Two steps that are often overlooked after the interview include a letter to thank the interviewer and a call to follow-up on the interview. The letter should be delivered to ensure it gets to interviewer within three days, while you can call the day after the interview or even the same day, to enquire about steps needed for securing the job.

Apart from the above steps in securing the job, you can also get one of the persons who wrote a letter of recommendation to call the interviewer and give a good word on your behalf. Once you have passed the interview, you should stay in contact at least once a week. Your determination should however, not lead to a pushy attitude.

You can ask the interviewer who will make the decision on hiring and contact the person right away.

Once you receive an offer after interviewing at several companies, you can use the first offer to generate other offers. Contact the other companies and inform them that you received an offer from company XYZ. If it is an excellent employer with high paying rates, the other companies may not compete by offering you a job. You may however, get two or three additional offers to select from. Don't just accept the first offer unless it is your ideal company.

If you know of someone else who refused an offer, call the hiring manager from the particular company immediately since there is an obvious opening that needs to filled.

Negotiation for securing the job

When you receive an offer, you can start negotiating terms such as benefits and salary. Don't bring any salary demands before you have a formal offer. Use the guidelines on negotiation for securing the job to get the most from the offer. You can take the opportunity to enquire about promotion possibilities, additional benefits, salary increases, health insurance, performance appraisal procedures etc.

The salary amount may be important, but it should not be your main or only concern. Other terms to consider when negotiation is done for securing the job include:

• Working hours - how many hours per week or month?
• Overtime payment - what is the tax on overtime and will you be paid for working after hours?
• Health insurance - will the company pay half of your monthly contributions and what is the extent of the coverage?
• Insurance - what insurance is offered for traveling, professional liability, life and disabilities?
• Leave - how many consecutive days leave do you get and when are you expected to take the leave? Can untaken leave be used at a later stage?
• Sick leave and compassionate leave - what is the terms and how many days per year?
• Public holidays - do you have to work on public holidays and if so what is the salary for working on those days?
• Stocks - can you as an employee get shares in the company and how can you redeem them?
• Training - what in-house training is provided and will the company subsidize additional education and training?
• Does the company subsidize your transport or provide a company car?
• Is there a gym or gym benefits?
• What pension plan is offered?
• If you have children will the company pay, subsidize or provide day care facilities?
• What type of incentives does the company offer?
• Do you get a thirteenth check or bonuses?
• If you are expected to relocate, will the company pay for all the costs?

If you are satisfied with the company's benefits, salary and terms, you can accept the job offer and have succeeded in securing the job after the interview.