After the Interview

Send a thank-you letter within 24-hours

If you've been on a recent job interview, it's always a good idea to follow up with a thank you note or letter to your prospective employer. There's only one problem - what to write? You really don't know what to include besides the obvious to make your note “stand out.”

Think about your last interview with your last prospective employer. Ask yourself what type of position it was, who conducted the interview, and what kind of company/industry it was. Answering these questions will help you formulate an appropriate thank you letter tailored exactly to the prospective employer. Was there a specific topic of discussion that you hit on with this employer? If so, it might be worth mentioning in your letter.

By no means should you write a standard, cookie cutter note saying, “I appreciate your taking the time to interview with me on (such and such a date). I'm very interested in the position. Hope to hear from you.” Please avoid this type of response; it is obviously too typical and standard. You need something specific to grab the reader’s attention. For instance, if you were given a brochure, some type of pamphlet, or literature pertaining to the company and samples of what they're about, what they’ve worked on, or a publication or newsletter of theirs, by all means include what you have learned in the thank you note. Make it sound genuine and don't write verbatim off of their recent newsletter or brochure. Simply reflect on what you've taken in and comment on it in a positive way.

For stationery, make sure you use a business-like envelope and letter set. For general businesses, it's best to keep it conservative and neat. Also, make sure your note goes our immediately following the interview. Don’t hesitate. You don't want to be forgotten.

Thank you notes are not tickets to a good job, but may improve your chances. They reflect good manners and reveal your true nature. They also demonstrate reliability and responsibility. Always use good grammar and always proofread carefully. A poorly written note or letter will do more harm than good!

Follow-up

Know the interviewer’s timeline regarding the selection and decision process. If you haven’t heard from him or her by the date that was indicated, you may call to check on the status of the process. Do NOT ask how you did, about salary and benefits, or if you are being seriously considered for the job. 

Continue Other Job Search Efforts

Don’t abandon your job search just because the last job sounded promising. If it doesn’t work out, you will have lost valuable time. After all, it’s much better to have two job offers from which to choose, than to have none at all!

Don’t Burn Bridges

If you are not offered the position, send a gracious response to your turndown. You never know if the person offered the job will leave after a few weeks, or if another position will become available. Keep the door open.

The Job is Yours

You just got the phone call and the position is yours. Will you really like your new position? How will the people treat you? Can you get along with them? Before you start your new job, you’ll need to get in the right frame of mind so you can do the best job possible.

Remember, this job was something that you obviously wanted to do and were excited about. Keep those same thoughts and attitude when you actually start working. If you go in with a positive attitude, it's much more likely that your way of thinking will become your way of acting. 

Make the effort to have a good understanding of the company and its culture.

This will give you the ease you need to succeed and the confidence to interact well with your coworkers. When you start a new job, you become the new kid on the block. This can tend to make you feel left out, since your co-workers have some history together and a comfort level with each other. It’s important to show from the start that you can work well as a member of the team. After all, you plan to be there for a while and will be communicating with your coworkers on a dally basis.

The way you present yourself is important, as it will determine many of your working relationships throughout your career. Getting along with your boss and co-workers is important, and can be a prime factor in helping you succeed.
Starting a new job can be a wonderful experience. Most of us are nervous about stepping into a new environment and meeting and dealing with new people. At same time, though, that’s what makes the entire experience exciting. It's a new beginning. It pays to look at a new job as a new journey in your life, rather than a dreaded trip you have to make. Erase all those negative thoughts and fears, so you can go in with a positive attitude that will allow you to be a positive person. Let this be a new, exciting time in your life. When you stop and prepare yourself mentally for your new job, you will be much more likely to succeed.