4 Things To Do After You Ace A Job Interview
Simply Hired Staff
So you think you nailed it, do you? You scored a hole in one, a home run, a grand slam of an interview? Your conversations were productive, the interviewers excited and the hiring manager mentioned that you should watch for good news, all but ensuring the gig is yours. In short, you aced that job interview. Congratulations…but…now what?
Everyone dreams of having that perfect job application and interview experience that ends in a lucrative offer in a career of your dreams. The reality is, however, that even a great interview can be undone by the actions candidates take after the fact. Success doesn’t end the moment you walk out the door after a successful sit down. With that in mind, here are four things to do after you ace a job interview to ensure you capitalize on your win and end up hearing that ever so magical “you’re hired”!
Send Out Those Thank You’s
Just because the job is all but yours doesn’t mean you have a free pass to skip the typical applicant niceties. Thank you emails or letters to each and every person you met with during your interview rounds is an essential and expected part of any hiring process. This isn’t just an exercise in etiquette, either. Sending thank you emails shows attention to detail and demonstrates that you are able to not only follow up but also that you are professional and have sound communication skills. If its a close call between yourself and another candidate or if there is even one person on the interview team who had concerns, the lack of a thank you letter could tip the scales in a less than favorable direction.
Dive Into Research
So you’re confident that you’ve got the job, right? Well, why not give yourself a leg up and start researching for your new position. Bust out that job description and delve into the individual tasks you’ll be asked to perform. Check out the company’s website and locate the team or individuals you’ll be working with to gain much-needed insight. As a bonus, researching other similar positions will prepare you for any needed salary negotiations. Just because you’ll be getting your foot in the door doesn’t mean you’re guaranteed to keep it there. Do your research and make sure your second and third impressions are just as good as the first.
Don’t Forget to Follow Up
As well as you think you did during the interview process, there is always the chance that you read the room incorrectly. Maybe one or two team members had misgivings about whether you’d make a good corporate culture fit. Maybe you were the first applicant and your skills and resume are fading from memory while other candidates go through the interview process. No matter how much you think you aced that interview, follow up is critical to ensuring that success translates into a job offer. Much like sending thank you emails, a follow-up email after a week or so will demonstrate your continued enthusiasm for the position as well as keep your name fresh in the mind of the hiring manager or recruiting contact. Keep your follow up polite and offer to send any additional information that may be needed. Avoid pestering or annoying follow-up emails timed too close to interview day or sent repeatedly and you’ll look like a candidate who is ready, willing and able to get up and running in the new position.
Keep Sending Out Applications
File this last piece of advice in the “don’t count your chickens before they’re hatched” category. Regardless of how well your interview went, many things could stand in the way of you landing the job in the end. Job requirements and staffing needs frequently shift, especially in larger organizations. The position that was available could have been eliminated or filled internally even if you are the perfect candidate.
To avoid putting all of your eggs in one basket, continue to apply for other available positions while you’re waiting to hear back and following up. It certainly can’t hurt your chances if you keep looking and you never know when a bigger, better opportunity may be just around the corner. Until you’ve signed the offer letter, keep your irons in the fire to help ensure job-search success.
Article Updated from the Original on August 2nd, 2018
