Small details make a big difference.
If there is one place this holds especially true it’s during a job or internship search. Landing an interview may seem like half the battle, but your job as a potential hire is far from over once you leave the office. A recent Forbes article (onforb.es/1nMGfpt) provides tips for a thoughtful follow-up that will separate you from other job candidates.
- Thank everyone who interviewed you individually. Be sure to make each follow-up original, as they may share them with each other. The initial thank you should be handwritten, though any additional questions can be sent via email.
- Pay close attention and take good notes during the interview, as these will come in handy when writing your follow-up. Talk about anecdotes or conversations from the interview. Not only does this show that you paid attention, but it can be a subtle way to remind them of your past experience or skills.
- If you discussed one of the organization’s challenges during the interview, reiterate your ideas for how to solve the issue. If you can, offer alternative solutions. This will signal to your interviewer that you are goal-oriented and care about the organization’s work.
- Send your follow-up as soon as possible. Thank you notes and follow-ups are a crucial part of the interview process, but are often ignored. Not sending one quickly is a red-flag to employers looking for a candidate with keen attention to detail.
Finding an internship is competitive. Any way you can separate yourself from the pack brings you one step closer. Follow-ups and thank you notes are a meaningful way to show that you care about the position. It also opens the lines of communication should an employer have additional questions or information for you. Follow-ups and thank you notes are a small but mighty part of the internship search, so be sure to craft your next one carefully to impress potential employers.
