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So you did see that recruitment ad looking for someone like you. Were you pleasantly surprised at how closely the desired profile and your own strengths seemed to match?  So finally, after all the searching and waiting, some organization abroad needed your skills and called you for that first interview. But you have not got the job yet; things are not so simple and there is no time for self-satisfaction.  Now grab the opportunity and convert your interview into being recruited because you are indeed right for the job and deserve the break.

You now need to apply effective follow-through to nudge the employer’s decision making process with subtle actions that will positively influence the outcome of the interview.

Launch the suggested follow-ups to get that job:

Display keenness to join.

Leave the interview with a positive announcement that you really hope to be selected because you confidently believe you can make a good contribution to the role. Also enquire about when they hope to fill the position, and request permission to follow up by phone or email after some time (maximum of one week).  

Show the confidence of an expert, not a job-seeker.

You sold yourself at the interview from a position of knowing your job. Now, continue further intelligent enquiry about the organization’s set up and problems so as to be able to offer some suggestions for improvements based on your own expertise. Continue to research the organization with cues from the interviewer’s feedback and use it as your reason for continuing follow-up contact.  

Get names and contact information.

If interviewed by a number of people or a group, note all names, email addresses, phone numbers and other relevant information relating to your interviewers if appropriate and if you get the chance to do so.  

Thank the recruiters and execute any promises you made.

Send in your appropriately personalized thank-you letter promptly after the interview, making specific reference to each recruiter’s questions (hence your notes). Never delay in submitting any further documents that you may have promised, promptly. 

The post-interview goodbye.

When all the Q&A are over and done with and the recruiters are gathering their papers, thank them all once again for their time and make this your last opportunity for a very briefly recap of your match with the job profile. Say something like “if I may have another moment just so that you remember me, I would like to mention that my key competencies for the job are 1, 2, 3. I hope that I have convinced you that I match well with your requirements, and look forward to meeting you again soon.”  

Assess your interview performance.

After the interview, revise your notes on the questions asked by the recruiters and your corresponding responses. This will be your important reference for future follow-up interviews with that employer.

Don’t just wait.

Waiting in hope is the commonest mistake. Don’t let the iron grow cold. Don’t let anxieties and frustration build up after completing the interview. Instead, you should develop a plan on how to ‘push in’, even before the interview takes place. And make sure you follow up after the interview.

Make the job offer mature.

Delve deeper into the employer’s requirements and problems at subsequent interviews by asking questions. The more you make the employer reveal, the more trust you build, and become more acceptable for consideration as the right candidate. Use such follow-up contact to build your own credibility.

Create scope for further meetings at every contact.

After every meeting or phone contact, leave something to discuss further the next time. Don’t accept their ‘we’ll get back to you’; rather take a more involved stance and have something to ‘get back to them’ with.

Observe behavior norms.

Observe best professional etiquette and never get too familiar with the recruiters. Be consistent, not persistent in your regular follow-ups with the recruiters. Don’t make them feel you’re wasting their time or are too “pushy”.

Use contacts now.

Implore your well-wishers who may have influence in the recruiting organization to speak on your behalf. Be resourceful and hunt for some well-known professionals whose recommendations could help you.

Prepare for further interviews.

Keep learning more about the company and build on the information already provided to you. Don’t let up on researching the organization. Think up more questions you'd like answered to suggest that you are very focused on the company’s affairs.

Believe in ‘may the better candidate win’. If even after doing all there is possible, no offer comes, you must accept the decision of the employer, no matter how ideally suited you may have been. This is critical so as not to damage your self-esteem and confidence and also to understand what went wrong, for the next time. Be original and different from the other rejected applicants and leave a link behind by mentioning that you would continue to remain keen to join if any available jobs arise in future, or the selected candidates does not work out. This may open other opportunities within that company and prompt them to call you back.