HOW TO FOLLOW UP AFTER A JOB INTERVIEW

Photo by Wavebreakmedia

You might get nervous and stressed before a job interview, so when it’s over, and you’ve shaken all hands, you breathe a sigh of relief. Now, you just have to be patient and wait for them to call you back. The ball is in their court, right? Not at all.

While it’s up to the hiring manager to decide if you’re the right fit for the job, you aren’t completely off the hook. Even if you’ve presented yourself well during the interview, there’s work to be done afterwards. Here are 21 things you should do immediately after an interview and within the next few days:

Thank the potential employer for their time
State your interest in the position and company
Be as specific as possible: say what parts of the job excite you and why
Ask about next steps (before you leave the interview)
Ask if you can connect via LinkedIn
Be brief, friendly, and conversational
Show gratitude
If possible, collect business cards from everyone you meet during your interview
Send a thank you note within 24 hours to show that you’re interested in the position
Add to the thank you note any significant information that you feel may be appropriate
Refer to a topic discussed in the interview
Write everything down and include names, titles and what you discussed
Evaluate what went right and what went wrong
Learn from your mistakes and successes for next time
Start thinking about the next round
Research things that came up in your first interview
Don’t stalk
Wait 2 weeks before you check in with a polite email
Keep searching
Continue to network
Don’t burn bridges

These actions will show the potential employer that you’re engaged, motivated and interested in the job. Just remember, you shouldn’t bombard the person with multiple emails or calls. Remain proactive and professional without appearing desperate or pushy. If you haven’t found the perfect job yet and want to hone your interview skills even further, sign up for our online video course “How To Ace A Job Interview.”