5.1 After the Interview

You made it through the interview! But, before you end your day, follow these three valuable steps to leave a lasting impression.

• Evaluate and reflect.
  After the interview, it is a good idea to reflect on your performance and consider what questions you answered well and what questions could have used more information or preparation. A best practice is also to write down the questions that were asked so that you can prepare better for next time.
• Ask for feedback.
  If you were not the chosen candidate, that is OK. Look at your experience as a practice round, and take the opportunity to ask the employer for feedback on your interview. You may find that not all employers will provide you with this specific information or that the response you receive is vague. However, if you do receive feedback, this information could be very valuable in increasing your chances of successfully passing your next interview. Rather than asking, “why didn’t I get the job?”, which could make an interviewer feel uncomfortable, instead ask, “do you have any feedback that could help me improve my candidacy if another position were to open?” Asking for feedback that focuses on getting information that will help you be a better candidate in your next interview will help you continue to have a positive relationship with the interviewer.
• Send a thank you letter.
  After your interview, differentiate yourself by showing your appreciation and reiterate to the employer your interest in the position by sending a thank you letter in an email format to those who took the time to interview you. Your thank you letter should be sent within a 24-48 hour period of when the interview was held. If you have agreed to provide additional information or samples of your work, be sure to do this as soon after the interview as possible. Remember to always proofread your email for spelling or grammatical errors.

  Example generic thank-you  letter

  Dear Mr./Ms. Last Name, (if multiple, list all the interviewers’ names)

  Thank you for meeting with me today to discuss the [name of job and reference number] position with your company. I really appreciate the time you took to get to know me and hear about my skills, experiences, and qualifications in [area of expertise].

  After speaking with you (or the interview panel), I am confident that I would be an ideal candidate for this role, offering [desired skills the employer is seeking], which are needed to succeed with your diverse clientele. In addition to my enthusiasm and strong work ethic, I would bring the technical and analytical skills necessary to complete [specific tasks and duties of the position].

  I am very interested in working with your talented team and I look forward to hearing from you once the final decisions are made. Please feel free to contact me at any time. If you require any further information, I can be reached at (555) 555-4723.

  Thank you for your time and consideration.

  Sincerely,
  [Your Name]