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Following up after a job interview

Thank-you letter

Sending a thank-you letter following a job interview is not only a standard courtesy, it’s another opportunity for you to share information with the employer/interviewers that you may have forgotten to mention during the interview itself. Sending a thank-you letter also demonstrates interest in the job and enthusiasm for the opportunity to work with the employer.

Thank-you letters are most commonly emailed. Ensure you have the correct email address for the intended recipient(s). Your email should be written in a formal tone, and you should avoid using emojis, acronyms or internet slang (i.e., IMO for “In my opinion”).

A thank-you letter following a job interview should serve three purposes:

  1. Confirm your interest in the job

  2. Summarize your main credentials

  3. Express your desire to be included in the next step(s) of the hiring process or to be offered the job

When to send a thank-you letter

If you choose to send a thank-you letter, the best timeframe to send it following an interview is within 48 hours.

What to include in a thank-you letter

The example below is a suggestion for what you might include:

Opening paragraph:

  • State the name(s) of the interviewer(s) Mention the date of the interview Express your appreciation for the opportunity to interview for the position

Paragraph #2:

  • Reaffirm your understanding of the position’s requirements and emphasizes your qualifications You may want to add an important piece of information that you may have forgotten to discuss in the interview

Paragraph #3:

  • If necessary, correct any misunderstandings the interviewer may have following your interview You can also use this paragraph to counter an objection the interviewer may have raised

Closing paragraph:

  • Express your interest in and enthusiasm for the position and the organization

Thank you letter template

[insert template here]

Self-assessment

Self-assessment is a key competency we all need in order to successfully navigate the world of work. One way you can build these skills is by conducting some form of self-assessment after each job interview. Self-assessment is the ability to effectively evaluate your personal strengths and weaknesses. Evaluating your interview skills/performance is about understanding which areas you feel confident with and which areas you feel that you would like to/need to improve on.

A critical step in conducting a thorough self-assessment is to seek feedback and incorporate the feedback you receive into your assessment. When it comes to interviews, feedback can be extremely valuable. You can seek feedback on your interview skills in whichever works best for you.

Some ideas you might consider are…

  • Book an interview appointment with a career advisor at the Centre for Career Development

  • Attend an interview workshop at the Centre for Career Development

  • Practice responding to interview questions with a friend or family member and ask for feedback

  • Use an online mock interview tool such as Google Interview Warmup

  • Whether or not you are the successful candidate, you can ask the employer what went well in the interview and what could be improved next time.

NOTE: co-op students are not encouraged to reach out to employers about this as employers who wish to share interview feedback typically do so through WaterlooWorks

  • Consider taking some time to reflect on an interview experience you’ve had using this format:

  • STOP-START-CONTINUE

Using a writing tool that works for you, note what you’d like to STOP doing in your next interview, what you’d like to START doing and what you hope to CONTINUE doing.

Interview resources

Practicing interviews is a crucial step in preparing for job opportunities. Here are some tools and resources that can help you practice and improve your interview skills…

Note: please carefully consider which resources will be most effective for you.

General

  • Glassdoor and Indeed (research common interview questions for specific companies and roles)

  • Practice with a trusted friend or mentor and seek their feedback

  • Generative AI (ask – “what are some common interview questions for a recreational therapist?”)

  • Google Interview Warmup

  • Pramp: a platform that enables peer-to-peer mock interviews

  • Big Interview: an online training system that helps you improve your interview technique through virtual mock interviews

Technical/coding

  • No labels