Successful Job Interviews - Get the Job of Your Dreams with Post-Interview Follow-up
92
Follow Up -- Don't Drop the Ball!
© Patty Inglish, MS 2005 - 2012. All rights reserved.
After you have done all the hard work of preparing a resume and cover letter, applying for a job, researching the company thoroughly and then completing a fantastically good interview, don't just leave and hope they call you! Your interview is really not finished yet. You need to do some post-interview follow-up.
Just as a good golf swing has good follow through, good interviewing has good follow-up. Even if you don't want the job, so the follow-up in order to make good business contacts for the future.
[In case you missed it --successful manners and etiquette for job interviews ]: Etiquette for the Interview
What Should I Do After The Interview?
There are several more good things that you can do to help yourself have the best chance of winning the job for which you just interviewed. Here they are:
Interview Follow-Up Tips and Suggestions for Success in Obtaining Your Dream Job
Take interview follow-up very seriously as a strategic part of landing the job of your dreams.
Follow-up all interviews, even if they did not go as well as you expected, or you decided that you did not want the job. Interview follow-up will definitely place you ahead of other job candidates who interviewed for the same job, all other things being equal. Among equally-qualified candidates, the person hired will be the one who did the best and most sincere interview follow-up.
Follow-up well in a timely manner, but do not make yourself look or sound desperate for the job. If you seem desperate, then your potential new employer may develop the idea that you have poor planning skills and ran out of money, that there is substantial reason that no one else has hired you, and/or that perhaps you were fired from your last job or all of them. Your new employer would not want employees who let things deteriorate to the point of desperation, whether it is as complex an issue as a bankruptcy or as simple as running out of toilet paper for the company bathrooms and forgetting to order it.
At the end of your interview, ask the interviewer or panel of interviewers 1) when they will make their decision, and 2) when you might expect a call for a second interview.
Write down the correct names and titles of every individual who interviewed you, in addition to the receptionist, personal assistant, or executive secretary who served you. Request their business cards or make notes of their information in a small notebook. Interviewers, and even company presidents, will ask the receptionist what he or she thought of you as a job candidate and as a person. Make a good impression on everyone there.
PROPER FOLLOW-UP
- Send a Thank You note card to the receptionist of the company with which you spoke. Reception duties can be tedious and taxing and a little appreciation is not only compassionate, but makes you a remembered job candidate who will receive better telephone follow-up service than average through this individual.
- Write Thank You note cards or short letters to each Interviewer with whom you spoke within 24 hours. I mail these the same evening at my nearest post office branch, from which mail is collected beginning at 5:00 AM. Often, the notes are received the next day in my town. Individualize the notes. You may wish to send email Thank You's as well, especially within IT firms where email is checked frequently. In 2011, I still send hard-copy Thank You's, because it shows class, appreciation, and good manners..
- Write thank you notes after every interview, even if you do not want to job. This will help make you known in the business world and ensure a growing number of good business and personal contacts for you.
- Find out whether snail mail, email, or FAX is the best way to get hold of the Interviewer(s). Ask the Receptionist -- You can also car this person for correct name spellings. Proofread your thank-you letters or cards before sending them and make 100% sure that there are no grammar or spelling errors.
- In your Thank-You letters, write that you appreciate the company's interest in you and re-state why you think you are the best candidate for the job.
- Call all your references and tell them they may be contacted. Ideally, you should talk to them before you apply for jobs and ask their permission to use their names, addresses and phone numbers.
- Continue to search for jobs and go on interviews, even if a particular interview went so well that you think the company is definitely going to hire you. You do not know that for sure, and you do not want to lose momentum in the job market while you are waiting for a job/company that hired someone else.
- Even if you are hired by the company that you expect to hire you, you can use additional interviews to gather information and to make good business contacts long-term. Further, if the job you receive does not work out, you will have ready contacts to help you secure your next one.
- Stay visible in your business by continuing to look for other job and career opportunities, even after you have been hired. Stay informed about the job market and your industry, because you will be able to use the information to help yourself and others.
- Do additional interview follow-up after the thank-you letters or notes have been received. Allow 48-72 hours after mailing, then make a telephone call to the Interviewer and ask about the position. Re-state your assets during your telephone calls.
