distinguish you from the crowd.

The thank you note can also help you pass along that piece of key information you realized you had forgotten to mention within a minute of exiting the interview room. Of course, care should be taken with respect to the way in which you communicate this lapse; you don't want to create the impression that you are forgetful.

A thank you note can also help you demonstrate your writing skills. Again, if the choice comes down to you and another candidate, all things being equal, the hiring manager is likely to choose the candidate that can write well - particularly if the job requires a good amount of writing.

E-mail or Snail Mail?

With more and more business being conducted via the Internet and e-mail, is it acceptable to send a thank you note via e-mail? As a general rule of thumb, if the initial contact from the company was made via e-mail, most companies will not have a problem with you sending your thank you note in the same manner. If, however, the company contacted you via telephone or regular mail, then it's best to use the traditional type-written letter.

Timing is Everything

Just as important as the thank you note, is the note's timing. For the note to be as effective as possible, you should send it within 24 hours of the interview. By waiting longer, you run the risk of the interviewer forgetting who you are, or of the job being filled.

More than Just Good Manners

As you can see, sending a thank you note after a job interview is more than a demonstration of good etiquette. When used correctly, the thank you note can add an extra touch of professionalism to your presentation and can be one of your most valuable job search tools.