Post-Interview Checklist

Congratulations, you successfully prepared for and completed your job interview.

While you have hit the major benchmarks of the overall job application process, your work is not done just yet. Some of the most effective interview strategies apply long after the last question is asked. You want to make sure that the great impression you made stays at the forefront of the recruiter’s mind.

It is important for job seekers to keep the momentum going by taking a few important steps after interviewing. You should have an idea of the timeframe in which you will hear back from the recruiter, and you can use this post-interview checklist as a guide while you wait.

Send a thank-you note

A well-written “thank you” note serves several purposes for interviewees. First and foremost, it expresses gratitude toward the interviewer(s) that you met with. If you had any additional questions to ask post-interview, thank-you notes also give you an opportunity to pose your query. This is also a great chance to show that you really listened during the interview by mentioning an interesting point and adding to the conversation.

To make writing thank-you letters easier, make sure to take notes during the interview. Also, get business cards especially if you sat with a panel or had multiple interviews throughout the day. You can send personalized notes to each person. Aim to send your thank-you note within 24 hours of the initial interview.

Email note

An email note is the most common way to send a thank-you due to the overall convenience. Fast and effective, the interviewee can read and respond at their leisure. It also allows you to easily attach additional documents or hyperlinks if needed.

Written note

While an email may arrive more expediently, a handwritten note may leave a longer-lasting impression. While a thank-you note is valuable no matter the delivery method, a traditional letter can help you stand out from other candidates. The content of the letter will be the same as the email, however, you will also include your contact information and the recipient’s contact information on the envelope plus the current date at the top of the letter.

To get around the delivery time, it may be possible to write the letter immediately following the interview. In that case, you can hand the enveloped and addressed letter to the receptionist to inter-office to the appropriate person. You will need to be prepared by bringing stationary to the job interview if you choose this method.

Get references lined up

The next step for hiring managers after you ace your interview will likely be to check your references. References can be a crucial part of the application process, with recruiters using reference checks as a way to gauge what kind of employee you might be if hired for the position.

After the interview, let any references that you listed know that they may receive a phone call or email from your potential employer. This way, they are less likely to dismiss the call from an unfamiliar phone number or mistake the email for spam. Give them details on the position and the name of the person that may be reaching out.

If you were asked to submit a letter of reference or chose to include one with your application packet, you will also want to touch base with your contact in case the recruiter wants to follow-up.

How to ask for a letter of recommendation

If you are wondering how to ask for a letter of recommendation, it is not as hard or intimidating as some might believe. When you start by considering who to ask, the rest of the process is simple. Choose someone that you have a professional relationship with that will speak to your strengths, knows your work habits, and will tell the potential employer what makes you a worthy candidate.

Your references should be people you trust and know will present you in the best light possible, making the actual ask the easiest step to take. If you see the person frequently, you might ask in person. Otherwise, give them a call and explain that you are in the job market and believe it would be beneficial if they wrote a recommendation letter. Give them the highlights of what you need to be covered within the letter, which gives them more direction. A description of the position along with an updated copy of your resume will ensure that the reference is well equipped to write your letter.

Just always ask for the letter at least two weeks before you need it. You want to give the reference enough time to write the recommendation without feeling rushed.

How to ask for a letter of recommendation email

Instead of asking in person or via phone call, you can request a letter of recommendation over email. This method allows you to breakdown your request in an easy to follow format while including all of the necessary details. You should include a clear and direct subject line that states your intent (letter of recommendation) and name. From there, state who you are and your relationship to the requestee. Being that you may not have as close of a relationship to this person, include details of an accomplishment or highlight during the time you worked together.

The next section of your email should be the formal request for the recommendation, along with why you chose this person in particular. Then disclose details of the position that you are applying for and why you believe you are a good fit. Tie this into how their specific input on your achievements could assist with securing the job.

Close the email by thanking them for their consideration in writing your recommendation letter. There is no way to guarantee a “yes”, but if your contact does agree to write your letter make sure to follow-up with them throughout the timeline you provided.

Prep for an offer

The best-case scenario after any job interview is impressing the company and securing a job offer. Before you get to this point, it’s beneficial to have an idea of your salary requirements and what to expect from the new company.

Research the company

Research the employer to find out how much employees typically make. Of course, you want to focus on your job title, but it can also be helpful to research other positions as well. This provides you with a floor and ceiling for the pay scale across the company. There are plenty of job websites that allow you to review companies and salaries based on real employee reviews.

How to negotiate salary

In a perfect world, an employer would automatically offer you thousands more than your target salary. Realistically, you may have to negotiate your salary to arrive at the number you believe you deserve. The best piece of job advice we can give heading into a negotiation is to have completed all of your research. Know what the average salary is for your position and how much others at the company are making in similar roles. Essentially, be a master of the job market. Then, factor in where your experience and education rank along the spectrum.

During the actual negotiation, present a firm number and be prepared to provide justification as to why you deserve it. Zero in on how this salary is appropriate for the work you will be doing at the company while using your proven results and successes in previous roles as leverage. The main focus should be on why you deserve the salary in your new role.

Connect on LinkedIn

This goes back to the importance of taking notes and gathering names throughout the application process. A few days after your interview, you should add the recruiter and/or interviewer on LinkedIn. This is an excellent way to keep your name in front of the interviewer, while also expanding your professional network.

If you want to make the request feel less abrupt, you can ask about connecting on LinkedIn at the end of your interview. It also helps to add a personalized note with your request rather than a generic follow; briefly mention a talking point or shared interest that was discussed during the interview.

Ask for feedback

Feedback can be one of the most valuable takeaways from an interview. Of course, the goal is to land the gig. But in case you don’t, there is always something to be learned. You should ask for feedback in either scenario, as the recruiter can share tips that could help you along your job search or tips that can help you better adjust in your new position.

Keep job searching

You never want to put all your eggs in one basket. Even if you have a strong feeling that you will get the job offer, it is wise to continue applying to other positions. You never know if a vacancy will unexpectedly close due to last-minute staffing changes. You also might find a position that better aligns with your professional goals. Continue your job search and explore additional opportunities that may offer you more than expected.

Author

Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.