Following up after an exciting interview can be a difficult thing to do. While you want to come across as interested and excited about the opportunity, you also want to avoid looking desperate. You already know to ask about what the next steps in the hiring process are and to get your thank you note out right away, but what do you do when the process drags on longer than expected? Learn when and how to follow up with some of our go-to practices.
Timing is Key
When you're waiting to hear back about a job you interviewed for, days can feel like weeks. If the time frame the hiring manager gave you for a follow up has past (by more than a day or so), it may be time for a follow up about where they are in the hiring process for the position you interviewed for. Just make sure you've given them a little more time than their original decision date.
Email Over Calling
Once you've figured out if the time is right to reach out to the hiring manager about where they are with the interviewing/hiring process, the next step is to pick the correct method. In cases like this, you should email over calling them. Sending an email not only avoids the awkward phone call when you catch them on their way out the door, but also allows them enough time to check their notes and give you a complete answer. While later in the hiring process, the need for an actual phone call may present itself, starting with an email is a good way to go.
One and Done
Once you hit send, step away from the computer. It can be tempting to shoot off another email if you don't get a response in a day (or even a few hours). Don't do this. Not only can it leave a bad taste in the hiring manager’s mouth, but you can also come across as desperate which is not something you want in your job search. A good rule of thumb to follow in regards to this is one and done.
Know When to Step Away
While this is usually the hardest part of the process to accept, sometimes you just need to step away and move on. If your previous follow ups have fallen on deaf ears, it may be time to continue on your job search journey and forget about that opportunity. The important part here is to understand that you may have not been the candidate they were looking for and accept it. Don't fall into the trap of sending excessive emails or calls when you are trying to get a response. By knowing when to stop contacting them, it will let you move on with your search and you will leave the company you interviewed with a positive impression of you in case you ever apply with them again. They may not remember the polite candidate that just wasn't the right fit for a position, but they will remember the one that never stopped calling or emailing them weeks or months after in a poor light.
Following up when you don't hear anything back after an interview can be a tricky task, but with knowledge of the proper process to follow up, you can navigate it with ease. What's the best advice you've received about following up post-interview?