by Alan Bernstein, SHRM-SCP – HR Office Savers
Last month we talked about standard interview questions you can expect during the interview. This month I want to give you some tips for how to close the interview.
Thank You Notes
A little courtesy goes a long way. Tell each interviewer “Thank You” for taking the time to meet with you. Follow up with a brief email or hand-written note. If you don’t have their address, send the note to your contact person and ask them to forward it along.
The note should be brief, no more than a few sentences to acknowledge the time and reinforce your interest. Restate the position and try to reference a specific topic of discussion that was meaningful to you both. For example:
“Thank you for taking the time to meet with me about the route sales position. I enjoyed learning more about your role and how we might be able to work together. I look forward to hearing from you regarding next steps.”
Pro-tip: Include your contact information with the note — name, phone number and email — just like your resume.
Follow Up
If you haven’t heard anything within one week after the interview, call or email your contact person. This message should be short and to the point. For example:
“I just wanted to follow up from our meeting last week. I thought the interview went well and I am very interested in moving forward. I look forward to hearing from you.”
After one more week, if you still haven’t heard from them, call or email again with a similar message. Then, move on. Employers are busy and if they have not notified you yet, no amount of nagging or follow up will get them to move any faster.
Ghosting
If you’re not interested in the job, say so. If you found another job, say so. Job search is full of movement and change. Everyone understands the competitive landscape. Better to be up front about your decision than not respond.
Pro-tip: Managers change companies all the time. Just because you were not a fit this time, doesn’t mean you won’t be a fit next time. But if you ghost, you will not be considered again for that company or the next company.
In Conclusion
Communication is the key to a successful job search. Be sure to respond quickly, professionally and proactively when you can.
Alan is the owner of HR Office Savers, Inc., an independent human resource consulting firm that supports small local businesses and individuals with their human resource needs, including staffing, compliance, and job search. Prior to launching his business, Alan held a series of Human Resource positions of increased responsibility at Harris Corporation, Honeywell International, GTSI Corp, and Verizon Wireless. Alan holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from The University of Buffalo, is Six Sigma Green Belt Certified, and is a Senior Certified Professional with the Society of Human Resource Management.