Following up after an interview doesn't have to be difficult. All it takes is a few minutes of your time, but these few minutes could make a critical difference between landing a job and losing one. If all things with another candidate are equal, how you follow up after you walk out the door can get you noticed in a great way.
The first thing to consider is what format to use for the follow-up. Do you call? Do you send an email? Do you write a thank-you card by hand? The answer is that you use all three forms. It's when you use these methods that is important, so you need to time the follow-ups correctly.
The thank-you email should come mere minutes after your interview. Sit in your car and text a response on your smartphone before you lose your train of thought. Touch on a few points where you connected with your interviewers and explain how much you enjoyed the conversation. Make sure to thank your interviewers for their time and consideration.
The second follow-up comes with a handwritten note or card. Purchase the card on the way home from the interview. Fill it out at home, and offer sincere thanks in your note with two or three sentences. Drop it in the mail and it should arrive at the office in a day or so. The fact that you took the time to write a card by hand should impress the HR manager.
Lastly, call within the time frame specified by the interviewers. One of your last questions to the HR manager should have been, "When can I expect to hear about the position?" If the HR manager says "within a week," then you follow up by phone one week after your interview if you haven't heard anything.
Following up doesn't take long. It's a crucial element to your job interview that leaves a good impression with the company and could help you get the job.
Photo Courtesy of fantasita at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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