The dos and don'ts of job interview follow-up
There’s no such thing as a perfect interview, but is it worth getting back in touch with an employer to add things you forgot?
The interview went well and you’re pretty sure the job is a great match for your skills and experience. You’re optimistic, and waiting to hear the result. Is there anything you can do to increase the chances of a job offer?
There’s no such thing as a perfect interview, and there’s always something you could have added. Candidates probably spend more time regretting what they said at interview than they did planning their answers. It’s natural that you miss something under pressure, or you think of a better answer while driving home. So should you get in back in touch with the employer to provide extra information?
This requires a judgement call on whether this is overselling or a useful way of re-establishing contact. Are you ticking an empty box, or throwing in more material in the hope that some sticks? If you really have missed something vital, get in touch – as long as it’s a piece of your experience which matters.
If you’re aiming at a target you’ve already hit, think again. Mentioning things that are only vaguely relevant sounds like unwelcome persuasion to swing the decision in your favour. If you frequently need to email after an interview to provide vital information, your interview preparation could be lacking in focus.
Be clear and concise
If you do decide to contact the interviewer afterwards, decide which key points you are going to make – have a few bullet points written out.
Think about the quality of your answers in the interview. Was there a question you could have answered better? Whether it’s in the closing moments or two days later, be clear about what to add. Bearing in mind the key requirements of the role, tell interesting stories to ensure your abilities stick in the interviewer’s memory.
Also consider how you introduce extra evidence. It should sound conversational, useful, and practical rather than exerting leverage. Any pressure you exert will usually be counter-productive or make you sound desperate, rather than well-equipped, for this job.
Giving yourself some extra edge after an interview is possible, but it takes style and skill. Too often it can sound like you’re pushing for a decision, or asking for special consideration – both are irritating for busy interviewers.
Nurture a relationship
If you’re told that a hiring decision is going to be made within 24 hours there may be no need to reinforce a good interview, but a friendly email does no harm – ideally one that throws in one small but important piece of evidence. If the process is more extended, maintain your visibility by getting in touch, even if it’s just to say thank you.
Build on the good relationship cultivated in the room. Even hardened interviewers like to think that the process has gone well, so if you want to follow up, say: “I know you’ve got more candidates to see but I just wanted to thank you for a really enjoyable meeting”. Then say why the interview was a good experience.
One bit of old-fashioned advice about nurturing relationships still works remarkably well. A handwritten card says something about the time and care you’ve put into your response. A card with an attractive image is harder to throw away than a letter – managers sometimes keep these cards on notice boards for months, which means you’re remembered far longer than the average candidate.
Another way of reconnecting is to communicate something which has nothing to do with the job. Maybe something came up during the conversation and you have some helpful information you can pass on as a follow-up. Perhaps make a phone call to say: “Thanks again for an enjoyable interview, I’m just about to email a copy of the article I mentioned.”
If you re-connect before a job offer, don’t plead or pile on new data, just add one or two highly relevant points, and otherwise say thanks for an enjoyable discussion or meeting – note the subtle avoidance of the word interview. Suggesting it was a gathering of like-minded people reinforces the idea that you’re already part of the family.