Articles : The Interview Review

By Sharon Graham, Canada's Career Strategist

All your preparation was impeccable and the interview’s done. Although your job interview is over, if you want to stand out, there is still a little work to do before you kick back and relax.

As soon as possible after the interview, take a few minutes to reflect on your experience. Consider your performance in relation to each of the questions below. If you believe that you did not do well in one particular area, you may want to consider how you can improve the next time around.

• Was I friendly and courteous with everyone?
• Did I act enthusiastic and interested in the job and the company?
• Was I confident throughout the interview?
• Did I communicate all the necessary information about my background?
• Did I confirm my ability to do the job by relating my experience?
• Did I ask all the questions I wanted to ask?
• Did I indicate knowledge about the company?
• Did I make a positive overall impression?
• What can I do differently in my next interview?

A simple “thank-you” often makes the difference between a job going to you or someone else. If you really want to stand out from the competition, it is critical to make the next move. This should involve two additional steps:

• Send a thank-you letter to the employer immediately after the interview (within 24 hours).
• Perform a follow-up phone call within a reasonable period of time.

Look at each interview as a good experience and stay positive. The majority of job applicants fail to assess their performance or to say their “thank-you” after their interview. Just by completing these simple steps, you already have an advantage over the competition and you are well on your way to winning the job of your dreams!

Sharon Graham is principal consultant for Graham Management Group, executive director of Career Professionals of Canada, and author of Best Canadian Resumes. Graham Management Group is known for excellence and innovation in resume, interview, and career strategy. Sharon assists executives, managers, and other experienced professionals through this leading career consulting firm. You can find further information and articles directly at www.GrahamManagement.com.