You Had the Interview, Now What? 7 Tips to Help you Land the Job

We’ve all been there:  the interview went great, you bonded with the boss, and you can feel yourself nestled into a desk taking the company to new heights.  Except right now the only thing you’re nestled into is post-interview purgatory, waiting for a callback and wondering how many other candidates just leapfrogged you in the process.

“Should I call? Write? Is that good? Will I blow it?” The questions are piling up in your mind and your spouse is getting tired of the paranoia.

Playing your next card is like a game of chess, and one false move can checkmate you right out of the job.

So we went to Jeanne Anderson, a senior vice president of the red-hot DogVacay, a Santa Monica start-up that matches dog owners with prospective sitters. In her own words, here are seven insider tips for not blowing it in this dog eat dog job market:

 1. Put Substance into Your 'Thank You' Email

After an interview, it’s always wise to send a 'thank you' email, but what I think a lot of candidates forget to do is actually insert substance into their notes.   Use the opportunity to demonstrate that you actually understand our business challenges, have thought about them since we talked, and have even more ideas for how we could be successful.

Don’t just write, “Thanks so much for your time.  I really hope we get to work together!"

I appreciate candidates who send me links of websites, articles or reference material that are inspirational or relevant to our work. It tells me you’re thinking critically about what we do and that you’re fired up about working here.

2. Hand-written Notes Still Work

In a world of hundreds of emails and voice mails, I tend to actually slow down and notice a hand written card. It breaks through the digital noise of my day.

Having said that, it's important to include substance in the note itself, which is sometimes easier in an email. Email is obviously easier to respond to as well.

 

3. Never Call

Emails are fine - never a phone call.  I suggest a candidate wait a couple of weeks and, if you haven't heard anything, ask politely if there’s any other information the hiring manager needs in order to make the decision.

 

4. Silence isn't Always Deadly

We’re in start-up mode here at DogVacay, but virtually every hiring manager is busy wearing multiple hats and juggling a lot of priorities. So if we don’t get back to you quickly, it may not be negative. It may just mean we’re swamped!

 

 5. Eagerness is One Thing, Harassment is Another

Yes, I’ve had candidates email me immediately after an interview asking if I've made my hiring decision and then continue to email and call constantly for quite a while.

It's fine to be eager about the status of the hire, but don't harass me -- use the contact moment as an opportunity to continue to sell yourself.

Tell me more things you’ve learned or observed about our business.  Impress me with your continued analysis of how we could improve the business.

Then close by asking me how the hiring process is going, and whether or not I have any concerns about you as a candidate.  I’m much more likely to respond.

 

6. Spelling Counts

You’d be surprised how often candidates misspell my name in the 'thank you' note or follow-up emails.

 

 7. Swallow Your Pride

At the end of the interview, don’t be afraid to ask the hiring manager if they have any concerns about your qualifications and fit for the position.  Note what they say carefully.

Try to overcome any of their concerns right there in the interview itself, but then don’t forget to use your follow up communication to put their mind at ease about exactly those issues.  That’s the type of follow up that stands out from other candidates, and it’s the kind of follow up that turns interviews into offers.