How do you maintain a positive impression after a consulting interview?

1 Send a thank-you note

One of the simplest and most effective ways to maintain a positive impression after a consulting interview is to send a thank-you note to your interviewer. A thank-you note is a short and personalized message that expresses your appreciation for the opportunity, your enthusiasm for the position, and your key strengths and fit for the firm. You should send a thank-you note within 24 hours of your interview, preferably by email, and tailor it to each interviewer you met. Avoid generic or overly flattering language and focus on specific aspects of the conversation that you enjoyed or learned from.

2 Ask relevant questions

Another way to show your interest and engagement after a consulting interview is to ask relevant questions that demonstrate your curiosity and research about the firm, the industry, or the project. You can include one or two questions in your thank-you note or follow up with another email after a few days. However, make sure that your questions are not too basic, intrusive, or repetitive, and that they reflect your genuine desire to learn more about the consulting role and the firm's culture and values. For example, you can ask about the typical career path, the feedback process, the current challenges or opportunities, or the best practices or resources for your development.

3 Update your interviewer on your status

If you are interviewing with multiple firms or have other offers or deadlines, it is important to update your interviewer on your status and intentions. This will help you maintain a transparent and respectful communication and avoid any misunderstandings or conflicts. You can inform your interviewer about your other interviews or offers in a polite and professional manner, without revealing too much detail or putting pressure on them. You can also reiterate your interest and preference for their firm and ask about their timeline and next steps. However, do not lie or exaggerate about your situation or try to negotiate or leverage your offers before you receive a final decision.

4 Address any concerns or gaps

Sometimes, you may feel that you did not perform well on a certain part of the interview or that you did not convey your full potential or fit for the role. In that case, you can use the follow-up communication as an opportunity to address any concerns or gaps that you or your interviewer may have. You can briefly acknowledge your weaknesses or mistakes and explain how you would improve or handle them differently in the future. You can also highlight your strengths or achievements that are relevant to the role or the firm and provide additional evidence or examples to support them. However, do not be defensive or negative and avoid making excuses or blaming others.

5 Stay connected and engaged

Finally, one of the best ways to maintain a positive impression after a consulting interview is to stay connected and engaged with your interviewer and the firm until you receive a final outcome. You can follow up with your interviewer every week or two to express your continued interest and enthusiasm, to share any updates or news, or to ask for any feedback or advice. You can also connect with them on LinkedIn or other professional platforms and follow the firm's social media accounts or newsletters to stay informed about their activities and achievements. However, do not be too pushy or annoying and respect their time and availability. Remember that your follow-up communication should be courteous, concise, and consistent.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?