How to Follow Up After a Job Interview If You Want to Get the Job

If you are in the process of looking for a job, it is very important,particularly in this economy where we are in the middle of a recession, to follow up after any job interview that you might have. It is not a good idea to just sit on the interview and hope that they hire you because you've already done your part by showing up. These days it is not enough just to show up to a job interview, you must do everything you can to show that you both want the job and that you are qualified for it.

Consider two people applying for the same job. The first person does nothing after the interview except sit around and wait for the company to call her back. However, the other person sends a thank you e-mail to the interviewer and again expresses interest in the position. Even though the first person is more qualified to do the job, the second person gets it because he took the time to follow up on the interview.

If you are sitting around waiting for the right job offer but don't follow up on your interviews, your chances of getting the job of your dreams goes down. In business, following up on your interviews is the best way to spread the word about you, and your qualifications.

Here are some tips for following up on your interviews.

1. Always send a thank you note or e-mail within a few days of the interview. This is a good way for your prospective employer to hear from you again. Even if you don't get the position you applied for, you never know when another position may come up that you are also qualified for, and staying in touch is one way to help the interviewer keep you in mind for future consideration.

2. Make sure that your prospective employer has all your contact information such as your e-mail, your cell phone, and your landline phone numbers. That way they have no excuse for getting back to you.

3. Make sure you get your prospective employer's contact information correctly. This way when you send a thank you letter, or e-mail you or letter you can be certain that you have the right information on it. There is nothing worse than sending a thank you note and mispelling the interviewer's name, or putting the wrong address on the letter.

4. Let your references know that they could be hearing from a prospective employer. Don't leave the people who have agreed to be a reference in the dark not knowing if or when they might hear from an employer. Letting them know ahead of time ensures you will get a reference that will help you get the job.

5. Never be negative with anyone who works for a prospective employer. Even if you don't get the job, you can ask them to keep you in mind for future openings, and you may even want to network with others who work there to find out about jobs at other companies they do business with. It always pays to be positive.

Keeping these tips in mind will ensure that you will have a good chance of getting the job that you want.