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clemson.edu/career
CENTER FOR CAREER AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
/ClemsonCCPD
61
STAY PROFESSIONAL
INTERVIEW REVIEW AND FOLLOW-UP
The following procedures should be followed after every interview:
Take good notes: During or immediately after the interview, write
down what you discussed, why you are a good fit for the job and
any possible objections you think the interviewer may have about
your background.
Draft a brief follow-up letter: While developing your follow-up
letter, you should remember to show positive “matches” between
what they want and what you have to offer; refer to previous
experiences or education; volunteer further information; ask for
clarification regarding anything that came up in the interview;
offer to provide references; justify a reason to get together.
Send a thank you note: After every interview, even when you are
not interested or unqualified for the job, you should send a thank
you letter within 24 hours.
THINGS TO CONSIDER
Ideally, the job you will accept will be with a company you believe
in and has a culture that fits your values. The job duties might
not be exactly what you were looking for but weigh the possibility
of future growth and advancement. Candidates will often take
a job with the hopes of moving into a new and more challenging
position.
Specific items you may want to consider before accepting a
position are:
Salary
As mentioned above, not everything is about the salary. The
opportunity for growth, training, and securing the first job are
all important factors to consider. Be mindful of the differences
of Gross Income (often referred to as ‘salary’) and Net Income
(‘take-home’ pay).
Location
The location of your job is an important factor to consider: know
what your values are and how important working close to home is
for you. Consider the cost of living in the area and the commute
to work. Specific things to consider as you research this: a) traffic
patterns, b) public transportation, c) parking availability & fees,
and d) personal safety at different hours.
Insurance
Will you be able to qualify for insurance immediately upon
being hired or do you need to wait 30 days or longer? If you
need to wait, you will need to look into temporary health and life
insurance policy. What is your cost per paycheck if the employer
offers health insurance? How much will insurance cost on the
open market? Especially for small businesses, private sellers are
often the only option. Is the employer offering Life or Disability
Insurance?
Vacation and Sick Leave
Some companies will negotiate with new hires for more vacation
or sick days, and, in general, there can be more flexibility here
than with other elements of the employer benefits package.
Flexibility
Some companies may offer options other than the traditional 9 to
5 workday. Be sure you know what the employer expects from you.
Does the organization offer a teleworking opportunity?
Relocation Expenses
If you are relocating, does the employer offer financial relocation
assistance?
Retirement
What kind of retirement package is offered? Is the employer
offering to match the contribution? When do you have access or
when are you vested? If no package is offered – how will you save
for my own retirement?
Taxes
What are your tax deductions per paycheck? A good resource is
ADP’s paycheck calculator.
Travel
Know how much travel is expected in your new job. It is important
to consider if you will use your own car, a rental car, or if a
company car will be provided.
Education/Certifications
Many companies have professional and educational development
programs. Find out if your company offers these benefits and
whether you qualify. Will you get time off for continuing your
education or attending conferences/seminars? Additionally, some
companies offer tuition reimbursement.
Mobile Phone
Will you be given a mobile phone for business only, or business
and personal use? Is it in the form of reimbursement or allotted
amount up front for a certain amount? And, if so, does having
a company mobile phone mean you would expected to respond
during non-work hours?