How to Conduct a Successful Follow Up After a Job Interview

Attending a job interview is more than just answering a few questions and then waiting for the appropriate time to ask your own. You need to look at the job interview as just one of many aspects of landing your dream job. What you do after you leave the job interview will also have an impact on whether or not you get the job. This is how to conduct a successful follow up after you have had your job interview.

How to Conduct a Successful Follow Up After a Job Interview: Arrange to follow up before you leave the interview

Do not just wait until you leave the interview to follow up with the job opening. While the interview is starting t owind down, ask the interviewer when it would be a good time to call and find out more about the job. Usually, a potential employer will be impressed with the iniative that you have shown and will mention that 10:00am on Monday would be the best time. If you have agreed to call back at 10:00am on Monday, then make sure that you follow through with this and keep your word. If you are forgetful by nature, then write yourself a note in your daily planner and refer to it often. But what should you do if you call and the employer is not in the office? If there is a secretary who can take your message, then leave a message and call back again at a more convenient time. This shows that you tried to follow through, even though the employer forgot about the arrangement.

How to Conduct a Successful Follow Up After a Job Interview: Send a thank you card

It may seem inappropriate to send a thank you card to a man or woman with whom you have only spent 35 minutes with in your whole life. But look at it from the employer's point of view. How many people have they had to interview for this same position? In turn, out of all those people, who even thought of sending a thank you card? By sending a card, you are sending a message to the employer that you are different. You are also showing your interest in the job and are thanking the emmployer for their time in interviewing you. It does not have to include lots of flowery phrases and insincere comments. An employer will be able to tell if you are trying to butter them up! Simply state that you are thankful for the employer's time, reiterate your qualifications and why you would be ideal for the position and then sign off respectfully, not in the same way you would when writing to a friend or family member. I have spoken to employers who have received thank you cards over the years and they said that thank you cards may not seem important, but they are often kept for years as a reminder of a person's kindness and thoughtfulness. So if you want to stand out in a crowd, send a thank you card.

How to Conduct a Successful Follow Up After a Job Interview: Send a brief letter

In much the same way as a hank you card can impress an employer, a brief follow up letter can do the same. It can be especially difficult to choose between two or more candidates for a job. But when it comes down to it the employer will look at other factors too. This is where a good follow up letter can be of use to you. Briefly state that you are still interested in the job and emphasise how the employer can reach you if you have been successful with your job interview.

Even if you are not successful with securing the job you have applied for, developing cordial relations with the employer who interviewed you can be of further use to you. They may know of another job opening in a different company that you would be better suited for and put in a good word for you. A potential employer has therefore become part of your new network instead of your employer, which still works out well for you if you get a better job. Following up after a job interview really can get you the job you want or a lead that will be of further use to you elsewhere.