It doesn’t matter if you found the job through LinkedIn, Gumtree, GlassDoor, an international website, your local newspaper, or by networking with your next door neighbor. You should always treat the job interview with utmost important, as it’s your best opportunity to convince the company that you’re a good match. But the interview doesn’t end when you walk out the door. It is especially important in the business world, more so than in other fields, to follow up after the interview. Here’s what to do:
“When can I expect to hear from you?”
Most larger companies will tell you this at the end as part of the interviewing routine, but smaller companies may not, so you’ll have to ask. The way you word this particular question is important, and it’s based on the job for which you’re applying. If it’s a sales position, you’ll want to demonstrate that you can be assertive and sell yourself, so a “Where do we go from here?” or even “When should I contact you again?” may be acceptable. However, for other jobs, a less aggressive “What is your next step in the hiring process?” is appropriate. The answer will let you know how soon you should contact the company if you don’t hear back.
Send Out Thank You Letters
This is a somewhat dated practice, but hiring managers still say that a thank you note can help influence their decision when trying to choose between two very qualified candidates. Experts are conflicted in their opinions on whether it is best to send a handwritten or emailed note. Some say that a handwritten note makes you stand out from the rest, while others say that emailed notes show that you’re tech-savvy and up-to-date with modern communication practices. Take your cue from the company: If they sent you an invitation to interview through email, it’s probably best to have most of your communication with them through email, including thank you notes. Send the note as soon as possible, on the same day as the interview, and preferably within an hour after the interview ends. When writing the note, make sure to mention something specific that was discussed in the interview: “I was delighted to discuss how my past skills could be useful in the implementation of project XYZ that your company is soon launching.”
Two Emails, One Phone Call
If you don’t hear back from the company within the time it specified, business experts recommend implementing the “three strikes” policy. Send two emails, both a few days apart, and then, only if you don’t get a response, call the company. Make your emails relatively brief and friendly, and make sure you include your name and the position you’re applying for (the interviewer’s memory might be a bit rusty at that point.) If you call, have a script prepared beforehand, and, again, make it brief.
Even If You Don’t Get the Job…
Keep in contact with the employer occasionally. There are several ways to do this: you could follow their Facebook page, if they have one, or add them on LinkedIn. Another option is to occasionally send emails to the hiring manager that are unrelated to you getting a job: an interesting article relevant to the company, for example. This has two benefits: not only does it keep you up to date about the company’s developments (and any positions that may come open in the future), it also keeps you fresh in the employer’s mind.
Lastly, when following up, make sure that you are never annoying or rude. Searching for a job can be a stressful process, but you don’t want to ever take out your negative emotions on someone who could be your future employer.