4 Things to do After Your Interview

Written By: Nicole

I don’t know about y’all, but nothing brings me more relief than finishing an interview. I’ve explained my particular set of skills, effectively employed the use of the STAR method, and chatted with the hiring manager about our shared loved of poutine which has definitely scored me extra HR-brownie points.

Being such a joy to have in class can really take a lot out of you, huh?

With any kind of excessive mental or physical activity, there is always the ever-important question of aftercare. I know where your mind just went - I promise you that aftercare is just as important for you post-interview as it is after…all the other things you may or may not do that require aftercare.

Here are a few things that we recommend you do after the interview or what we so affectionately refer to as ✨ interview aftercare ✨:

1. Call me, maybe?

Once the euphoria of finishing the interview wears off, the first thing my brain does is enter the dreaded shame spiral. Did I make too much eye contact? Did I not make enough eye contact? Did I ask the right questions? Did I make too many jokes?

Did you know that neurodivergent folks are incredibly self-judgemental and have a hard time with self-compassion? I see you 👀

A really good way to combat that urge to spiral is to call someone you love or trust and tell them about how the interview went. That lack of self-compassion you may be experiencing could hinder your ability to remember what went well! Talking it out with someone and verbally processing the experience of the interview can help you manage your thoughts and feelings with a bit more clarity.

2. Write that down, write that down!

You heard what Spongebob said - write it down!

Make note of things that stood out to you. Write out a little bit about the company culture that was touched on. As someone who is horrible with names, jot down the name of the person who interviewed you! Even if you think you’ll remember - just do it!

Writing yourself a little debrief will be especially helpful if you’re interviewing with multiple companies. These notes will help you as you get further in the interview process and could be a useful resource to refer back to when deciding if a role is right for you.

Trust me - it will always be better to have these notes and not need them. It’s like bringing your jacket to the movies. When have you ever regretted that?!

3. Move your meat suit, friends.

As much as you hate to hear it, moving your body does wonders for any lingering nerves and anxiety. You don’t have to take my word for it - the science speaks for itself. We 💗 a thorough meta-analysis.

Dance around your room to your favorite St. Vincent banger. Even a light stroll in the rich part of town will do you some good. And bring one of your Emotional Support Beverages with you!

4. Do something fun 🎉

I am here to gently and lovingly remind you that you have done a huge thing. Be it your first or your ninth, job interviews are no walk in the park. They take a lot of preparation, time, and energy. You are allowed to celebrate this achievement!

Give yourself an intentional break. Do something that brings you joy. Order your favorite vegan phở. Kick back and enjoy the season 2 finale of “Severance”.

Listen, if you’re not going to have self-compassion, let us at least do a little of the compassion-ing for you. You f**king deserve it!

No time? No problem!

Got a meeting in 20 minutes? Try a mini version of any of the above tips. A voice note to a beloved buddy or allowing yourself some time to l-o-l at pranks on TikTok could be enough. At the very least, it will tide you over until you can get a little more time to yourself.

A friendly reminder...

No matter how you think that interview went, you showed up and gave it your best — and that’s something worth celebrating, my pals. Job hunting is a doozy and every interview is a step forward - whether it’s a win, a lesson, or both. So, take care of yourself and let yourself be proud of the effort you put in. Your worth isn’t defined by a single conversation.

If you’re feeling like you need a little extra support on your hunt, you can get in touch with us at Colorful Futures.

As always, we’ve got you babe 🧡