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Congratulations on conquering the interview, you made it! The hardest part of the process might be over (depending on how you look at it), but the next steps aren’t completely out of your hands…yet.
If the decision goes down to the wire, your immediate actions following the interview could swing the balance in your favour. Regardless, a healthy dose of good post-interview etiquette can result in some valuable insights, and it may keep you on the radar for even better opportunities in the future.
Find our favourite post-interview tips below!
Send a Follow-Up Email
A follow-up email, when done well, goes down a treat. A good follow-up email typically thanks the interviewer for their time and contains a point or two from the interview. For example, ‘Thank you for your time, it was good to meet you earlier and I’m particularly looking forward to seeing where I can make an impact in the [Latest Project].’
The more you can personalise it the better. Don’t worry about writing an essay either, three short paragraphs is a good amount to aim for. The essential points to convey are:
Your gratitude for the opportunity
Your interest in the company
What your skillset brings to the role
It’s best to send the mail within 24 hours of the interview to capture and convey your post-interview enthusiasm. Even if you felt the interview itself was a catastrophic disaster, maintaining your professionalism and sending that follow-up email can make a positive impact.
Don’t Abandon the Job Search
You may have had an exquisite interview as you tactfully, tastefully, professionally, and authentically sold your inimitable personality and skill set, all but guaranteeing your spot in the company, but that doesn’t mean you should give up on your search just yet.
This is not a glass-half-empty outlook either – ideal positions can spring up out of nowhere, and ultimately, it keeps your options open. You even find yourself inundated with offers, giving you extra leverage when it comes to wage negotiation.
If You Were Successful
Consider the offer, it’s yours to accept or decline after all, but you must let your prospective employer know that you’re considering it. Communication is key.
Your recruiter will be able to support you in this (and every other) part of the process, so don’t be afraid to ask them any questions that you might have, no question is too absurd when you’re thinking about your future.
If You Were Unsuccessful
Try not to carry the weight of an unsuccessful interview for long. Learn don’t dwell. Interviews are always a learning process, the majority of us have failed an interview, and there are more opportunities out there.
You can (and should) always ask for feedback from the hiring manager or from your recruiter to get some more insight. It gets easier if you don’t take it personally (although that’s often the hardest thing in the universe). Check out these tips on how to build resilience if you need some support.
Take Notes
Take notes while the interview experience is fresh in your mind. When you’re applying for jobs in a specialised niche of the life sciences industry, the odds are that you’ll run into some similar questions and processes.
You can take these notes with you to the next interview, or in a best-case scenario, onto the job itself!
Check out our other articles on jobseeker tips here:
5 Tips for Building a Winning CV
How We Can Help
Our specialist consultants are equipped to guide you through every stage of the job search, and our service doesn’t stop there. We’re more than a talent supplier, we’re dedicated career advisors, and we’re here to help you find your opportunity in the life sciences.
Reach out to the team and learn about our latest roles here, or contact me directly on LinkedIn to chat more about your position in the world’s most exciting industry.