Regrouping after a job interview: what to do to improve your profile

It’s nerve-wracking enough to go through an interview, but one can agree that waiting for the outcome is even more aggravating. Even if you leave a potential employer’s office feeling confident that he’s made it, there’s still a period of uncertainty that extends with each passing day that the phone doesn’t ring. You know that HR is interviewing other people and needs to gather a good pool of candidates before they can make an informed decision. Also, continue to look for other open positions. How do you deal with the days when no one calls you?

Anxiety during the job search is perfectly normal. You feel pressured to find a good job to ease the financial burdens, and the sooner you are hired, the better. This time between the interview and the call should be well spent on improving your profile, so that subsequent interviews, if necessary, will result in a quicker response. Not only that, but keeping busy can help calm your nerves while you wait for employers to contact you.

Here are some things you can do between interviews to help improve your standing in the eyes of your recruiters:

1) Review your resume. Take a look at your work history and skills. You may want to highlight certain points and accomplishments that will impress an employer. If you’ve learned something new, like a computer language or coding skills, include it in a new version before you ship it with your apps.

2) Change your references. It’s great to have two or three people you can always rely on to speak well. Don’t stop there, however. Try to have a few people “in reserve” who can offer a more unique image of you as a worker.

3) Look at the real thing. After soccer games, coaches often watch team videos to see what worked and what didn’t. You won’t be able to record your interview, but if you’re concerned about your appearance and performance, you can sit down with a friend and recap. A fresh set of eyes can spot tics and gestures that could put off employers.

4) Rethink your wardrobe. You dress best when you meet potential employers, but you should also consider that colors and style vary by job. The general rule of thumb among employment experts is to wear a dark neutral, black or navy, in a conservative style.

Changes in your presentation, attitude, and style can make all the difference after the interview. Evaluate how an employer sees you and improve that image to make the phones ring.