"Interview Survival Secrets from the Mock Interview Squad," originally published in the January-February 2005 issue of Between the Lines, is reprinted here in three parts. It's good information, well worth repeating. This is Part Three.

by Karen O’Keefe, Rebecca Forrest, and Jean Fudge

In an interview, you want to find out about the position and the environment, give job-related information about yourself, and leave a good impression, all while being relaxed. That’s a tall order for anyone, so we hope our advice and anecdotes will help you survive—or even thrive—in an interview.

After the Interview

1. Make your decision. After you leave the interview and are seated somewhere (not driving), imagine this scenario: You have three job offers with equal perks. If you were offered this particular job, would you take it? If your answer is no, then remember that. While it may be true that any job is better than no job, it’s more often true that the wrong job is a disaster.

   Forrest: From creative writing, I have one great piece of advice: Each time you send a submission to a publisher, you must start on an envelope to the next publisher. That way, if the first sends a rejection, you’ve already emotionally moved on to the second one. The same is true for interviews. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Keep seeking new, realistic opportunities. Having another iron in the fire can soften the blow if you—or a company—should decide that one situation isn’t a fit.

2. Make your mother proud. Send a thank-you note for every interview. It can be an email, a handwritten note on good-quality (neutral color) stationery, or a standard business letter.

   O’Keefe: Although books always say to write thank-you notes, I’d be shocked if I get more than 1 in 25 from candidates. So few people write the notes that doing so separates you from the rest of the pack.

   Forrest: I get more of them, but many come with misspelled names (mine, my company’s), and they often show a lack of letter formatting knowledge. If you write a formal letter (and for any cover letters), get the format right! Here’s an easy reference http://adresnet.com/businessletter.html showing a full-blocked letter with the subject line in the right place (Bill Gates insists on putting it in the wrong place).

   Fudge: Absolutely! When I started hiring, I was shocked at how few thank-you letters I got. I was taught that a thank you is required, so I wondered if this obligatory note was a waste of time. Wrong! Sometimes “common politeness” is anything but. It’s a very small investment in time, money, and effort, but it truly can set you apart.

3. Follow up. If the hiring decision is supposed to be made this week, follow up next week. If it’s supposed to be made in two weeks, follow up in three weeks. And follow up even if you have decided against the company. It’s good practice.

   O’Keefe: A friend once had an interview where she was told the decision would be made “this week.” She hadn’t heard anything for two weeks, so she called to inquire. She was offered the job, she was told, because she was the only candidate with the wherewithal to follow up.

   Forrest: Follow up even if you don’t get the job. Make it easy on the interviewer by doing this on the phone. Ask what qualification might have put you at the top. Ask what you could have done better in the interview. Remember that the single best job-hunting resource is a good network of professionals in your field. Keep those channels open.

4. Let go. After you’ve done your best and taken all the prudent steps you can, let go. You can’t control the outcome. You can only do your part. Pat yourself on the back. Note what you did well and what you’ll do differently next time. Regardless of the outcome, you brushed up your interviewing skills, which will strengthen your next interview.

That brings us to the last step. But this one is so important that we didn’t give it a number. It’s simply this: Enjoy your life. Shortly before his death, John Lennon wrote, “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.” Don’t postpone fun until after you get your new job. Enjoy your life to the best of your ability right now.