Preparing for Interviews and Job Fairs
Following Up Post-Interview Dr. Rebecca Faber Senior Career Advisor (retired), University of Nebraska-Lincoln
M
ost candidates focus on several aspects of preparing for the interview—careful preparation of the resume and portfolio, a mock interview, and finding appropriate professional dress. However, there are also tasks to be done after the interview. Once you leave the site of the interview, the temptation is great to avoid thinking about it, to relax, and to focus on the drive home with the promise that you will later sort things out. From my point of view, that’s a mistake. Each interview is a learning experience. Interviewing is not easy for anyone. Any situation that prompts us to think about what the interview entailed and how we handled it helps us to improve our interviewing skills. Here are some tips for actions to take after the interview: ü Go somewhere quiet (perhaps a coffee shop or a park) and write down who the members of the interview team were, where the interview was held, and how long it lasted. Note your initial feelings about how you think that the interview went. This approach will capture your first impression of your interviewing skills. ü Make a list of the questions you were asked and the answers that you gave. This list will give you a solid perspective about how the interview was conducted. It will also provide you with questions that may show up at your next interview. ü Make notes about what you wished you would have been asked and what you might answer differently the next time. This will be helpful if you interview again. ü Consider if any questions/answers from your interview might prompt you to revise your resume to be more specific and marketable. ü Think about whether you need to talk to a professional about this experience—perhaps a career counselor, a principal whom you feel comfortable asking about interviewing techniques, or a teacher who has recently (in the last year or two) gone through the hiring process. ü Write a thank you note to the interviewer(s) within twenty-four hours of the interview. They notice such courtesies. Make sure that the note is as well proofread as your cover letter was!
NOTES
Experience the Five Star Difference With more than 38,000 students, Adams 12 Five Star Schools offers the benefits of a large district with a close-knit feel. That’s reflected in the numerous opportunities for students, staff and parents at any of the district’s 50 plus unique learning centers. We take pride in our job and in making a meaningful difference in each child’s life. Go online to discover teaching opportunities,unique programs, professional development, retirement plans, benefits and more:
www.adams12.org/careers
72 American Association for Employment in Education
