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186 THE END OF THE INTERVIEW

tile. A phone call that should take less than a minute becomes a fifteen-
minute conversation. And, second, even when the phone calls are short,
multiply that by hundreds of applicants and you can see that these calls
take a huge chunk out of an interviewer’s day. Though it is nice to re-
ceive acknowledgment, it is easier for interviewers not to return phone
calls or e-mails.

, Give your thank-you letter a twist by providing additional in-
formation. Along with your letter, include an informational piece, such
as an article or a Web site address that is relevant to the interview. De-
pending on your line of work, you can submit writing samples or graph-
ics based on your conversation. Sending such pertinent information gives
you another chance to interact with the interviewer and keep your name
in the forefront. However, this step can come off as insincere, so use it
only when you are truly earnest about the job.

, Know when to let go. When an interviewer has decided to hire
someone else, you will not change his mind, no matter how many times
you call.

, Stick to traditional follow-up methods. Online social networks
such as Facebook or MySpace are not follow-up avenues you should use.
Those methods are too informal. E-mail, a letter sent through regular
mail, or a phone call are better.

, Ask for a second interview. With every interview the interviewer
conducts, the criteria for the position change. You may have had a great
interview and raised the stakes. If you were one of the first interviewed,
yours may not measure up because later candidates each brought some-
thing new to the situation. Asking for a second interview will put you
back on the same playing field.

Competency-Based Follow-Up Letters

There isn’t a standard follow-up letter to use as a guide. So, to determine
how best to focus the letter, take the time to complete the following post-
interview assessment. The results can serve as a roadmap for your approach.

The first step in the assessment is to collect your thoughts right after
the interview. Write down your initial impressions while your memory

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