Tips for Following Up After the Interview

When an interviewer smiles at the end of the interview, shakes your hand and tells you that you should hear something within two weeks, that doesn't mean your work is done. You must follow up after the job interview, because your interviewer might change his mind sometime in the next two weeks.

Follow up properly to give yourself an advantage over other candidates. If all other things are equal, you might gain an edge depending on how you respond after the job interview. Try these methods of following up that can earn you points with your prospective employers.

Ask Questions

If a recruiter or HR manager does not say when you should hear something, ask about a timeline. There's nothing wrong with asking about when you should receive a response because it's a logical progression after the interview. Ask permission to follow up and then get a timeline.

Respect the Timeliness

If a recruiter says you should hear something within a week, follow up at precisely the right time. You do not need to nag the employer, nor do you even have to ask if the position has been filled yet. Respectfully inquire about your status on the day the HR manager said you should hear something.

Thank You Notes

One appropriate way to follow up immediately after an interview is with a thank you note. A thank you email can occur mere minutes after the conclusion of an interview. Address the people who interviewed you and bring up a few relevant points from your face time. Much like your cover letter, engage the person with appropriate topics.

Thank You Cards

Thank you cards come soon after any emailed notes. Cards add another level of personalization to your job search process. A physical thank you card, sent through the mail to every person who interviewed you, is a classy touch that shows you go above and beyond other candidates. Mail the cards as soon as possible after the interview so they arrive within a day or two afterward. You might even consider having thank you cards in your vehicle, already stamped and prepared to send, after you fill out a quick note following your interview.

Maintain Contact

If you do not land the job, you should maintain regular, monthly contact with the employer. The reason is that you do not know how close you might have come to getting a job. Keeping in touch maintains your professional network in case an opportunity arises later. Regular contact also keeps your name fresh in the minds of recruiters and HR professionals for future consideration for other positions that may fit you perfectly.

Follow up after an interview as a way to gain an edge and remain relevant to HR personnel responsible for hiring you. You never know how and when the extra details of your job search can affect your career, so make sure you end an interview on the right note.

Photo courtesy of lindsay at Flickr.com