Just because you leave the interview does not mean the process is finished! It's important to keep yourself top-of-mind even after the interview as recruiters and hiring managers make their hiring decisions.
After interviews, consider doing the following.
- Write a thank you note in appreciation of the interviewers’ time. While handwritten notes tend to be more memorable, email thank-yous may also be appropriate. Use what you know about the company and the interviewer to determine which method would be ideal.
- Follow up after about a week, unless other instructions were given. Don’t be annoying, but be persistent in checking the status of the process.
- Create a list of things you did well and things you can improve for future interviews. This is an important step because if you don’t get the job, it will help you learn from what mistakes you may have made. If you’ve had previous or practice interviews, compare what you did well and what you should work on in future practice and real-life interviews.
- Regardless of whether you get the job or not, send a second thank you note or email. If you get the job, thank them for selecting you and express your excitement about starting the position. If you didn’t get the job, send a thank you note for their time and consideration anyway. This will help you stay in the interviewer’s mind in case the chosen interviewee falls through or in case another fitting position opens up.
Getting hired is not necessarily the end of the job process. In addition to performing the job to your best abilities, you should also stay on your toes even if you’re not actively searching for a job.
Update your resume frequently with new experiences, network, stay informed and find and/or become a mentor. This will take a lot of pressure off you if you should lose your job, and it may even help you realize greater experiences for you in the future.