Post Interview Follow Up

Your post interview follow up efforts will play a major role in whether or not you get an offer. The most difficult stage of your job interview will be the waiting game afterwards.

The number one pet peeve I hear from job seekers is, the company is taking too long to get back to me with feedback or a hiring decision.

A simple interview follow up approach will allow you take back some control and speed things up without being pushy or annoying.

It also will prevent you from coming across as someone who is desperate, or worse yet...a stalker candidate.

Whoever said, Patience is a virtue, wasn't kidding.

1. Send an interview thank you letter - this is without a doubt the most important first step. It makes a very professional, positive impression on the hiring manager.

   Surprisingly, only 10% of candidates do this.

   I've devoted a lengthy web page on the important topic of thank you letters, including 3 sample interview thank you notes.

2. Make sure your employment references, sometimes referred to as job references, will give you a good recommendation and talk positively about you. Don't assume this will happen automatically.
3. Have you considered asking your former boss or other influential person for a character reference letter? A well written character reference letter can make a difference in you getting a job interview or a job offer.

4. Three strikes and you're OUT! - this interview follow up technique gives you some control and influence over the hiring process with almost no risk of offending anyone.

   Job seekers needlessly worry about how many times they should call the company if nothing is happening or no one is calling them back.

   My 3 strikes rule lowers your blood pressure and eliminates the need for anger management classes. Seriously!

5. Collecting your travel expenses - this technique tells you how to get reimbursed for travel expenses without losing your cool or rubbing someone the wrong way.

   It's amazing how many companies take their sweet time about reimbursing you for your travel expenses.

   Beyond 30 days is simply unreasonable.

   If you set things up right from the beginning your reimbursement check will arrive like clockwork.

6. Should you call the manager to ask questions? - the answer to this interview follow up question depends on whether or not the manager gave you their card and said, Call me if you have any questions.

   This is definitely a buying signal...especially if they give you their cell phone number.

   In most cases, you should view this as an open invitation to call them. It may even be part of your interview evaluation.

   Appropriate interview follow up questions should focus on the scope of the job or something that is related to the company's products, services, or systems.

   Only have 4 or 5 questions, and do some research beforehand to show that you tried to find out on your own first.

7. Promptly return calls, emails, and requests for information - this interview follow up advice may seem unnecessary, but you'd be surprised how many job candidates fall out of favor with a company for not providing timely information (references, employment application), or simply take too long to return a phone call.

   Sometimes candidates will view a phone call from an Admin as low priority. In many cases, this Admin is the manager's right-hand person who has a lot of influence on the hiring manager.

   Treat them with indifference at your own risk.

True Story: A few years back I was given a retained search by a construction equipment manufacturer.

I was working directly with the CIO.

He told me if he was ever unavailable I should just work directly with his Executive Secretary.

On a few occasions I called this ES. I asked for her opinion about some of my candidates and their company policies.

I treated her as an equal even though she had an all business type of personality.

One day out of the clear blue, this CIO called me to thank me for treating his ES with such courtesy and respect.

He commented that often times executives outside the company treat her like a low level underling...and she highly resents it.

He then went on to explain what a valuable key advisor she was to him.

Make sure you treat everyone as equals. You never know who might have black ball power.

8. Stay focused and prepared for a possible second job interview. If your first interview went well, don't let your guard down.

   You may be invited back for a second interview.

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