Show enthusiasm, not mania
You just interviewed for a position you really want, and you think it
went really well. But before you sit back and relax, waiting for that
phone to ring, there's one more step you should take: following up with
the hiring manager. Getting in touch after an interview shows good
business etiquette, reinforces your interest in the position and could
mean the difference between getting a job offer and never hearing back
from the employer again.
But if you do it incorrectly, you could hurt your chances of landing
that job. Here are some post-interviewing tips on the do's and don'ts of
following up:
Don't rush it.
Hiring managers neither expect nor want a follow-up five minutes after
the interview. Texting a "thank-you note" from the parking lot can make
you come across as demanding, impatient and overly eager.
Do: Give yourself time to process what took place during the
interview so your follow-up is not only gracious, but also thoughtful
about the position and the conversation you had with the hiring manager.
If you're sending a note via U.S. mail or email, try to get it out the
day after the interview. If you're planning to place a follow-up call,
wait two or three days. Just make sure you don't wait too long. You want
your note or phone call to arrive at the company before the hiring
committee has made up its mind about whom to hire.
Don't make typos.
Many hiring managers disregard applications that contain mistakes, and
they likewise won't think much of a candidate who sends a follow-up note
with grammatical mistakes or autocorrect fails.
Do: Check and double-check all of your correspondences with the
people who interviewed you. Strong written communication abilities are a
highly valued soft skill, and even one spelling error
can make you look unprofessional. Remember that the purpose of a
follow-up is to further convince potential employers to hire you; you
don't want to sink your chances with a poorly written message.
Don't make it all about you.
The follow-up shouldn't be about how well the job would mesh with your
lifestyle or boost your career. As much as interviewers want to know
more about you, what they're really after is how you can benefit the company.
Do: In the note, show that you're continuing to think about
ways you would add value to the company if you were hired. Thank the
hiring manager for her time, and say that you enjoyed meeting her and
learning more about the position. Refer to a few things discussed during
the interview and perhaps add more commentary or details. And finally,
reaffirm your interest in contributing to the growth of the company.
Don't be overly familiar.
You and the interviewer may have hit it off, but remember, this is still
a business relationship. Don't let yourself get too informal or chatty,
or you'll risk looking unprofessional.
Do: Be friendly in your follow-up, but maintain a professional
demeanor. Start any written correspondence with "Dear so-and-so," and
end with "Best regards" or "Kindest regards." Refrain from making jokes,
and don't use emoticons or casual abbreviations.
Don't go overboard.
Whether the interview was a smashing success or a total bomb, avoid
extreme emotion in your messages - it will only make you seem unstable
and off-putting.
Do: Show enthusiasm, not mania. And while you want to
communicate that you're persistent, don't pester. Two follow-ups are
enough: one written message and perhaps a phone call a few days later.
If you think you flubbed the interview,
briefly explain that you weren't at the top of your game and that you'd
be grateful for the chance to try again. If you have nothing else to
lose and you really want the job, it can't hurt to ask graciously for a
second interview.
There are no sure things in a job hunt. But by practicing these
post-interviewing tips, you have the opportunity to make another great
impression on a potential employer - and to help tip the scale in your
favor.
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