I Think My Enemy Bad-Mouthed Me, Help!

Dear Experts, I got the call for a job interview last week for a position I really, really want. Yesterday, I went on the interview and thought it went brilliantly. At the end, the woman I'd be working for said, "I think you are great for this job. We have just one more person to interview, but as of right now, you are my first pick." And then, everything fell apart... As she was walking me to the door and to get the final candidate, I almost fell over - it turned out to be my absolute rival! A woman who made my life miserable at my last job. I mean, truly terrible. She's manipulative, mean-spirited and conniving. The grin across her face when she saw I was the person that just interviewed gave me chills and I thought, "No, no, no! This can't be happening!" What should I do? I'm certain she used the interview to bad-mouth me. Should I try to reach out the the hiring manager and proactively defend myself? Or, should I wait and see? I want this job so bad, but something tells me my ex co-worker has already ruined my chances. What do you suggest? Here is how the T.A.P. experts answered on Twitter:@kgrantcareersQ#122 U can't controll what ur competition is going 2 do. Focus on what u bring 2 table. Follow up w thank u note and call. @juliaericksonQ#122 Do UR best; def don't say anything 2 potential employer except "how can I convince U I'm best 4 job?" [2/2] @juliaericksonQ#122 Don't worry - she criticizes you in her interview bad 4 her; if they hire her, U wdn't want job. [1/2] @ValueIntoWordsQ#122 Echo other experts - be confident in YOU/your value. U R a great candidate. Bad-mouthers never 'win.' @gradversityQ#122 For her to even mention you would be interview suicide. Follow up with a thank you note and put her our of your mind. @sweetcareersQ#122 Proceed as tho othr candidate were anyone else: send thank you, follow up, etc. Don't let rival get to u. @dawnbugniQ#122 Ditto others. & STOP giving another human being this much power over you. Can't intimidate w/o UR permission. @resumesrevealedQ#122 Echo other experts!! Send a TY, reiterate your interest & enthusiam 4 job. Focus on ur valu. Don't mention rival. @heatherhuhmanQ#122 If she used the interview to badmouth you, I doubt she'd be hired. Don't worry about her; focus on you! Our Twitter Advice Project (T.A.P.) is no longer an active campaign. To find an answer to the above question, please use the "Search" box in the right-hand column of this website.