After the interview, you should immediately write down what happened. This includes the interviewer’s name, title, areas of interest, key questions and concerns. Update your portfolio of research information with the newly acquired information. This will help to better prepare you for the next line of interviews as well as aid you in preparing a good “Thank You” letter. If they do not get back with you as expected, feel free to call the interviewer in order to inquire about the next step of the interviewing process. There is nothing wrong with communicating a proactive, positive approach for securing the job you want.
The “Thank You” letter should be written to each person you meet during an interview. Write a “Thank You” letter that communicates appreciation for their time and interest in you. This is an invaluable reflection of your good character, and provides you an opportunity to express the things you wish you had said during your meeting. Offer new information such as copies of articles/references, news clippings, or work samples that substantiates your claims.
Here is your opportunity to send articles and documents of interest to employers. It also gives you an opportunity to mention those things that you forgot during the interview. However, make sure to keep it simple. Stress three or four reasons why you are the right person for the position.
End the letter by confirming your next appointment. This letter should be similar to your cover letter in style, but you should now clearly state how your top qualifications match their specific requirements. Your follow up letter is almost always read from the beginning to the end. Therefore, it needs not to be brief. Have someone else edit the final version for you.
Example:
“Thank you for your time last Tuesday. It was a pleasure meeting you and learning about your department’s goal to bid $100 million in building projects over the next twelve months. It came as a surprise that you were the builders on the Tampa Commerce Building. I understood that Jones Construction Co. did all the work for Powell Enterprises. You should be proud of securing that contract.
After meeting with you and your staff, I am even more convinced that our philosophies on the marketplace – and the way to approach bidding – are exceptionally compatible. My training in the use of Timberline computer estimating will be well suited to the new software you’ve implemented. I also think my three years of management experience as Chief Estimator, and graduate business degree, fits well into your position profile.
I found it particularly interesting that most of your staff competes in the AAA softball league. Did you know that they could use a Center Fielder like me? I was pleased with your A.G.C. involvement; your chapter supports the Young Leader of the Year program. As you know, I was given that award in 1988.
My wife Mary and I have given this opportunity a great deal of thought, and we both feel ready to move back to Tampa. I would like to meet with you again next Thursday to ask a few more questions. At that time, I would like to show you a sample bid of mine that I feel will be of interest to you. Please call to let me know if you have an extra few minutes on that day. As an addendum, I am attaching a copy of the article that the A.G.C. wrote about me receiving Young Leader of the Year plaque. I’m also enclosing a sample of my work on the Talbert School project that we discussed. Once again, Fred, it was a pleasure meeting with you. I look forward to seeing you on Thursday.”
“The article above was written by construction recruiter Frederick Hornberger, CPC, president of Hornberger Management Company in Wilmington, Delaware (www.hmc.com), a construction recruiter specializing in senior level, executive search.“