You’ve just interviewed for a job, and you think it went well.
How should you follow up?
Since your goal is to win the committee, not the job, here’s what to do:
- Type your thank you notes immediately, of course, and customize them – address one to each person with whom you met, mentioning specific points that you appreciate from your interaction.
- It can’t hurt to put notes in the mail, too.
- It’s also good to connect on LinkedIn, now that you’ve met these folks professionally.
- And then – do nothing.
–You don’t need to follow up again to check in on the process.
–You don’t need to make sure they got your notes.
–You don’t need to notify them of your other prospects, or of the progress you are making as a candidate with other organizations.
Time and again, I’ve seen candidates alienate hiring managers and recruiters when they follow up too frequently about a job for which they’ve interviewed.
They’ll send notes such as, “I wanted to let you know I’m about to be hired for another position – so this might be your last chance to hire me!”
Recruiters and hiring managers know how to get in touch with you.
If they wanted to check in with you, they would.
People do what they want to do, and anyone who wants to hire you knows how to find you (they found you for the interview, right? And that was before they had even met you).
So the fine art of following up involves restraint.
- Send the thank-you notes, electronically and in the mail.
- Connect on LinkedIn.
- And then…wait.
Keep moving forward with other opportunities.
And always see yourself as a resource to others, so that when you stay in touch over time, it’s not about you, it’s about the information, ideas, or connections you can share with others.
3 Responses
You really captured the essence of the proper follow-up dance.
Thank you! It’s helpful to have seen many interactions between employers and candidates – as you, yourself, have. People tend to make the same mistakes, so I hope this information can help folks to follow up more effectively.