Do These Five Things After Your Next Interview

The euphoria of finishing a tough job interview may distract you from the follow-up work that should come afterward. No matter how well you interacted, never assume the position is yours or that you're safe from scrutiny once the job interview is over. If you want to land or keep a job offer, continue to reinforce your value and interest while making a positive impression at every opportunity.

1. Thank the Interviewers

Bury any misconceptions you may have about thank-you notes being outdated. Writing them only requires a few minutes of your time, and you get the chance to remind each interviewer who you are and why you are a sensible choice for the position. Thank the interviewer for the opportunity, and personalize each letter by briefly referencing a topic that interested you during the interview. Another option is to mention a qualification that makes you well-suited to handle an existing company problem or an upcoming project.

2. Learn From Your Mistakes

Don't sabotage your chances by repeating the same errors in every job interview. Ask yourself how clearly you answered the questions and whether you used compelling examples of how you challenged yourself or solved problems in past positions. Think about whether you spoke confidently or stammered throughout the conversation, and evaluate your overall level of preparedness and knowledge of the company. If difficult questions easily put you off your game, you probably need to spend more time practicing mock job interviews and thinking about how your qualifications satisfy the job requirements.

3. Keep Your References Informed

Give your reference contacts a courtesy warning before they start receiving calls from employers. Provide details about the position and the expectations of the recruiters, so your contacts can tailor their feedback to each caller. Make it as easy as possible for your references to be prepared to deliver a persuasive conversation, and make sure you thank them for offering their time.

4. Contain Your Enthusiasm

Avoid going overboard with follow-up correspondence. Felicite Moorman, CEO of Bulogics, recounted a job interview in which a promising candidate briefly mentioned her love of cats. The next day, the candidate bombarded Moorman with cat-themed faxes from "The Crazy Cat Lady," prompting Moorman to decline the candidate, instead of making an offer.

Put your mind at ease by asking the interviewer what to expect for the remainder of the hiring process, including how and when to follow up. You cannot predict every screening technique hiring managers may use, so avoid bragging or complaining about the job interview or discussing the process in detail on social media.

5. Don't Abandon the Job Search

Having a great job interview can inflate your confidence, but remember to stay vigilant in your search until you finalize the job offer. You can only judge your own interview and have little insight into the qualifications of your competition. Continue interviewing, and look to competitor companies as potential places where you can apply next. Most importantly, maintain your professionalism if you don't get the job. Give the hiring manager motivation to contact you when another position is available.

Job interviews are undeniably stressful, especially when you're confused about why you aren't receiving callbacks. Making a confident, memorable impression can help you stand out to hiring managers and shorten your next job search.

Photo courtesy of iosphere at FreeDigitalPhotos.net