- Be patient, but persistent. The hiring process can seem a long one. This is especially true of jobs in the educational system or those connected with the city, county, state, or federal governments. These entities, as well as the Board of Directors of non-profit organizations and of some commercial enterprises must vote on job candidates. If they have a meeting only once a month, then results are delayed. Follow-up with the Interviewer by telephone once a week during a long-term process. Continue follow-up efforts until the job is filled. If an employer tells you that it may take 30 to 60 days to fill a position, you can call once a week.
- Do not forget about the company if you do not receive a job offer or the job-offer package does not work out for you. Keep that firm and its staff as important business contacts.
- Small employers are as important as large corporations for business contacts. Add your Interviewer into your business circle, such as on LinkedIn at http://www.linkedin.com. Ask them to keep you in their circle for future referrals.
- You can use job interviews to gain important information for your future about business trends, plans in the future for certain companies, etc., not only for obtaining a new job.
| No Photo |
Formal Christmas Thank you Cards - 8 Cards -- FREE SHIPPING
Current Bid: $3.99
|
|
Burgoyne Handmade Formal Thank You Greeting Card - NEW
Current Bid: $3.99
|
|
THANK YOU NOTE CARDS FOR PARTIES GRADUATION AND MORE ~ U CHOOSE
Current Bid: $2.99
|
|
Pet Dog Cat Play Exercise Pen Playpen w/Carry Case 4S
Current Bid: $48.44
|
|
CROSS MEDALIST 23KT GOLD & POLISHED CHROME PEN PENCIL SET $60 NEW GIFT
Current Bid: $14.99
|
THANK YOU LETTERS and THANK YOU CARDS
You must use your judgment about whether to write letters, use email, or prepare handwritten thank-you cards for interview follow-up. However, it is always wise to send a handwritten letter or card and then quickly follow it with one of the other methods of contact and thanks.
Personally, I prepare word processed thank-you letters for the interviewer(s) and do a handwritten notecard to the receptionist. I have used email letters in the past, but actually find them less formal and less satisfactory when I receive them. In fact, as an interviewing and/or hiring manager in the recent past, I found these emails to be usually poorly-worded, trite, slangy, shallow, and even flippant. A well worded and sincere email thank-you is acceptable, especailly if you send a handwritten note simultaneously. I usually mail hard copy letters or and/or fax them.
FIVE ESSENTIALS TO REMEMBER
- Show good etiquette and good manners in using proper titles, punctuation, grammar and spelling.
- Near the beginning, show verbal appreciation for the company's interest in you.
- Re-state your interest in the job and the company, but without sounding desperate.
- Re-state your qualifications for the position and add anything you forgot in the interview.
- Enclose any information the interviewer asked you for, including references or other materials.
SAMPLES
 | Amazon Price: $9.97 |
 | Amazon Price: $16.99 |
EXAMPLE
Date (May Day, Year)
Your Name
Your Address
City, State, Zip Code
Your Phone Number / Your Cell Number
Your Email Address
.
Interviewer Name
Interviewer Title
Organization Name
Organization Address
City, State, Zip Code
.
Dear Mr./Ms. Last Name:
Thank you very much for providing time from your busy schedule to talk with me about the Sales Manager position at McDonald's Blinds and Shades. I truly appreciate your time and consideration in interviewing me and feel that I am a perfect fit for this position.
After speaking with you, I know that I will excel in the job duties in a way that will bring an increased customer base and increasing revenues to your company. In addition, my enthusiasm for the work and managing people will bring higher motivation levels and results overall to the sales team.
I am very interested in working for you and look forward to hearing from you soon regarding this position. Please feel free to contact me if you need any further information. My cell phone number is (xxx) xxx-xxxx and I carry it with me at all times.
Thank you again for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Your Signature
Your Typed Name
CC: file
FOLLOW-UP SECRETS
 | Amazon Price: $6.85 List Price: $15.95 |
 | Amazon Price: $5.16 List Price: $19.99 |
 | Amazon Price: $8.80 List Price: $21.99 |
More Comments!
Dear Readers - I appreciate each and every one of your comments. This article has had so many good posts, that I've archived a few hundred. Keep asking questions and I'll continue answering to the best of my knowledge and experience.
Cheers!
