4 Non-Annoying Ways to Follow Up After an Interview

by , May 29, 2012 — 6 Comments
4 Non-Annoying Ways to Follow Up After an Interview

You landed the interview, and as far as you’re concerned? You nailed that sucker.

Or, you met with a recruiter who seemed super interested and incredibly connected with the exact kinds of companies for whom you want to work.

She said, “Keep in touch!”

Awesome. But a couple of weeks have gone by and nothing’s happened. So what do you do now? Can you follow up with her without reeking of desperation or looking like a pest?

This topic freaks a lot of job seekers out. Many people, even when they know they truly lit the interview on fire, would rather do absolutely nothing than risk looking stupid or making the wrong follow-up move.

But that’s what’s stupid. Because staying top of mind is incredibly important—and not just for the job at hand. Even if you’re not the right candidate for a particular position (or the position is filled before you can really show the company your amazingness), wowing the right decision maker—a recruiter, an HR person, or a hiring manager—can be incredibly valuable down the line.

With that in mind, here are a few ways you can ease the “staying in touch” part of the job search equation:

 

1. Ask About Next Steps (Before You Leave the Interview)

As a recruiter, it stuns me that so few people end the conversation with this question. But if you ask the interviewer what happens next, you know exactly when it’s acceptable to follow up. If the she says she’ll be contacting candidates within a week, and it’s day 9? It’s completely OK to touch base and remind her of the timetable she gave you. Don’t be pushy, but a quick note is perfect:

“Hi Sue—I hope you’re having a great week. You mentioned that your team would be finalizing a hiring decision on the Marketing Manager position this week. I’m eager to hear when you have an update. And certainly, if I may provide any additional information to support your decision-making process, please let me know!”

 

2. Get That Thank-You Note Out (With Lightning Speed)

Thank-you notes matter: They give you a terrific opportunity to follow up with the decision-maker right away. I encourage job seekers to get thank-you notes out (to each individual they’ve met in the interview process) immediately after the interview. Same day. From your laptop in the parking lot, if you really want to wow them.

Use this moment to affirm to the hiring manager that you’re on top of things and would bring a ton of value into the position for which you’re interviewing. Make it easy for them to decide on you.

 

3. Ask if You Can Connect via LinkedIn (Then Do)

Hey, this is a potential long-term professional relationship in the making. So it’s perfectly appropriate to connect on LinkedIn after the interview. That said—you don’t want to ambush anyone with your request, or leave the decision-maker wondering what your motives are (and please—no generic connection requests!). Instead, you should create a logical reason for connecting, then ask if she’s OK with it while you’re at the interview.

“You want to start dragon boat racing? I’d love to introduce you to my former colleague. He leads a dragon boat team right here in Portland.”

Or maybe, “I read a New York Times article about how Coca-Cola is employing brand strategy in this same way. Did you see it? I’ll be happy to forward it to you.”

There’s your in. And once you’re in? You can build a long-term professional relationship with that person, whether you end up landing the job or not.

 

4. If Things Drag Out, Check in (Periodically)

This is the job search technique people tend to stink at the most—the periodic check-in. But it’s so important, and it should be used throughout your career to keep your network fresh and engaged.

Now, this is not about harassment: “Did I get the job?” “Do you have a job for me?” “Did you make a decision?” Not at all. It’s about offering something of value to your contact. And in doing so, you will also (by default) remind her that you’re still out there.

This could mean forwarding an article that you think she’ll find interesting, or congratulating her if you notice she’s been promoted or earned some sort of recognition. Maybe thanking her for a bit of advice that you employed. Keep it simple and brief, and don’t ask for anything back. If that person hears from you and has an update? She’ll absolutely be in touch. Try:

“Hi Sue, We spoke last month about the product manager position at XYZ Industries. In our conversation, you highlighted some emerging trends in food packaging. I noticed this attached article about the same topic and thought of you. No response necessary. I hope you find the information useful!”

Nothing elaborate, and once a month is probably about right if you don’t get much response. But you can be assured that Sue will remember you, and in a good way if you’re helpful and non-pesky in the follow-up.

The bottom line is: Stay top of mind. It’s half the battle.

 

Photo courtesy of Playing Futures: Applied Nomadology.

About the Author

Jenny Foss operates a Portland, OR based recruiting firm, Ladder Recruiting Group, and the popular career blog JobJenny.com. Jenny is also the author of the Ridiculously Awesome Resume Kit and the strategic job search ebook, To Whom It May Concern: Or, How to Stop Sucking at Your Job Search. You may find Jenny on Twitter @JobJenny.

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Dottie Bowling
Dottie Bowling

I completely and emphatically agree! As a contingent recruiter of 16 years, I concur that these follow up tips will give you a competitive edge. I am currently working hard at urging my daughter to follow this advice.

Rajan
Rajan

I completely suck at follow-up after an interview... it's always tricky - how to decide what will not sound desparate, choosing the right words and the right time, it could be really dangerous and hamper your chances of getting-in .. Thanks for the tips.. hopefully I can use them sometime for the good :)

Alana Price
Alana Price

Great tips, I'm definitely pretty notoriously bad at number 4. I'm always trying to remind myself to do this with people I've worked with in the past, but now I'll have to add people I want/wanted to work with too!

One big gesture you can do, and this can be really tricky so you have to be careful, is to send them something relevant to the job while you're waiting to here back from them. For example if you do any kind of work where you have samples or examples, you can send them to the employer on a promotional USB drive that features your name. If you do it right it won't come off as creepy and it will really stand out in their minds. For examples seethis.

Stephen "Steve" Q Shannon
Stephen "Steve" Q Shannon

Jenny I held my breath before I "opened" your article.

Yes. Yes. You started at the beginning...ending the interview on

the applicant's terms.

Tiny quarrel...with which I suspect you might agree. Lightning fast to hand write thank you means returning to your car if that is possible, crafting the message that does NOT start with the words "thank you" please, please and then returning to the interview site to ensure the messages get to the right persons. Or or...if the decision is weeks off (hopefully the interviewer did NOT utter, "We'll get back to you in 2 weeks" meaninglessness. Then getting back "lightning fast" is not what you want to do. You want the level of remembering the applicant to dip over a few days so that when the thank you message shows up it is also a telling reminder about you the applicant. One adviser years ago said, "Put the want ad in the window. Went it yellows a little, then send the thank you note." Be strategic in this all important process. Saying thank you by e-mail is the last resort in my view. USPS is so light on mail today, the applicant can dominate that "medium" if she is intentional. When was the last time you received a hand written note via USPS with a commemorative actual 45 cent postage stamp on it that was not a purchased greeting card? And when you sorted through your light mail, which piece of mail did you open first? Did I make my point or where am I going wrong on this? Your advocate! sQs

Caro Rodriguez
Caro Rodriguez

Thanks for this article. I had never considered 3&4 as part of interview follow up but will sure consider it in the future. I typically do this with current or ex-colleagues but considered Linkedİn and offering info to a recruiter as too "in your face" given that we've only just met.

Also, in order to send thank you emails inmediately after the interview when is the best time to ask for email addresses: before, during or after the interview? (usually they will all follow the same company format so easy to guess if you have the full names).

Thanks again

OCLawyer
OCLawyer

Great ideas on following up! I would be interested in the author's opinion regarding emailed versus hand written thank you notes. I work in an old school industry and hand written thank you notes are generally expected, but you never know if the card will actually end up in the interviewer's hands, and if I don't also send an email, it might look like I sent no thank you at all. Is it overkill to send an email thank you and a hand written one as well?