Earlier this month I attended McCombs Women in Business Leadership Conference.  One thing that has stuck with me is a story about the importance of follow-up, even after a less than stellar performance during an interview.


CJ Romberger, the founder and President of Wildwood Interactive was one of the panelists for the Advocacy break out session, and recounted a story of a technical interview that didn't go well.  She mentioned that later on, the candidate for the job learned the particulars related to that part of the technical interview, and provided a solution in a follow up email.  She was impressed not only with the fact that he bothered to learn something as a result of a negative experience, but that he made the effort to follow up with her.  That candidate was hired.

Following up after an interview isn't really optional, it should be reflex, whether it's a thank you card or email, or like the above candidate, shows you're willing to go the extra distance.  Taking the time to follow up separates you from the crowd, makes you memorable, and shows you're genuinely interested in the job.

Take the case of a family member, a journalist. He was working on a regional newspaper with dreams of working for the Boston Globe.  He secured an interview, then waited and waited for them to reach him.  Finally, he reached out and they said they were about to offer it to someone else because they didn't think he was that interested.  He got the job because he followed up.

So make sure to prove you want the job. Follow up.  Even if you didn't have the best interview experience.  Romberger also stated that candidate that flubbed the technical interview ended up being one of her best hiring decisions ever.