This document provides guidance on following up after a job interview in a strategic way. It recommends sending a thank you note by email, card, or e-card to the interviewers within a day or two of the interview. The note should thank the interviewers for their time, reiterate your interest in the position, and subtly indicate your qualifications and that you look forward to continuing the conversation. It also suggests asking clarifying questions respectfully if needed. Taking a grateful mindset and engaging in gratitude exercises can help shift one's perspective to focus on relationship building rather than just needing a job.

1. After the Interview
Set yourself up for success when you follow-up through strategies & a
strengths based approach after the interview.
© Copyright 2018, RochesterWorks! Developed by Job Strategist: Barbara Wilcox

2. © Copyright 2018, RochesterWorks! Developed by Job Strategist: Barbara Wilcox

3. Basics … with a strategic twist.
Follow Up
 Thank you note!
• Email
• Hand written
• E-card
o https://www.punchbowl.com/
 Be prepared!
• Ask for cards/contact of all
interviewers
• Ask if they prefer snail mail or e-
mail
Influence What you Want
1. Thank you for your time
2. I enjoyed our conversation about …
 Insert a skillset you have to
subtly/subliminally continually market
yourself
3. State what you want, subtly. i.e.:
 I truly look forward to continuing this
conversation and plan to check-in in 1.5
weeks
o (only if they’ve indicated that’s an open
option)
 And then follow-up!
o Put it on your calendar
© Copyright 2018, RochesterWorks! Developed by Job Strategist: Barbara Wilcox

4. Card, Email, or E-Card??
Card or Email
 Pros:
• Room to write a longer note
• More personalized (especially a
card)
 Cons:
• Card – handwriting can be tricky …
• Card – can be expensive (try the
Dollar Store as needed)
• Email – what if they don’t see it??
E-Card
 Pros:
• Free!
• You can set up a read receipt
 Cons:
• Not much room to write a message
… so much for saying what you
enjoyed/marketing yourself that
extra bit
• Be sure to turn off ads!
• Be sure to send the free one 
© Copyright 2018, RochesterWorks! Developed by Job Strategist: Barbara Wilcox

5. © Copyright 2018, RochesterWorks! Developed by Job Strategist: Barbara Wilcox

6. Best Practices from an Insider!
 John Logal, Senior Account Executive – AppleOne
 “Is It Too Late To Apply? How an ‘Old’ Job Ad Can Lead to Great Opportunities
• https://blog.appleone.com/2018/06/21/is-it-too-late-to-apply-how-an-old-job-ad-
can-lead-to-great-opportunities/
• Geared toward the application process
• But great mindset, tips, & strategies that are transferrable to interview follow-up
© Copyright 2018, RochesterWorks! Developed by Job Strategist: Barbara Wilcox

7. Best Practices from an Insider! (cont’d.)
Ask Clarifying Questions (from “Get on the Phone Section”) – it is okay to do this,
just be strategic, clear, & tactful!
• Mindset: it’s okay to ask questions (just be sure they are purposeful & be mindful
of your audience’s time)
• i.e. establish a timeframe at the beginning of the call: May I take up 1-2 minutes of your
time w questions? If you go over, recognize this and say: You’ve been so gracious with your
time to answer my questions, it looks like we’ve gone over. Do I need to let you go?
• Ex Q’s you might ask:
• May I provide any additional information at this time that will help you make a decision?
• I have 1 page Case Studies documents that outlines my success in (blank) – may I send this
to you?
• Are you looking for a unique skill or background we can discuss further? (taken straight
from the blog article)
© Copyright 2018, RochesterWorks! Developed by Job Strategist: Barbara Wilcox

8. © Copyright 2018, RochesterWorks! Developed by Job Strategist: Barbara Wilcox

9. Mindset
Relationship-Building
 No matter what – you felt it didn’t
go well, you’re not interested in the
position, etc … This is an Opportunity
to Relationship Build
• Take the Pressure Off: when you
think about it this way, it shifts the
focus from need something
(employment) to empowering stance
of we are here to help each other
o i.e. You are following-up not b/c you
need something, but b/c you are so
inclined & compelled to keep the
relationship going.
Gratitude:
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/randy-kamen-gredinger/the-
transformative-power-_2_b_6982152.html
 Gratitude works! – the field of
“Positive Psychology”
• “leads to greater happiness &
resilience”
• “Gratitude is our emotion that
relates to our ability to feel and
express thankfulness and
appreciation.”
• “improves mental, physical and
relational well-being”
© Copyright 2018, RochesterWorks! Developed by Job Strategist: Barbara Wilcox

