Difference between revisions of "Follow Up After a Job Interview"
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Following up after a job interview is an important, yet often overlooked, part of the job search process. It allows you to thank the interviewer for his or her time while also reiterating your interest in the job and your potential to positively contribute to the company. However, following-up can be a delicate process and going about it the wrong way can actually hurt your chances. This article will address the most appropriate way to follow-up after a job interview to help you stand out from the other job applicants. | Following up after a job interview is an important, yet often overlooked, part of the job search process. It allows you to thank the interviewer for his or her time while also reiterating your interest in the job and your potential to positively contribute to the company. However, following-up can be a delicate process and going about it the wrong way can actually hurt your chances. This article will address the most appropriate way to follow-up after a job interview to help you stand out from the other job applicants. | ||
| − | [[Category:Interview Skills]] | + | [[Category: Interview Skills]] |
== Steps == | == Steps == | ||
=== At the End of the Interview === | === At the End of the Interview === | ||
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#*If you leave it too long before writing your thank you note, you risk looking uninterested in the job while also giving another candidate the opportunity to get there before you. | #*If you leave it too long before writing your thank you note, you risk looking uninterested in the job while also giving another candidate the opportunity to get there before you. | ||
#*If there was a particular person who helped you to set up the job interview, you should remember to send them a note also. | #*If there was a particular person who helped you to set up the job interview, you should remember to send them a note also. | ||
| − | #*Some people advise writing a thank you note by hand. While some interviewers will appreciate this, it is somewhat outdated and other interviewers may regard it as being unprofessional. As a result, an email or typed note is your safest option in this scenario.<ref>http://www.forbes.com/pictures/ejjl45eekh/send-an-e-mail-not-a-handwritten-note-2/</ref> | + | #*Some people advise writing a thank you note by hand. While some interviewers will appreciate this, it is somewhat outdated and other interviewers may regard it as being unprofessional. As a result, an email or typed note is your safest option in this scenario.<ref name="rf16322">http://www.forbes.com/pictures/ejjl45eekh/send-an-e-mail-not-a-handwritten-note-2/</ref> |
# Make notes about the interview while it is still fresh in your mind. These notes will be useful during a second interview to help you recall [[Come Up with Good Conversation Topics|topics of conversation]] and any qualifications or personality traits that your interviewer emphasized as being important for this position. | # Make notes about the interview while it is still fresh in your mind. These notes will be useful during a second interview to help you recall [[Come Up with Good Conversation Topics|topics of conversation]] and any qualifications or personality traits that your interviewer emphasized as being important for this position. | ||
#*They will help you to tailor your responses should you be called to a second interview, or may give you some indication of where you went wrong if you are not. | #*They will help you to tailor your responses should you be called to a second interview, or may give you some indication of where you went wrong if you are not. | ||
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#*This step should always be executed through email or letter, never by phone call. Calling your interviewer to ask why you didn't get the job may put them in an uncomfortable position and rule you out of any future open positions with the company. | #*This step should always be executed through email or letter, never by phone call. Calling your interviewer to ask why you didn't get the job may put them in an uncomfortable position and rule you out of any future open positions with the company. | ||
=== What to Avoid === | === What to Avoid === | ||
| − | # Don't harass the company. Being over-eager and bombarding the company with follow-up emails and phone calls is not a good idea and can actually harm your chances of getting the position. Follow the three-strike rule - one thank you note, a lengthy thank you letter, and a follow-up email or phone call to find out whether a decision has been made. If you get no response from any of these three, you are better off quitting while you're ahead and moving on with the job search.<ref>http://www.forbes.com/pictures/ejjl45eekh/if-you-dont-hear-back-pick-up-the-phone-2/</ref> | + | # Don't harass the company. Being over-eager and bombarding the company with follow-up emails and phone calls is not a good idea and can actually harm your chances of getting the position. Follow the three-strike rule - one thank you note, a lengthy thank you letter, and a follow-up email or phone call to find out whether a decision has been made. If you get no response from any of these three, you are better off quitting while you're ahead and moving on with the job search.<ref name="rf16323">http://www.forbes.com/pictures/ejjl45eekh/if-you-dont-hear-back-pick-up-the-phone-2/</ref> |
#*Whatever you do, don't fill up your interviewers inbox with daily emails or leave long-winded messages or his or her voicemail, as this will definitely won't win you any favors. | #*Whatever you do, don't fill up your interviewers inbox with daily emails or leave long-winded messages or his or her voicemail, as this will definitely won't win you any favors. | ||
| − | # Don't go to the company in person, unless invited. Showing up at the company uninvited is a definite no-no. It puts pressure on the hiring manager or interviewer to speak with you, even though the timing may be very inconvenient for them. It also puts them in a very awkward position if you ''didn't'' get the position and they are forced to tell you in person. Either way, it reflects badly on you and you should avoid at all costs. This advice also goes for delivering thank you notes in person - just don't do it.<ref name="ladders" | + | # Don't go to the company in person, unless invited. Showing up at the company uninvited is a definite no-no. It puts pressure on the hiring manager or interviewer to speak with you, even though the timing may be very inconvenient for them. It also puts them in a very awkward position if you ''didn't'' get the position and they are forced to tell you in person. Either way, it reflects badly on you and you should avoid at all costs. This advice also goes for delivering thank you notes in person - just don't do it.<ref name="ladders" /> |
# Don't avoid the follow-up letter or phone call. Some people erroneously think they should just wait for a decision and not bother the interviewer. This is not the correct tactic. Many companies deliberately wait before hiring to see who follows up after the interview in a professional manner, and who is really hungry for the position. As long as you abide by the three-strike rule, following-up is a positive and strategic move which may be instrumental in securing you a position with the company. | # Don't avoid the follow-up letter or phone call. Some people erroneously think they should just wait for a decision and not bother the interviewer. This is not the correct tactic. Many companies deliberately wait before hiring to see who follows up after the interview in a professional manner, and who is really hungry for the position. As long as you abide by the three-strike rule, following-up is a positive and strategic move which may be instrumental in securing you a position with the company. | ||
=== Sample Thank You Notes === | === Sample Thank You Notes === | ||
