Keep in mind: you are unique, your interview experience is unique, and your response must be uniquely yours.
It’s perfectly fine to take a few notes during an interview and especially smart to recap an interview in notes to your file. Use your notes to identify points to reinforce, objections you hope to overcome or new information that supports your candidacy.
Before you start your first draft: think about your meeting with this person – keep this picture in your mind as you begin with an outline of the points you wish to make.
Once you have an outline of these points, start writing. Be natural – write what you wish to say. Use words you would use in a conversation. Don’t fuss over how you say what you want to convey in the first draft. The first draft is to get your message down.
When your first draft is finished, take a break…do something else. Return to the document with a critical eye. What can you cut? How can you convey your point with fewer words? Is your message clear and concise? Does every word add value? Brevity without loss of meaning is the objective of a second draft.
Ask for a second opinion if you are uncertain and uncomfortable with what you’ve said. Ask your spouse, a friend or a coach for feedback on your message.
Ask someone you trust to proofread your note – don’t trust spell check to make the necessary corrections!
