How to Prepare for an Interview

You have just completed an interview, one in which you feel you have done well in. Now is the time to take the follow up steps that will continue to set you apart from the competition. There are three action steps you need to complete after the interview. They are:

1. Send a thank you note
2. Send a follow up letter or email
3. Place a follow up phone call

A tip for job interview success is to immediately send an old fashioned thank you note. This is not an email, it is a personal hand-written note. When the hiring manager receives your note you will have accomplished a number of things:

1. You will have demonstrated that you are a gracious person, respectful of others time and attention.
2. You will now be foremost in that person’s mind. 
3. Your interest in the job will be reinforced.
4. This little kindness is so rare now, it really makes an impression. You will set yourself apart from other candidates.

I use the technique of sending thank you notes in all of my personal/business affairs. I know they work based on the positive comments I receive from those who get them. The notes open the doors when you call to schedule the next meeting.

How to write a thank you note

A thank you note should be between 3 – 5 lines, anything longer starts to become a letter. A good structure is to provide thanks for the interview, reference something positive that was discussed, and indicate a future interaction. Here is an example:

Notice that the thank you note is not a time to reinforce your skills and accomplishments. That can be done in a follow up letter or email.

Write your notes on quality cards, avoid preprinted cards as they often do not fit the situation. Write in black or blue ink, using bold strokes, to make a strong impact. Never use computer generated text. Hand address the envelopes and use real stamps.

Try this tip for job interview success and I guarantee you will improve your follow up success rate.

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