StaffWritten by Julianne Keu | When it comes to following up with a potential employer after (what you perceive to be) a successful job interview, you may find yourself walking a fine line. You’ll have to follow-up to keep from falling off the grid, but as we’ve seen in the Workopolis video above, overstep your boundaries and you could find yourself in a predicament. Take the foolproof, balanced approach with these four do’s and don’ts:
DO: Ask the interviewer about what happens next.
If you feel the interview went well (and heck, even if you don’t), ask the interviewer about what to expect in the coming days. You’d be surprised how much you can learn by asking the simple question. Your interviewer may reveal the number of candidates yet to be assessed, how far into the recruiting process the firm is, and most importantly, when you can expect a response. You’ll need this information to devise your next steps.
DO: Send a thank you note.
Yes, thank you notes; whether you opt for the way your grandma used to mail them, or in the form of a short, well-composed email. Thank you notes are a great way to jog your potential employer’s mind about who you are and how much you take the job position seriously — all carefully woven into a thoughtful message of appreciation. If you’re going to send a thank you note, make sure you send it within 3 days after the interview. Why? You’ll want to leave some breathing space for your next move…
DO: Write to follow-up.
Different advisors will tell you to do this in a variety of ways. My advice is to take the more conservative approach. If your interview said he/she’d get back to you within a week and it’s been a week and two days, writer him/her an email to check in on the status of the decision.
An example of a follow-up email would look like this:
Dear [Interviewer],
I interviewed for the position of [position] on [date] and am writing to follow-up on the decision process. Do you have any further information for me at this time? Please let me know when you have a moment to spare.
Warm regards,
[Your name]
If you don’t receive a response within two days of sending the follow-up email and you really want the job, give the company a call. There’s no harm in calling in at this point. Whatever the response may be, be courteous, patient, and (outwardly) grateful.
DON’T: Make a surprise visit to the company.
Although it may be tempting to walk back in in your best power suit, you’re sure to run into a number of problems. For starters, your interviewer is likely busy and cannot accommodate a surprise visit, especially one from a borderline creep. Secondly, if you’ve gotten to the point where emails and phone calls aren’t going through, you probably didn’t get the job. It’s OK. Dust yourself off and look for more opportunities. The more shots you take, the greater the odds of scoring.
Lastly, seek expert help. With the abundance of information on the Internet, wielding yourself with the proper tools to ace the job search has become easier than ever. Perfecting the first impression is an art no matter what situation you’re in. The workplace is no exception.