Final answer:
You should send a thank-you email within 24 hours of your interview, inform your references, and continue job searching. If not given a specific timeframe, follow up 1-2 weeks after the interview. Review your notes and prepare for follow-up communication.
Step-by-step explanation:
Post-interview communication should occur promptly, with a thank-you email sent to your interviewers ideally within 24 hours following the interview. During this communication, it's important to maintain a professional tone and express gratitude for the opportunity to interview. Additionally, you should notify your references that they may be contacted soon and provide them with pertinent information about the job and skills you'd like them to highlight.
If you haven't heard back from the company, a rule-of-thumb is to follow up again after the timeframe they've indicated for making their decision. If no specific timeframe was provided, following up one to two weeks after the interview is generally acceptable. During the interview, remember to ask questions regarding their decision timeline, how they will contact you, and whether they have any follow-up questions for you. This information can guide your post-interview communication strategy.
It's important to keep your job search active, even after an interview. Persistently pursuing other opportunities can pay off, whether you get the job or not. Lastly, take the time to review your notes from the interview and prepare for any potential follow-up correspondence, including electronic communication such as email or video conferencing platforms.