Your Interview Goes Beyond Just the Face-to-Face

Whew! You finished the interview you have been sweating for, and now all there is to do is wait to see if you got the job. Hate to break it to you but, if after your interview all you’re doing is waiting, you are lowering your chances of getting that job. If you really want the job, be proactive and show the hiring team that you are invested in the company and in this position. If you do nothing you are not giving the interviewers anything to remember you by and allowing yourself to be overshadowed by a candidate who does take these steps. While these steps may seem like basic courtesy, in a world where courtesy is a lost art, these actions speak volumes. 


Thank the Front Desk Receptionist and Secretary by Name
When you first arrived for the interview, you were likely greeted by a front desk receptionist or secretary who told you to have a seat while he/she calls the hiring manager. Little did you know that while this may have seemed like an innocent interaction, this was also part of the interview. Oftentimes, hiring managers are utilizing their front desk staff to screen employees outside of the interview to assess how candidates interact with people without their “interview face.” Be sure to take note of their name and make small talk with them if it seems appropriate. After the interview is over, make it a point to thank them by name on your way out and finish any conversation that may have been cut short when you were called in.

Provide a Follow-up
It’s essential to follow-up with your hiring manager and other interviewers after the interview. In this follow-up, first thank your interviewer for taking the time to meet with you and to provide details on the position and company. Summarize a few of the responsibilities/requirements that the interviewer mentioned and list how your experience meets those areas. End your letter by expressing your continued interest in joining their team. If appropriate, include another subject that was talked about during the interview to keep the conversation going. This means you have to keep track of what was discussed during each interview so you can provide supplemental information in your follow-up. This could include anything from asking again for the restaurant recommendations your interviewer gave you, providing specifics on your portfolio, or sending collateral of a certain project you worked on which the interviewer may have asked for. Email follow-up after the interview should be sent that same day or the day after. Keep in mind that the interviewer might be looking at this part of the process as a continuity of the interview as this is a reflection of your follow-up skills after client meetings.

Send a Hand-Written Thank You Card
When was the last time you received a hand-written note from a friend or colleague? Probably a long time ago. The same goes for your interviewer. Sending a hand-written note to their office is a surefire way to stand out among other candidates. Since it takes 2-3 days for snail mail to get there, this should be in addition to your timely follow-up “thank you” email. This wholesome act shows that you are genuinely invested in the company and want the position. The best part, because of snail mail, this letter will get to them a few days after the interview which puts you top of mind again. It will put a smile on the interview’s face and bring good feelings when you are brought up again for consideration.

 Call Your Recruiter
If you were approached about this position from an outside recruiter be sure to call them the same day after your interview. They are there to help you dissect how your interview went and remind you of the steps you should be taking to make yourself stand out. Additionally, your recruiter is likely to also call the client later the next day and can relay any information you may have forgotten to mention, address any concerns you had, and continue to promote you while you are not there.

Keep in Contact
Whether you get the job or not keep in contact with every person who was involved in your interview process. After you get the results, send them an additional thank you and ask to keep in contact. If they liked you, they will keep you informed of other positions that open up within the company and can even serve as a mentor from within the industry. It would behoove you to build a relationship with them and keep them updated on what you are doing. Used correctly, an interview can be used as the most powerful form of networking that can open doors you may not have expected.
While the interview is important, oftentimes it is what you do after the interview that has a bigger impact on whether you get the job or not. Be sure to continue to stand out before, during, and after the interview process by staying on their mind with these tips. None of these steps take too much time out of your day, but they make all the difference in how you are remembered.

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About DCAProSearch
DCAProSearch specializes in recruiting premium multicultural and general market professionals in advertising and marketing who excel in the contemporary reflection of today's diverse cultural and digital landscape. At DCAProSearch we strive to give our clients the Distinctive Client Advantage, meaning we only present premium candidates that we are certain will strengthen your power teams. Culture Marketing is leading the way, and DCAProSearch understands that these changes require a unique talent. This is why our executive recruiters are dedicated to finding professionals with experience and passion in multicultural advertising and diversity marketing to target your specific culture market needs.