10. Gratitude … but not yet??
 You’ve had a negative interview experience  (you’re not alone … it happens)
1. Feel the emotion non-judgmentally
• Play the, “I notice game” … I notice I feel funny about this. I notice I feel down. I notice now I
feel angry. I notice I felt awkward. I now notice I felt confused by that interviewer’s tone. Now I
notice maybe I could have said it this way. Now I notice I feel drained. Now I notice maybe I
should do something to get my energy up. …
2. Express anger or grief in controlled amounts
• Find an alone spot
• Allocate no more than 5 minutes to this emotion
• Grab a bath towel & twist it. Focus only on how you feel (not on a living thing).
3. Remove yourself from the situation
• Say – Ah, I released. Yes, that is now over. I am moving on for now.
• Physically do something else. Nature! Social! Sleep! Make a meal! Walk! Drive! Physically move
on
© Copyright 2018, RochesterWorks! Developed by Job Strategist: Barbara Wilcox

11. Gratitude … almost ready.
 Benefits of Gratitude - https://www.huffingtonpost.com/randy-kamen-gredinger/the-transformative-power-
_2_b_6982152.html
• Improved physical, emotional, and social well-being
• Greater optimism and happiness,
• Improved feelings of connection in times of loss or crises
• Increased self-esteem
• Heightened energy levels
• Strengthened heart, immune system, and decreased blood pressure
• Improved emotional and academic intelligence
• Expanded capacity for forgiveness
• Decreased stress, anxiety, depression, and headaches
• Improved self-care and greater likelihood to exercise
• Heightened spirituality — ability to see something bigger than ourselves
© Copyright 2018, RochesterWorks! Developed by Job Strategist: Barbara Wilcox

12. Gratitude … practice this attitude.
 Gratitude Exercises – consider engaging in a gratitude exercise before you follow-up (but don’t
wait too long) - https://www.huffingtonpost.com/randy-kamen-gredinger/the-transformative-power-_2_b_6982152.html
• Keep your gratitude journal by your bedside and each night list 3-5 positive experiences from the day. Elaborate
on one of these ideas.
• Make a ritual of 2-5 minute “gratitude meditations.” (discussed below)
• Take a few deep breaths before your gratitude exercises to be grounded, present, mindful.
• Say thank you often — particularly to those who serve you!
• Linger on thoughts of positive moments from the day.
• Write down a letter of thanks to someone who has made a difference in your life — give it to them in person if
possible.
• Express gratitude at meals alone or with loved ones.
• Practice not gossiping, complaining or judging for a day etc.
• Write down what you appreciate about yourself.
• Express or show gratitude to your partner.
• Think about what you are grateful for each morning.
© Copyright 2018, RochesterWorks! Developed by Job Strategist: Barbara Wilcox

13. © Copyright 2018, RochesterWorks! Developed by Job Strategist: Barbara Wilcox

14. What happens if you’re not offered the
job??
 Ask for Feedback: see if there is a way you can obtain feedback or insights.
Do this tactfully & graciously.
 Gratitude & Relationship Building: send another thank you, say how much
you respect the company, & that you’d love to be considered for future
opportunities
 Celebrate You!: Be proud of all of the moves you made to connect yourself to
that opportunity. Use the same strategies from “Gratitude … but not yet??” &
then do something fun for yourself! You deserve it.
 Find Another New Opportunity: refocus your efforts with productivity. If
another great job isn’t out there yet, consider a workshop or networking
group! Find a professional article about your field & post to LinkedIn 
© Copyright 2018, RochesterWorks! Developed by Job Strategist: Barbara Wilcox

15. *Practice*
 Let’s experiment with Punchbowl!
 Can we brainstorm ways we’ve followed-up in the past … What worked, what
could have worked better?
© Copyright 2018, RochesterWorks! Developed by Job Strategist: Barbara Wilcox