Good job interview? Here’s how to help seal the deal!

Great interview! This is the job for you! Now what? Be strategic and thoughtful, as Art Markman suggests in his insightful article “4 Ways to Follow Up After a Job Interview,” published on November 5, 2020, in the Harvard Business Review.

Four options

Always remember that your focus must be on the person who interviewed you, not on yourself, even though you may be energized about the job. Yes, you’re energized and want to do something, anything. But play it smart. Here are four ways to do so.

Way No. 1: the thank-you note. One question that’s almost always asked of you by the interviewer: Any questions you have for me? Your answer should always include, “When can I expect to hear back?” You ask this so you get a good idea of the timing of your follow-up. Make it concrete in one aspect. Otherwise, it’s just a “thanks for your time,” which does no more than fill up the person’s inbox. You aren’t moving the needle in your direction. Here’s a good illustration:

Dear [__]

Thank you so much for your time yesterday and for giving me the chance to share my interest and qualifications for [the job]. I particularly enjoyed learning about how your company has a training program for new employees that gives them an overview of different units and career paths.