How to Follow Up After a Thank You Letter

Thank you letters make a positive impression on employers.

The first thing you should do when you get home from a job interview is send the employer a thank you letter. In fact, it might be even better to have a thank you note and addressed envelope ready in the car. Immediately after your interview, you can write the note and drop it in the nearest mailbox. Right after the interview is when you'll remember what was discussed most, and you can write a truly exceptional thank you note. This is the easy part. But you may be confused, like many job seekers, about what to do after you send that initial thank you letter.

Instructions

1. Avoid contacting the employer before the date he said he'd get back to you. For example, if the employer said during the interview that he would get back with you in a few weeks, don't contact him next week to ask when he plans to make his decision.

2. Wait a week after sending your thank you letter to contact the employer if he didn't give you a specific time frame during the interview. Call or email the employer to check in and ask about the timeline for filling the position. Don't call on a Monday, because employers are usually still getting organized for the week ahead. Make sure you're polite and professional. Thank your interviewer again for his time and ask when he plans to make his decision or call for a second round of interviews.

3. Wait at least another week to contact the employer again. Only contact him again if he asked you to or if you didn't hear back after you called or emailed him the first time. Employers are busy professionals. Sometimes, people forget to return calls or an email gets accidentally deleted. When you contact him again, remain polite and professional, but ask your question more directly, such as "When will you be making your decision?" This is a good time to express further interest in the company by stating how excited you are about the prospect of working for the company and how you feel it's a great fit for your skills and experience. If you can point out a conversation topic from the interview to demonstrate how much you were paying attention, that can be beneficial.

4. Leave a message if you cannot get your potential employer on the phone. But after a second call where you do not get to speak with him, stop calling. You do not want him to feel like you are pestering him about the job.

References

• U.S. News & World Report Money: How to Follow Up After an Interview
• Job Bank USA: Ten Tips for the Interview Follow Up

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish