Adams & Garth Blog

Don’t Make These 5 Deadly Mistakes After the Interview

June 15th, 2010

You just had what you thought was a great job interview with an employer in Central Virginia. All you have to do is sit back and wait for the phone to ring, right? Wrong!

There are several mistakes that candidates oftentimes make that can blow the post-interview period, just when the hiring manager is making the final decision.

So what mistakes should you avoid? Here are the top five:

MISTAKE #1: Forgetting to send a thank you note.
If the interview went well, you may think you don’t need to send a thank you note. Not true. Not only should you be thanking the employer for the interview, but you should also use the note as an opportunity to remind the hiring manager why you are perfect for the position.

MISTAKE #2: Writing a thank you note that is too long, or too general.
Brevity is key. Hiring managers are busy people and a long note will simply annoy them.
Besides being concise, also be specific in your note. Write at least one thing that connects with the interviewer regarding something specific you discussed at the interview.

MISTAKE #3: Not alerting your references.
Let your references know that a potential employer may be contacting them. Otherwise, they will be unprepared to promote your strengths to the hiring manager.

MISTAKE #4: Harassing the hiring manager.
You will not help your cause by bombarding the hiring manager with emails and voicemails. Be patient. The hiring process can be a long one for certain companies and positions.

MISTAKE #5: Bad mouthing the employer.
Don’t burn any bridges if you aren’t offered the job. Simply ask the hiring manager the reason you weren’t hired, so if you made any mistakes you can correct them in the future.

If you need help preparing for an interview, or are looking for a job in Central Virginia, then please contact Adams & Garth. As a leading employment agency serving Central Virginia, we can offer you access to a variety of rewarding job opportunities in fields such as administration, accounting, IT, engineering, HR, and hospitality.

Contact Adams & Garth today to learn more.