Your interview is over. As you leave the office, you see others waiting nervously. You wonder how many positions remain and if you will be offered one. You also wonder what you can do to set yourself apart from the other candidates. You need a post-interview plan. You have a small window of opportunity to contact the employer and positively reinforce the interview. Don't wait by the phone hoping it will ring; take the initiative and follow up.

Demonstrate Your Appreciation
Send a thank you note to the prospective employer. Make sure you add a personal touch by referring to something specific from the interview. The note should state that you are interested in the position and will follow up with a phone call. You may also email your interviewer and express your appreciation for her professionalism and taking the time to meet with you. Another option is to phone the interviewer and leave a brief message requesting that she call you at a time that is convenient for her.

Follow Up
Leave a few options open for future contact. The selection process may take longer than a week, and you do not want to bombard the employer with calls. Once you have sent a thank you note, wait for at least four or five days to contact the employer again. If the interviewer requested that you touch bases with him on a certain day, by all means do so. Definitely contact the recruiter or HR person if he was involved in the process; he should be able to provide you with an update.

Prepare For the Next Round.
Review and critique your own interview and make a note of areas that need improvement for future contact with the employer. You always think of relevant pieces of information after the interview; have these details in your notes for the second interview. Be prepared to meet at a moment's notice---have your suit pressed and ready. Keep your interview- and post-interview notes together; when the interviewer calls, you will have all your information at your fingertips.

Utilize Your Allies
Use the recruiter. Although she is being paid by the prospective employer, she is partnering with you to secure this position. Ask her to follow up on your behalf and call you with updates. You can also request a second interview; the recruiter may not feel this is feasible, but make your case to get back into that office.

Be Patient
Be careful not to seem desperate or anxious. This process may require multiple interviews and competition is fierce---keep your head. Do not harass the interviewer by continually calling and leaving messages. Take this time to bone up on the company by reading its annual reports and newsletters; this information will be invaluable to you when you become part of the team.