Patty
vote upvote downshareprintflag
- Useful (18)
- Funny (1)
- Awesome (5)
- Beautiful
- Interesting (3)
Comments & AdditionsLoading...
Patty ...I am having issues sending this e-mail...who is your e-mail address with?
sure - send it to my contact link above in the right sidebar.
thank you for the comments...any chance you would look at it before we send it? lol
Two things this could be:
1) A Simon Cowell type of moment in which the CEO really knows that your husband would not work out
OR
2) A test of character - that is, how easily does your husband give up? That's important in the emerging aerospace sector that needs top production!
ACTION:
Suggest to your husband that he email the CEO with cc's to the Vice President and anyone else that interviewed him. In this email, he should ask what actions he might take at this point to better qualify himself for the job. Include statements that he is determined and excited to work in the aerospace field.
NOTES:
Production must be at a high rate that your husband must ensure, since production efficiency is down overall in the USA compared to that of 2011. Production must be accurate and on time to save costs. Accuracy saved lives as well, remembering the faulty O-ring on Shuttle Challenger! Wastes of production must be eliminated. Workers must be highly motivated themselves and further coached by the Production Supervisor. This supervisor should also be able to suggest innovations to help propel the production, profits, and image of the company. The supervisor must be excited about his work.
Production Supervisors in aerospace businesses are charged with a massive duty. Put these thoughts in mind before the letter is written.
My husband just got done with an interview process with a huge aerospace company owned by a billionaire. He is laid off at the present. The recruitment department for this company spent 4 months, 20 or so hours interviewing him (a total of 4 interviews.) After telling him they felt he was just what the company was looking for, getting shining recommendations from his business references, passing the background checks with flying colors, and meeting with the vice-president, he as requested to meet with the CEO ho after less than 20 minutes decided my husband "was not what they were looking for". This was his ultimate dream job and is having a difficult time understanding this. It was a Production Supervisor position and rare for CEO's to be involved at this level. If this ere you, would you be persistent and write a letter to appeal to him over his decision or is it groveling too much??? Would you re-apply with this company? We got the idea even the recruitment team as a bit crushed and disappointed.
Great Hub with great tips. Very useful for job seekers.
This is a good hub for those of us who live in hope. I have never been one to complain about the job market or be ruled by the media's reporting of gloom and doom in the financial sector and the GFC. I am slightly disturbed that we all call it the GFC but that is another idea and I am getting off track. My point is that if we simply act professional and follow the steps and as you say be patient. The right job will be made available to us. Thanks for such a well crafted hub. Cheers F.
It is good to work together!
Patty, this is a great Hub. Voted up and useful for sure! I am adding a link to my hub "How to Interview for a Job Brilliantly". It will be the "icing on the cake"! :)
Yes, I'd call up and ask. That way you will know for sure. It is always risky to announce to one possible employer that you have an offer from another employer. Best of luck, though.
Hi Patty
Great article! I had a question that I would appreciate your help with.
I applied for a position at a university in January, and they got in touch with me during the middle of March to arrange a phone interview. That appeared to go well and they said they'd get back to me the following week. In the meantime I received a job offer from another place, but I felt that my skills and interests lay in the job at the university. I contacted one of the interviewers for a status update, and was told that the final decision would be made by the Head of the School, who was still deciding. However, the Head was very interested in my application. I mentioned that I'd received a job offer elsewhere but that I much preferred the job at the university, and within half an hour a second interview with the Head was arranged for the following Monday. I attended that interview, and it *seemed* to go well (although there's always room for improvement!) When I asked about hiring decisions the Head said that I was one of two final candidates, that he would be making a decision at the end of the week and that they would want the successful candidate to start the following week (this week). It is now Tuesday and I haven't heard back from them. I'm thinking that I wasn't successful, but should I ring the Head of School to see if a final decision has indeed been made? Many thanks in advance. Sazza
I think you should try the direct approach - call and say that you are really interested in the company, have been turned down by the computer system several times, and would very much like to come in and talk with someone. Ask to talk about jobs available and ask advice on your resume. That's a sort of informational interview. The worst that can happen is they say No. The best is that they help you. interview you, and offer you a job!
(Un)Fortunately, I can now see via online how many resumes I have had with the same company, submitting each new resume with each new job opening. Each previous job entry I've applied for announces the job number has been filled.
