One of the biggest mistakes job seekers make is not following up after an interview. It can be intimidating if you don’t know the rules or proper etiquette. However, following up can mean the difference between employment and a continuing job search. Here are a few things you can consider when you’re following up after a meeting and checking in on the job:

  • Get their contact information.
    Before you leave the interview, ask for the cards of each individual you talk to. This will give you their direct email address and the proper spelling of their names. Always double check that they have your resume and contact information as well.
  • Find out when they expect to make a decision.
    The second piece of information you should gather at the end of the interview is how soon they expect to make a decision. They may give you a precise time frame such as “we would like to have this position filled by July 1st,” or their expectation could be less exact. Use this information to determine approximately when you should follow up.
  • Write a thank you note.
    Immediately after returning home from the interview, send a thank you note. It is perfectly acceptable to send an email or a hand written thank you card. If you do choose to mail a thank you, make sure you include the name of the person in the address and use a professional card. If you send an email, be sure to reiterate the important discussion points from your meeting.
  • Follow up.
    Using the information you gathered from the interview, follow up with the interviewer. If they didn’t give you a specific time, follow up with them in a week. Call mid-morning after they’ve gone through their emails and phone calls from the night before. Don’t call late in the afternoon because they may be rushing to get something completed before they leave for the day.
  • Don’t cross the line from persistent to pushy.
    Employers are looking for confidence and initiative so following up is a great way to demonstrate these qualities. However, it is very easy to cross the line from confidence to arrogance. Once you’ve followed up with them, it is not considered polite to continuously call back. They will be more likely to tell you “No” than consider you for the job.

Are you looking for more interviewing advice and best practices? Contact Harvard Resource Solutions, offering jobs in Detroit MI, to learn more!