After any job interview, it’s natural to feel eager to follow up with the employer and learn where you stand in the hiring process. Following up with an interviewer is almost an art within itself, requiring some meaningful thought and consideration. Believe it or not, learning the best approach to following up with employers can even impact your chances of a getting a job!
If you’re unsure of how to go about the follow-up process, here’s the five-step process you should follow.
1. Ask about next steps.
Before you physically leave a job interview, end your conversation by asking the interviewer about their hiring timeline and approximately when they’ll be contacting candidates and making a hiring decision. You should also ask if the interviewer needs anything further from you, such as references or other application materials.
2. Send a thank-you note.
At the very least, you should always send a thank-you note immediately after your interview. Ideally, it’s best to send a handwritten thank-you note, as it’s more personalized. However, if you want to make sure the interviewer receives it immediately, a thank-you email is also acceptable. In your thank-you note, be sure to highlight why you believe the job is a good fit and that you’re appreciative of the employer’s consideration of you as a candidate.
3. Connect on LinkedIn.
Connecting with your interviewer on LinkedIn soon after the interview is one of the easiest ways to stay on the employer’s radar and keep in touch, even in the event you don’t get the position. Remember, if you aren’t chosen for the job, there’s still a significant value in staying in contact with employers for future opportunities. Reaching out on LinkedIn after your interview will also show the interviewer that you would value the opportunity to be part of their network and are excited to stay in touch moving forward.
4. Follow up with a phone call.
If it’s been over a week since your interview, it’s completely acceptable to follow up with a phone call to get a sense of where you stand in the hiring process. This also gives you an opportunity to express further interest in the position and verbally reiterate why you believe you’re a good fit.
5. Check in periodically.
If the interview process is being dragged out, there’s nothing wrong with checking in periodically with your point person at the organization. The key to this is making sure you’re not bothering individuals specifically about the job, but rather being of value to them. For example, you may pass along a relevant industry article to your interviewer or congratulate them on a recent award or promotion.
Taking the steps above to follow up will allow you make a long-lasting positive impression on the interviewer, while providing some peace of mind during the hiring process. The more you adopt these practices during your interview experiences, the easier they will become to follow! If you are looking for assistance on your search for a new position, contact the team at On Time Staffing today.
