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Interview Follow-Up: The Do’s and Don’ts

interview-follow-up-dos-dontsBy Adrienne Erin
Online Career Tips, Contributor

Get ready for the post-holiday hiring rush! If it’s that time of year for you to start fresh then make sure you’re going about the interview process the right way. The first thing you’ll need to get out of the way is the interview, and then you can move on to the quizzical follow-up.

Congratulations – you’ve made it through the dreaded job interview. You impressed the hiring manager with your skills and expertise. You asked insightful questions demonstrating a thorough knowledge of your industry. You even discovered you both have a passion for French existential literature. But now that the interview is over, what can you do to boost your candidacy and get to the next step of the hiring process – and hopefully an offer? If you’re looking to gently remind an employer that you are the perfect candidate after an interview, there are some right and wrong ways to do so. Here are some tips for following up with an employer after an interview, without driving anyone (including yourself) crazy.

Do: Send a Thank-You Note After the Interview

You may think that your resume and interview performance speak for themselves, but employers still expect candidates to follow up with a thank-you note after an interview. This shows that you are responsible and follow through on things; in addition, it reinforces that you want the job. The format for the note can depend on the company’s culture. One survey found that 87 percent of hiring managers find e-mailed thank-you notes to be acceptable. For a more formal environment, you can’t go wrong with a handwritten note. Or, combine the two formats: send a brief thank-you e-mail immediately after the interview, followed by a snail-mailed note with a more detailed reminder of why you’re such a good fit for the position that will arrive a few days later.

Don’t: Follow up with Texts or Social Media

Texting may be a great way to make coffee plans with a friend, but it’s way too informal (and intrusive) for job hunting. The same survey found that only 10 percent of hiring managers found texting to be an acceptable way to express thanks after an interview. If, for some reason, you do decide to text, avoid unprofessional abbreviations (“thank u for the interview”) or emoticons. Also, avoid sending the employer a friend request on social media sites after the interview. Just because you had a great conversation with a manager at a Harrisburg web design company, doesn’t mean she will appreciate receiving your friend request on Facebook. Following up in this way implies you don’t respect boundaries and intrudes on people’s personal lives.

Do: Follow up Again After the Decision Date Has Passed

When interviewing for a job, be sure to ask when the employer intends to make a hiring decision. Once this date has come and gone, it’s perfectly acceptable to e-mail or even call to find out if the position has been filled or if you are still being considered.  Don’t assume that someone else was hired just because you haven’t received an offer by the specified date. Hiring managers get busy, key decision-makers go on vacation, and things sometimes slip through the cracks. Following up at this point reminds the hiring manager that you are still interested in the position, and gives you another chance to express your enthusiasm and qualifications for the job.

Don’t: Annoy the Employer with Constant Communication

Unfortunately, once you’ve called or e-mailed after the decision date, the ball is in the employer’s court. Remember that employers are swamped with other non-hiring responsibilities, and returning an endless string of calls is not something they have the time or inclination to do. So, sit back and try to distract yourself while you wait for their call. One great distraction is to keep updating your resume and apply for relevant positions. You might just find the perfect job while you wait!

Following up after an interview is a necessary step. While it can be hard to find that balance between expressing your enthusiasm and leading the employer to dodge your calls, with a little strategy and finesse, you can make sure you stay on the employer’s radar when they are ready to make that final decision.

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