2021 Career Services Guide
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Follow-up Correspondence<br />
Sending a thank you immediately following your interview is an absolute must. Follow-up correspondence is<br />
a crucial piece of the job search process and can make the difference in whether you are offered a second<br />
interview, or better yet, the position.<br />
Reflection<br />
Immediately following the interview, consider:<br />
• Who you met. Review business cards<br />
for proper spelling and titles<br />
• What the job entails<br />
• Why you can do the job<br />
• Aspects of the interview that went well.<br />
• Anything that didn’t go well<br />
• The agreed-upon next step<br />
Draft a Follow-up Email<br />
Email a personalized message to the principal<br />
interviewer to thank them for the conversation<br />
and reaffirm your interest (see sample). Do not<br />
delay, particularly if the recruiting timeline is<br />
tight and you know a decision will be made<br />
soon. Ideally, your note should be sent within<br />
24 hours of your interview.<br />
Checking In<br />
If you do not hear anything after a week or two,<br />
which is quite normal, call your primary contact and<br />
say something like, “It was a pleasure to interview<br />
with you last week. I’m calling to check in with you<br />
about the position. Is there anything else you need<br />
from me? I’m excited about the challenges and work<br />
here and would love to be part of this team.”<br />
Consider Mailing a Note, Too<br />
If time allows, an additional handwritten note will<br />
help to set you apart from other applicants and will<br />
refresh your image in the mind of the interviewer.<br />
The message can be similar to your email, but<br />
should not contain exactly the same text.<br />
Mail the note within 24 hours of the interview.<br />
Whenever possible, mention the names of those<br />
you met in the interview. We recommend<br />
sending customized notes to each person who<br />
interviewed you, using titles such as Ms. or Dr.<br />
unless you have been specifically told to be less<br />
formal.<br />
Have someone else proofread your note and<br />
ensure the accuracy of names and titles.<br />
Make Five Points Clear in Your<br />
Correspondence:<br />
1. You paid attention.<br />
2. You are excited about the job and can do it.<br />
3. You have strong communication skills.<br />
4. You correct any potentially negative impressions<br />
or clear up confusing issues that surfaced during<br />
the interview, if necessary.<br />
5. You appreciate the interviewer’s time.<br />
26 / INTERNSHIPS AND JOBS