How a proper follow-up after the job interview

After a job interview, the long wait begins. You think everything went well. The interviewer complimented his fancy resume, laughed at your little GDP joke, and vowed to get back to you ASAP. A week goes by, however, and he’s not sure what to think. When and how should a job opportunity be followed up?

Tag Tracking

An interview is a business transaction. The interviewer asks questions, evaluates your work history, and gets to know you on a personal level. In return, you learn about the opportunity, ask about the company’s goals and resources, and decide if you think it might fit your experience.

It is recommended to prepare for follow-up as soon as you get home from the interview. Take notes about your discussion during the interview, the people we spoke to, and any memorable events or conversation topics. That way, you won’t forget the key details at the time during the follow-up. We’ve made a list of the most important situations a job seeker should follow up on.

Post-interview thank-you note

You don’t have to wait several weeks to follow up after an interview. In fact, former career counselor Kathryn Lee Bazan reports against her. Instead, send a thank you note after the interview so the hiring manager keeps her name on top of her mind.

Don’t write a 10-page rule that details your work history or a play-by-play interview discussion. Keep the thank you note to a couple of well-written sentences. You can follow this formula to stay on track:

Dear [Interviewer Name],

[A sentence thanking the interviewer for meeting with you.]

[A list sentence of two or three of your qualifications that align with the position and job responsibilities.]

[A phrase that explains why you are a great fit for company culture, goals, or industry.]

Sincerely,

[Your name]

Handwritten notes garner better responses than cold, informal emails. Just be sure to write legibly. Drop the note in the mail and hope for the best.

LinkedIn connection

Another way to follow up with interviewers is on social media. Send the interviewer a request to connect on LinkedIn, but make sure your profile looks professional and thorough before hitting the connect button. Adding a photograph to your profile will help remind the interviewer who you are and why he or she likes you.

This simple follow-up option serves three purposes: keeping your name on the interviewer’s mind, increasing your LinkedIn network, and ensuring that your name could appear for future opportunities if this job doesn’t work out.

If possible, ask the interviewer about the connection on LinkedIn before leaving the interview. Hopefully, you’ve established common ground with the hiring manager, so the request shouldn’t come out of nowhere. Maybe you both love hockey or knitting. Use that connection to foster a relationship.

When you submit the application to LinkedIn, talk about something personal about the interview. Don’t just send a generic request without a personalized message. You have no idea how many people the hiring manager interviewed or meets during any given week. Make sure he or she will remember.

After not hearing information about a job

Maybe the interviewer told you to expect a decision in a week, but two have passed. Now is the time to get in touch. Send a short email or give the interviewer a call. Whenever possible, ask about the communication preferences of the manager you employ during the interview itself. Just ask, “If I have any questions, how do I prefer to contact you?” Or “Can I call or email to register? Which one is the best for you? ”

Simply express your interest in the opportunity and invite the interviewer to contact you. Don’t demand an answer or make a plague of yourself. In most cases, an additional follow-up after the thank you note will suffice.

To recover from a bad interview

Sometimes interviews don’t go as well as you’d like. Maybe you made a misstep tag, or maybe you botched the answer to a critical question. Muse writer advises using tracking to correct interview mistakes.

“One of the key elements of damage control is being able to recover in a concise way.”

In other words, resist the urge to babble about your mistake and the reasons behind it. Instead, offer a short explanation or summary that the hiring manager may want.

For example, if you forgot to mention a key responsibility in a previous job, just say something along the lines of: “When you asked me about my job at ABC Company, I didn’t tell you about it. of my key role in training new employees. Our sales staff improved 65 percent this quarter. ”

Use the thank you note for this information, but don’t overdo it. Do not write more than two or three sentences. You don’t have to apologize or explain minor setbacks. Do you hit a water bottle or accidentally trip in the hallway? Not even say it. Otherwise, the interviewer may see how insecure or socially awkward, which could ruin any chance of getting the job.

After being rejected for the job

What if you don’t get the job? After licking your wounds and rage against the world, you may want to follow up. You never know when an opportunity will present itself. By painting yourself in a kind, sensitive light, the interviewer can remember and regain contact.

After a hiring manager informs you that the company has decided to go “in a different direction,” send a short thank you note. Express your appreciation for the opportunity to meet with him or her and invite the company to keep your resume on file.

Never try to change the hiring manager’s mind or ask about the reasons for his decision. You can, however, ask if the interviewer has any advice for future opportunities. He or she can offer guidance to nail your next interview.

After a second interview

If you are applying for a job in senior management or if you are going to work for multiple supervisors, an interview could not cut it. Follow-up after subsequent interviewers should follow the same guidelines outlined above. Just make sure that you are as short and concise as possible.

If you are interviewed by multiple people, send individual thank you cards. That way, each person feels appreciated.

Track a habit

Following up after an email causes stress for many job seekers. If you stick to accepted etiquette rules, however, you will find the process painless and intuitive. Most sales are made on the fifth follow-up – feel free to be persistent.