You may have finished your interview, but don’t think that the ball is no longer in your court. It is crucial to follow through once you have stepped out of the office to make sure you leave a positive impression. Here are three essential steps to take to ensure success after your interview.

SAY THANK YOU

Sending a thoughtful, but brief thank-you note shows your interviewer how much you appreciated their time. Showing your appreciation for their willingness to talk with you is a crucial element of the interview process. In our modern age of digital communication, a handwritten note carries some extra weight.

If you are unable to send a note, an email is effective as well. Keep it brief and to the point. Don’t come across as desperate or demanding. Simply thank them for their time, reiterate your interest in the position and perhaps even reflect on a topic you connected over in conversation. The email serves as a nice reminder of who you are and what you talked about in the interview that will help you stand out a little from the prospective crowd of candidates.

If you are working with a staffing agency, this step is often best done through the intermediary of your recruiter. Send them a brief paragraph saying thanks and allow your recruiter to include it as part of their outreach to the client.

FOLLOW UP

If you discussed a timeline with the hiring manager during the interview, follow up on the status of your application at the appropriate time. While you don’t want to be annoying, it makes sense to check on the decision to show you are still very much invested in the opportunity. Many employers get overloaded when trying to balance project work and hiring responsibilities so it’s perfectly reasonable to email or even call to check on the process after a week or two.

Again, if you are working with a staffing agency, this follow up is best done through the intermediary of your recruiter. It might even seem outright inappropriate to contact the client directly, so be sure to check with your organization before reaching out.

ASK QUESTIONS AND PROVIDE SAMPLES

Sometimes during an interview, a client will request some additional samples, or you may have some questions after the interview has taken place. Don’t be afraid to continue the conversation. In many cases, the hiring process can go on for several interviews and several reviews of your qualifications and work product. Don’t forget to provide your interviewer with the materials they need to make a good decision. And as always, work through your recruiter as necessary.

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR YOUR NEXT OPPORTUNITY?

For more tips on how to land a great job with expert interview skills and a supportive recruiter, search for a job here or contact the team at USPRO today.