Interview Follow Up Techniques
The employer was impressed enough to invite you for an interview, but now that the interview is over, you're left wondering what to do next. How should you approach the employer now that you're waiting for an answer? There are a few things you can do and say after an interview to improve your chances of getting the job.
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Thank-You Notes
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The thank-you note is a reminder to the employer that you are still interested in the job. Whether you fax, email or mail your thank-you note, the message you are trying to convey is the same. If the note will be sent by mail, the paper it is written on should match the paper you use for your resume. Your first paragraph should focus on when you interviewed with the company and what you learned. Your next paragraph should focus on your talents and strengths. In your last paragraph, stress your interest in working for the company. Send the thank-you note a day or two after the interview.
Follow up by Phone
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Whether you send an employer a thank-you note or not, you will have to follow up somehow. You should always ask an employer when he will contact you about an employment decision. If you do not hear from the employer on the day indicated, call the next business day and ask for the employer. Tell him who you are and the reason for your call. You should also remind the employer about the decision time frame he gave you during the interview and ask how the decision-making process is going. As usual, always stress your interest in the position. If you were never given a hiring time frame, consider calling the employer five to seven days after the interview.
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Follow up by Email
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The employer may tell you if you follow up by phone that she does not have a hiring timetable to give you, or you may be told to call back on a different day for a decision. If you are in an aggressive field like sales or marketing, you may be expected to write follow-up emails every few days. In other fields, you should consider trying to reach the employer on the date she indicated or once every week for a few weeks. The follow-up email should read like your thank-you letter. If you never get a response after a few weeks, start looking for another job opportunity.
Offer Letter
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An employer may call and offer you a job. If you are not interested, politely decline but thank the employer for the time invested in you. If you are interested, ask the employer to write an offer letter. An offer letter informs you of all of the perks, including vacation time and salary, that you will receive as an employee. If you receive the offer letter and information is left vague, follow up and ask for more details. Once you receive the edited offer letter, express your gratitude and accept or decline the position.
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References
Resources
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