How Many Times Should I Follow Up After My Job Interview?
The worst part of any job search is the waiting time between interviews and offers. Landing a great job is important to you, and lack of information flow can cause extreme stress. Following up with hiring managers is necessary, but how much should you follow up and how often? The right follow-up approach is important because you do not want to get labeled a pest. Follow these steps to follow up like a pro.
Follow-Up #1: The Thank You Email
This is the first and most important follow-up step. After your interview is over, sit down and write down relevant information you’d like to include in your thank-you note, including points you want to reinforce or any relevant information that may not have been covered. Write a thoughtful but concise thank you email and send a unique and personalized note to each person you spoke with. Thank the interviewer for his or her time, make your reinforcing statements, reiterate your interest in the job and tell them you look forward to hearing back.
Follow-Up #2: A Handwritten Note
This isn’t as important as the follow-up email, but it can help you stand out. People don’t send as many handwritten thank-you notes as they used to, so dropping a quick note in the mail will solidify your interests in a non-pushy way. This note can be much shorter than your email: thank them again for their time and express your continued interest in the role.
Follow-Up #3: Email or Phone Call
Only take this step if a few days have passed after the deadline. Hiring decisions often take a little longer than expected, so wait at least three days before reaching out. An email is a non-invasive way to conduct this step, unless the hiring manager told you that it was okay to call. Send a professional, brief and polite email checking in on the process.
Follow-Up #4: Move On
If you do not hear back after these two or three steps, don’t persist. You’ve done your due diligence and now the ball is in the employer’s court. At this point, it is wise to keep your options open and not put all of your hopes on this particular job. If you are offered another job while you are waiting, send a quick note letting them know the situation and ask for an update. If you are their top choice but the process is dragging on, it might light a much-needed fire to get things  moving.
Follow-up is important because it shows that you are a professional, but you don’t want to move from being persistent to being a pest. Hounding the hiring manager could end up costing you a job you could have landed if you had exhibited patience.
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