1. Review Your Notes

After the interview you should write down immediately what happened, including the interview's name, title, areas of interest, key questions and concerns. Update your portfolio of research information with the newly acquired information to better prepare you for the next line of interviews, and to prepare a good "Thank You" letter.

If they do not get back with you as expected, feel free to call the interviewer directly to inquire about the next step for you in their interviewing process. There is nothing wrong with communication a proactive, positive approach to securing the job you want by calling the interviewer after the deadline.

A "Thank You" letter should be written to each person you meet during an interview.

Write a "Thank You" letter that communicates appreciation for their time and interest in you. This is an invaluable reflection of your good character, and provides you an opportunity to express the things you wish you had said during your meeting. Offer them new information such as copies of articles or references, news clippings, or work samples that substantiates your claims.

Here is your opportunity to send articles and documents of interest to the employers and mention those things you forgot to mention during the interview. However make sure to keep it simple and stress the three or four reasons what makes you right for this position

End the letter confirming your next appointment. This letter should be similar to your cover letter in style, but now you know more clearly how to relate your top qualifications to their requirements. Your follow up letter is almost always read from beginning to end, so it need not be brief. Have someone edit the final version.

Example:

"Thank you for your time last Tuesday. It was a pleasure meeting you and hearing about your department's goals to bid $100 million in building projects over the next twelve months. It came as a surprise to me that you were the builders on the Tampa Commerce Building. We understood Jones Construction Co. did all the work for Powell Enterprises. You should be proud of securing that contract.

After meeting with you and your staff, I am even more convinced that our philosophies on the marketplace and the way to approach bidding are exceptionally compatible. My training in the use of Timberline computer estimating will be well suited to the new software you've implemented. I also think my three years of mangement experience as chief estimator, and graduate business degree fits well into your position profile.

I found it particularly interesting that most of your staff competes in the AAA softball league. Did you know they need a center fielder like me? I was pleased with your A.G.C. involvement; your chapter supports the Young Leader of the Year program. As you know, I was elected in 1988.

My wife Mary and I have given this opportunity a great deal of thought, and we both feel ready to move back to Tampa. I would like to meet with you again next Thursday to ask you a few more questions, and show you a sample bid of mine that I feel will be of interest to you. Please call me to let me know if you have an extra few minutes on that day.

As an addendum, I'm including a copy of the article the A.G.C. wrote about me after awarding me the Young Leader plaque, and a sample of my work on the Talbert School project that we discussed. Once again, Fred, it was a pleasure meeting with you, and I look forward to seeing you Thursday."

The previous information is written and copyrighted by Frederick C. Hornberger, Jr., president of Hornberger Management Company, a national board and executive search firm specializing in the construction industry. This information is provided for personal use only. It may not be copied, printed or distributed to anyone other than you the reader, for any reason without permission from the author. Contact the author at address One Commerce Center, #747, Wilmington, Delaware 19801, phone 302-573-2541, email [email protected], or through the company web site at www.hmc.com.