The Follow-Up Phone Call Etiquette for Job Interviews
The last thing a candidate often hears before leaving a job interview is the employer uttering that he will keep in touch. This broad statement can mean that the candidate will hear something a couple of days later or weeks later. When making a follow-up call to the prospective employer after the interview, follow proper and professional etiquette.
Other People Are Reading
-
When to Make the Call
-
According to the Career Key website, a follow-up phone call to an employer should be made no earlier than three days after the original interview. This gives the employer a chance to finish any additional interviews she has scheduled after your interview and to finish an evaluation of the potential candidates for the job.
Be Patient
-
Your phone call following up on a job interview might not be the top priority for the employer. Be patient and wait for the employer if your call is placed on hold. You want to show your professionalism and patience but also to show that you know how to wait for important calls and information. If the receptionist informs you that the employer will call you back, stay by the phone. An employer might think that you are no longer interested if the phone call goes unanswered, according to Quint Careers.
-
What to Say
-
When you get the employer on the phone, ask her how she is doing. Even though you are calling for answers regarding the interview, you should still be friendly and courteous. Remind the employer of your interview by providing the date and time of the interview. Tell the employer that you are calling as a follow-up to see how the interview is being evaluated. Avoid making small talk, because you do not want to waste the employer's time. Be specific and honest about the reasons you are calling. The employer might not give you an answer because the job application process might be ongoing.
Respect the Employer's Wishes
-
Listen to the employer, as he might have some requests after the follow-up call has finished. For example, if the employer has many job applications left to go through or needs to evaluate the interviews he has conducted, days can pass before he has a short list of candidates or a final decision. Do not call every day and ask the employer about the progress, because he might be bothered by your constant calling. It also could reflect badly on you, because you might appear to be impatient and unprofessional.
-
References
- Photo Credit cellular phone image by timur1970 from Fotolia.com
