What Should One Do After the Interview?

FattyBoeBatty asks: "So I finally find the perfect company to work for. Unfortunately, they're only going to hire 3 out of the 200 people they're interviewing. So here's my question: I know there are a lot of slashdotters in charge of hiring - what post-interview actions do you like to see on the part of the interviewee? Is it possible for him/her to seem too enthusiastic about getting the job? How often should one call to inquire about the hiring process and re-express interest? What about mailing/emailing the company? Do you guys have any examples of when someone managed to stand out (or appeared too annoying)? I've never seen a question like this addressed in detail; I hope the Slashdot community can give me some sound advice."

Comments

Send a thank-you letter

[funkman]

If you are serious - send a thank you letter for letting you interview. During the letter point out your strong points about you (or from your interview).

It shows you are serious and when all things seem equal in a pool that size - the extra recognition can put you ahead.

A few comments

[zonk the purposeful]

Just my own take on it. I've been interviewing and then hiring for six years.

So I finally find the perfect company to work for. Unfortunately, they're only going to hire 3 out of the 200 people they're interviewing.

Sounds a bit odd, did they get 200 CV's or try to interview the whole lot- at one time.. it sounds a bit extreme..

So here's my question: I know there are a lot of slashdotters in charge of hiring -
what post-interview actions do you like to see on the part of the interviewee?

My preference is that they do nothing. When I've spent a couple of days interviewing it all becomes a bit of a blur, and I work off off notes at the end. In any case I have a pretty good feeling as to what going to happen with the candidate.

Is it possible for him/her to seem too enthusiastic about getting the job?

Yes. You risk coming across as a bit insecure to me. Maybe high maintainence, neither traits impress.

How often should one call to inquire about the hiring process and re-express interest? What about mailing/emailing the company?

If your working through a recruiter hassle them as much as you like, same with HR if you are going direct, that's what they are there for. - just be polite..

Do you guys have any examples of when someone managed to stand out (or appeared too annoying)?
Occasionally where in the interview the candidate has talked about some stuff. Getting a mail with URL's about it - I like that. It doesn't have to be tech, I'll have tried to pick up on your hobbies & pasttimes in the interview anyway, if it's stuff I'm into - them by all means.

I would just chill, keep the CV's going out. oh.. and try and find a _good_ recruitment firm to represent you. I know some of the guides say ring/email after the interview but with me it doesn't help.

Frankly the process can take a week, or 3 months.. and with 200(!) candidates it will probably take them a month to get through the interviews..

which side of the table?

[DuctTape]

What I find ironic is how often I find myself on the other side of the interviewing table after I've done interviewing myself. Those of you coming out of failed startups know what I mean. I end up asking people [who I knew previously] that I've just interviewed if they know of any openings for me mere months after I interviewed them. So, be nice, because in small job markets, like, say, Austin, what goes around comes around. But I digress. I guess I could be weaselly and say that it depends upon the interviewer and the position that you're going for (see here for my comments on positions then.

On most interviews I've done, we tend to make decisions that afternoon, or it takes a week or longer. Either way, after an interview, if I get an email or snail mail ack from the interviewee the next day or before, I tend to just file it (or not) with their paperwork (if I'm keeping it), and it doesn't really affect me. However, if I get something a few days afterwards, it does tend to refresh that person in my mind and I think that I've given them a couple additional points for that since they're showing continued interest in the position.

However, if I've gone past the deadline where I was supposed to give them an answer, they've got all the right to give me a call or otherwise inquire as to their status, and that raises them up a little bit more since they're continuing to show interest (even though I should have gotten back to them by then). But I think that I'd get annoyed (and it hasn't happened yet) if the candidate dogs me more than their initial note.

So be pleasant, persistant, yet not annoying. I'll be working on those traits myself here soon.

research the company, then make one call

[BroadbandBradley]

find out details about the company then make that ONE call and work it into the conversation. I think that if you can show that you actually looked into the company (details like who owns the company how the stock is doing who the competitors are where they stand in the market etc....), it show that YOU ARE CONSIDERING LETTING THEM EMPLOY YOU. Take the approach that you are your own company trying to work out a contract even if it's not contract work but don't seem arrogant in doing so. The last thing any SMART employer wants is a bunch of mindless drones who don't give a rats ass about the big picture and the goals of the company as a whole.
disclaimer: I don't work in HR.