Interview Follow-up: Staying Top of Mind and not an Annoyance
So, you just nailed your interview with the top accounting firm in town. You are going to get this position, you think. It’s now nine days after your interview and you have heard nothing. What do you do? What should you have done in those nine days? Here are some of the ways to stay top of mind with your recruiter or future employee, without being a pesky gnat.
- When the interview is ending, ask good questions and about the timeframe . You can definitely ask: What is the timeframe for a decision on this position? There is nothing wrong with asking this question, because the person interviewing you understands that you want to know where you stand, either way. If they say, you won’t hear anything for two weeks, then there you go. This doesn’t mean you can’t do some important things to stay in their mind during that time, but you won’t be sweating it out for 14 days.
- Send the “Thank You” immediately. A well written email is accepted today but it is always nice to add an extra touch and send a hand written note. Be aware of the timeframe for the position as sometimes a handwritten note will not make it in time. Here is a quick example:
Dear Jack,
Thank you so much for the opportunity to talk about the accounting position. I enjoyed the conversation, and I am looking forward to hearing back from you. When you mentioned that you are thinking about going to California, I thought about a great resort I have stayed at there, and I thought I would include the website here so you can check it out! Thanks again for the time, and let me know if you think of anything further you need from me.
Best Regards, Sue Johnson
- Stay in the game. As the two week timeframe comes to a close, it’s appropriate to send an email to show you are still interested and want the position. You don’t have to ask, “Are you going to pick me?” Obviously, don’t be desperate. However, you can say, “Hi Jack! I hope you are doing well, and I know you are nearing the time of making a decision on the accounting position. I was thinking about how we were talking about the trends with accounting technology, and I came across a great article this week, and I wanted to share it with you. Have a great day!” What if Jack was deciding between you and one other person, and sending this email tipped the scales? It’s possible.
- Didn’t hear back in the timeframe? Call. The two weeks have passed, and you have done your due diligence with following up in smart ways and being patient. If you haven’t heard anything, call and ask if a decision has been made, and if not, what is the updated time frame. No matter way, the recruiter/employee sees your level of interest and notes it.
Stay top-of-mind if you really want the position. Advocating for yourself is a must during your job search!
