What to Do After a Job Interview

No matter what stage you're at in your career, job hunting can often feel uncomfortable and tense. After scrolling through pages and pages of openings and engaging in preliminary conversations with recruiters and hiring managers, finally scoring the interview usually feels like reaching the top of the mountain. However, don’t forget to take the time to complete these steps after an interview to help make a lasting impression and establish a path toward reconnecting.

Write It All Down

Following the interview, gather your notes and immediately record your thoughts and feelings about the details discussed with the interviewer about the position, company, and additional general feedback. Create a list of what you liked or didn't, and consider what your deal breakers are when it comes to accepting an offer. Do you need the flexibility to work from home or paid time off? What is your ideal commute? If you have multiple job interviews lined up, rank the interviewers according to which role best fits your needs.

Send a Thank You Letter

Your interviewer is likely busy juggling screening candidates for open roles and keeping up with other daily job duties, so be sure to write a thank you letter within 24 hours after the interview to express your gratitude. In the letter, restate your interest in the position, mention something you enjoyed learning about the organization, and communicate your appreciation of the interviewer's time.

Follow Up With the Interviewer

Allow a brief grace period for the interviewer or hiring manager to mull over the decision before reaching out again. When you reconnect, try to bring up snippets of your previous conversation from the interview, provide professional references, and confirm the next steps in the hiring process. Be careful not to overdo your outreach efforts; you may jeopardize your chances of getting the job. If you're struggling to determine when's the best time to reach out, try to think back to what the interviewer originally stated about the estimated timeline you should expect to hear back from them.

Feel confident leaving any interview after gaining valuable industry knowledge from Tulane School of Professional Advancement's undergraduate and graduate programs. Our courses are designed to fit the schedules of working professionals just like you, and we offer several opportunities to fund your education. Request more information about our programs today.