The job-seeking process can be a nerve-wracking time for anyone. These nerves can be further exacerbated if you’ve had a recent interview with the company of your dreams and have yet to hear back from them. Stay positive; it is important to remember that the process of job seeking doesn’t necessarily end at the interview. When looking for a new job opportunity, you should keep in mind that each step of the recruitment process is a time to be proactive and maintain interaction with the employer. Remember that companies want to hire an individual who has an ongoing interest in the position, and is both passionate and forthcoming in their communication. Following up on a job interview can have extremely advantageous results. In fact, some companies have actually cited the candidate’s incentive to send them a follow-up as being the reason that they made the decision to hire that candidate. In this article we will look at several ways you can break the ice after an interview to make sure that you utilise every chance you can get to secure your dream job.
Send a thank-you letter: It is good practice to follow up every job interview with a thank-you letter or an email to the company. It shows that you are polite, professional and punctual. We recommend sending a letter of thanks immediately after the interview if you really want to “wow” your prospective employers. You should emphasise how appreciative you are that they took the time to give you an interview; after all, they chose you to interview out of the numerous CVs they received. This is also a good opportunity to reinforce your interest in the position, to express your enthusiasm about the company and to emphasise how well you believe you would fit into the company’s dynamics.
Send a short email to check in: It is best to ask the interviewer at the end of the interview when you should expect to hear back from the company. If the deadline passes and you still haven’t received an update in regards to the position, then it is reasonable to wait another four or so days before sending a quick email to check on the status of the role. Keep this email short, courteous and friendly. You could ask if they need any more information from you or mention any other details that you may have forgotten in the interviewing process that you think could be valuable. Email is preferable to phone; it is less intrusive and gives the company time for more consideration. The hiring process often takes a lot longer than expected and can be a tense time for the recruiter. Reaffirming your interest in a position can reassure a recruiter about your level of commitment and desire for the job.
Send an email about a point of interest: If a topic of mutual interest came up in the interview which you made a connection about, then it can be a good idea to send a follow-up email referring to it. Ideally, this topic would be related to the industry you are hoping to gain employment in, so it doesn’t hurt to brush up on a few key areas which relate to your field before the interview. You could send a recent news article or a link to an online presence or a study of a positive business solution which you think could be beneficial if implemented within the company. The idea behind this is to keep your presence at the top of the interviewer’s mind. It is also a way of building rapport with the company and shows that you are interested in your field outside your working hours. This demonstration of your initiative could be the factor that gives you the edge over any other hopeful candidates.
Send an email informing of another offer of employment: If another interview results in you successfully being offered a position, but you don’t want to give up hope for your dream job, then it is sensible to send an email to inform the desired company of the offer you have received. This not only keeps the company updated, but also allows recruiters to see the value you hold as a candidate. If they realise that they do not want to lose you, it can push the process along and can motivate them to make a decision in your favour. Conversely, if you are unsuccessful, it can allow you to wholeheartedly accept the alternative opportunity you have been offered and give it your full focus.
Connect on LinkedIn: Never underestimate the power of networking. It makes good business sense to make a LinkedIn connection with the company and interviewer after your interview. If you want to show extra professionalism, you could inform them via email first that you would like to connect. Ensure that your LinkedIn profile is up to date, you have fully utilised all the features it has to offer and it represents you at your best. Always remember that whilst a position may not be available to you now, maintaining a professional long-term connection with the company could open doors for you in the future.
You should bear in mind that as a Legal Secretary, any correspondence you send to a prospective employer is the perfect opportunity to showcase your stellar word-production skills. Read carefully through any correspondence you send, check for correct spelling and grammar, and edit until you are sure that you are sending a meticulously well-thought-out document. Taking that little bit of extra time and effort to draft a great email could make the difference between you landing that dream job or being passed over for someone else.