I'm totally okay with this company's automated emails thanking me for my interest in the job and letting me know someone else got the position.
My total rejections so far for this single company now stands at eight. The good part is I can see where I may have gone wrong and can correct any errors or fill in any missing information. The bad, of course, is I'm now reminded that this company has turned me down eight times.
This last time was particularly hurtful because the position didn't get filled, but rather, the position got reposted. Ouch. Officially, the online "Status" box says my "application is in progress."
I have never contacted this company's human resources personally, but now I'd like to give them a call. For my questions to you, Patty, let's pretend that I really am qualified for the position. I can not tell them I'm checking on the status of my application because it clearly says the status on their webpage. I'd like to convince them that I'm a worthy candidate. Does the squeaky wheel get the grease, even after eight times rejected, and a reposted job? What, if anything, can I say to have them take another look at me?
Excellent points made, Patty. Wishing success to all those in their followup interviews! Thanks for sharing.,
It's rather in poor taste to quit your present job so soon after beginning, because your company has already invested some time and money into training you and/or setting you firmly in position of team leader. If salary is your first priority, then choose the company that you feel pays the best wages and benefits - this sounds like the first company. At the same time, if you quit your current position and go to the first company and find that working there is unsatisfactory after all, you will not be able to go back to the second company.
A Thank You note has helped me to land at least two jobs when all else was equal. I mailed one by snailmail and the other I FAXED. Both worked well, because I was sincere in wanting to be employed by these particularly companies. The other candidates did not send thanks yous at all.
I wish I had known this when applying for previous positions. What a difference a well worded "Thank You" letter makes! Great advice! :)
Hope it all helps if you have another one!
Great infomation to refresh my memory on what is proper.it has been twenty eight years since my last interview.Have a great day.
The company may also be bringing other people back in to observe workers, but a company spending time in this way with a applicant or applicants is a sign they are interested in applicant abilities. Sometimes, though, a company will take an applicant's presentation, or in your case, questions and and observations and use them from then on without hiring the person.
Do a good job when you observe, but don't give away all of your knowledge and skills in that one event. Best success to you!
I have a question. I just had an interview the other day. I can tell it went really well and just from the interviewer's attitude, they were highly interested in me. In fact, the interviewer was so impressed with how much research I did of their business, they asked me where I came up with the questions I came up, it's stuff they never heard of anyone asking. I wrote them a thank you note after the interview in which they replied a few hours later, which I was surprised. They said to me in person that they had more interviews to do during the week that I wouldn't hear anything until the following week. But, they literally answered me within the same day I did the interview. They would like me to come back in to their office and observe other people working, and to ask any questions; to see if I am a good fit for them, and if it's something I want to do. When you get that far, does it seem like they are leaning more towards hiring me? And is there anything I should do to impress them even more when I go in to observe their business operations?
Embassy jobs and government jobs in general can take up to three months between the first interview and the background check to be completed. I think you are till in the running for the job. It is difficult to simply wait, but best of success to you!
Dear Patti, i attended an interview at the US Embassy here in my country Nigeria on the 25th of january 2012, i may have done well cause the head of panel after the interview told me that there will be second interviews after the background check which takes a while as she put it and i shouldnt panic at all if i dont hear from them in time, she explained the security process to me and how time consuming it is, they even handed me some of their embassy publicaions to take home which i found so kind. she was so sweet and nice and it made want to work there. Its 1month and 2 weeks and yet no news or call from them. I feel so nervous and panicked. What do you think Patti? I called the section last week and was informed by the secretary that the head of panel had been away fo 2weeks and just got in. I was also told by some person in there that i took her number after the interview that the head of panel told them that i did so well,
,
Goo luck to you!
Great job Patty Inglish, MS .... Was going for an interview .... very much important tips ......
thanks and keep the good work up ...
Either day would be fine - something is holding up the process.
Patty, I interviewed for a better role in the organization I am working at currently. My boss even referred me to the department manager. The hiring manager flew out to interview me. I thought it went extremely well, it was over breakfast but took an hour and forty minutes. I thought I nailed the interview. He said he would make a decision within the month. I sent a thank you email that night. I didnt hear anything and then my current boss followed up before I did. The hiring manager then sent me an email saying that "the process is taking a little longer" and he would for sure have a decision by the beginning of this week. It is Monday night and I have not heard back. Should I call him Tuesday late afternoon or wait until Wednesday morning to follow up? Thank you
http://pattyinglishms.hubpages.com/_1r3fmreysh6f/h
Excellent points made, Patty. Wishing success to all those in their followup interviews!
It is good to hear that these ideas are useful and really help readers. Thanks!
Hi Patty Inglish, As always your hubs are world class... Whenever i visit your hubs learn so many things .... thanks .... great info .....
This is interesting, because ancient China had a long tradition of awarding civil service jobs to the best writer!
I am thinking that you may be asked to write a solution to a problem encountered in the business field of the company. This could be coming up with a new product or service, or something to improve operations. It could be designing a first draft budget for a project or how to handle personnel problems. Think of ways you would organize your knowledge of various areas into an outline now and the writing exam will be simpler when you do it.
Please let us know what they had you write, if you have time. It should be nothing personal, though - about your family, etc.
Patty-
I have been called back for a second interview for a professional position, and I have been advised that there will also be a writing test to be administered while I am there. I haven't done this in the past, but it seems to be an increasingly popular practice. What should I expect?
Thanks.
You can go with an email now to the most important interviewer(s), ask if they need any additional info and if they can tell you when the hiring decision will be made. Best of luck to you!
Hi patty,
had an interview last a week ago and was told they will get back to me this week,i have sent a thank you note to the interviewers,however,i haven"t heard from them,do i send a follow-up mail now ,or do i wait ?thank you
I think it's safe to shoot them another email restating that you are eager to beging work with their company and asking if you can provide any additional information; then asking when the hiring decision might be made. Good luck!
Patty, great read!! I would love some advice.
I posted my resume on Dice. I received a call from a company's HR. We scheduled and I had a phone interview with HR. The next step was a technical interview with the hiring manager over the phone. They followed that up with a 3rd interview. The 3rd interview I went into the office and interviewed with 3 people in the office as well as 3 others at remote sites via video conferencing. I felt like everything went really well! I asked before I left when they intended to make a decision, they said as quickly as possible. That night after the 3rd interview I sent a thank you email to those who were conducting my interview. The 3rd interview was a week ago today and I haven't heard anything. Should I follow up again? The not knowing is killing me, I really want this job. Thank you in advance.
A post interview follow up in the form of a note of thanks can very well be the reason why you got the job. It is one of the little things that can go a long way while looking for a job. This hub was a nice read, Patty.
Princesswithapen
No, because it sounds petty; you need something more important to highlight.
When asked by the person interviewing what you least like about you last job would it be okay to say you never got your breaks?
Go ahead and send it; it sounds appropriate and a good conversation.
Question -- had a great interviewer with CEO (also a company founder) 2 days later had 2nd interview with COO/Founder; at conclusion was told they both really liked me and they wanted me to see VP of HR. I sent TY note and received an e-mail response from 2nd founder saying he was impressed with my skills and the sincere interest in company and they will be in touch soon. I was thinking of sending a quick note about a relevant issue I came across with respect to part of the conversation we had at interview -- would another contact be OK, or does it appear desperate -- it's been 5 days since 2nd interview and 2 days since the reply e-mail I received -- not sure whether to reach out again or not. Any suggestions appreciated
The HR person would be the one to call. Good luck!
Patty-
I interviewed for a position 10 days ago and I followed up with a post interview email which had a nice response. I interviewed with the program manager and HR. I'd like to place a call but who should I call - the program mgr or HR?
Jackson - That all sounds strange to me. Let's hope they contact the names you mentioned. Good luck!
PK - If you hear nothing form the company, call them on Feb 15th. Success to you!
I would never be messaging with a job candidate; it is too intrusive and time consuming. If you keep messaging him now, you may sound desperate and therefore, not one whom they will hire. Drop the matter, until time to make a personal phone call. Phone, do not text. That personal effort could make the difference if you and the other job candidate are equal otherwise.
Thre may not even be another candidate.
Patty Inglish, MS Hub Author 3 weeks ago
Sorry, but I won't post any part of my email address in a public venue, because of identity theft.