Following Up After an Interview?

[knowledge]

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Yay/Nay?

She gave me her calling card, so I'm thinking maybe it's a test. I'm pretty sure I nailed the interview... I'm just really anxious to get to the second interview. We even joked about it a couple of times and she said I'm allowed to come dressed more casually to the second one.

Is it generally a bad idea to follow up, or is it actually a good one?

I looked it up and some places suggest an e-mail that same night and a follow-up call a week after. I'm thinking that the e-mail's overkill, but maybe some of you guys do it? So I'm curious in general, as well.

 

[OpenGambit]

Yay/Nay?

She gave me her calling card, so I'm thinking maybe it's a test. I'm pretty sure I nailed the interview... I'm just really anxious to get to the second interview. We even joked about it a couple of times and she said I'm allowed to come dressed more casually to the second one.

Is it generally a bad idea to follow up, or is it actually a good one?

I looked it up and some places suggest an e-mail that same night and a follow-up call a week after. I'm thinking that the e-mail's overkill, but maybe some of you guys do it? So I'm curious in general, as well.

Send a follow up email 100 % of the time.

 

[AngelEyez]

Yay/Nay?

She gave me her calling card, so I'm thinking maybe it's a test. I'm pretty sure I nailed the interview... I'm just really anxious to get to the second interview. We even joked about it a couple of times and she said I'm allowed to come dressed more casually to the second one.

Is it generally a bad idea to follow up, or is it actually a good one?

I looked it up and some places suggest an e-mail that same night and a follow-up call a week after. I'm thinking that the e-mail's overkill, but maybe some of you guys do it? So I'm curious in general, as well.

Depends on the type of job and industry, they all have different status quo's. I think some sort of follow up is good. I would do an email a few days after just to reiterate your interest in the position and summarize some highlights of the interview.

 

[JonnyWyshbone]

Its never a bad idea for a follow up email. If theres a deadline to when they would be accepting applicants, wait until it expires to send a email expressing ur thanks for the interview, yadda yadda yadda. I would also try to word into the email somehow asking for feedback whether or not u get the position, that way if you did do something wrong you will have the oppotunity to correct it for future interviews.

 

[IV.]

Yay/Nay?

She gave me her calling card, so I'm thinking maybe it's a test. I'm pretty sure I nailed the interview... I'm just really anxious to get to the second interview. We even joked about it a couple of times and she said I'm allowed to come dressed more casually to the second one.

Is it generally a bad idea to follow up, or is it actually a good one?

I looked it up and some places suggest an e-mail that same night and a follow-up call a week after. I'm thinking that the e-mail's overkill, but maybe some of you guys do it? So I'm curious in general, as well.

Be a man, walk in wearing your jeans and t-shirt along with your bike helmet.
Don't say too much. Just look at her in the yes and say this with a low tone "you and me on a midnight rendezvous, see you at 11"
Then leave.

 

[awyala]

Part of the interview process suggests you could be / are considering multiple posisitions. In such a case, the time frame for a decision whether in your favour or not is important. You are weighing your options too. A follow up email that puts you in a desperate light will effect salary negotiations as you have already tipped your hat as being desperate. The follow up should be matter of fact and, if anything, allude to a position of strength. I would ask for an expected timeline when the decision is likely to be made. Some, especially corporate outfits can take several weeks, if not months to fill a position. My last interview went extremely well, as did salary negotiations, but from my intitial contact with HR to sitting at my desk took 9 months!!!!!! In the end, when I was getting impatient I used the "I am considering other options / offers card, and would kindly appreciate an expected decision date that I may hold off my decision". Reiterate that this outfit is your preferred option of course, and that you were delighted with your experience at the first interview, blah blah blah, but that in this professional environment, one cannot delay. The company is a catch, but so are you, and you're made for each other.

The follow up is just a prompt, so keep it light also. Don't go licking their ballz or anything either.

They will likely ask what other offers you're considering. Be ready for this question.

 

[IV.]

Its never a bad idea for a follow up email. If theres a deadline to when they would be accepting applicants, wait until it expires to send a email expressing ur thanks for the interview, yadda yadda yadda. I would also try to word into the email somehow asking for feedback whether or not u get the position, that way if you did do something wrong you will have the oppotunity to correct it for future interviews.

Do not do that (see bold).
You said you have a second interview.
Just write a simple 4 line email. It was a pleasure to meet you...recall something funny, looking forward to our next meeting.
Can you please provide three calendar options to avoid scheduling conflicts on my end (think about adding this line, you know the vibe of the meeting, it's a subtle way of letting her know you have other interviews and to hurry it up).

What job is this for?

 

[awyala]

Do not do that (see bold).
You said you have a second interview.
Just write a simple 4 line email. It was a pleasure to meet you...recall something funny, looking forward to our next meeting.
Can you please provide three calendar options to avoid scheduling conflicts on my end (think about adding this line, you know the vibe of the meeting, it's a subtle way of letting her know you have other interviews and to hurry it up).

What job is this for?

Agree with this poster! Add the other offer on the table if you want to apply more pressure.....perhaps when you are at your wits end. This tactic can seem high pressure though, so if you feel you are in a weak position do not use it. They must just let you walk and they may get the impression you are not committed. That's why I would suggest, if you do use the "other offers" card, you balance it with something personal / funny (as the poster suggests), and an indication that they are ahead in your preferred options but that things are progressing to the final stages now.

But keep it short.

 

[Jinniwind]

Send a follow up email 100 % of the time.

Yup definitely a follow up email to say thank you, very briefly restate why you are the perfect fit and address very briefly any point that you may have forgotten to mention during the interview. But DO NOT ask for feedbacks or if you are going to get the 2nd round.

 

[awyala]

Yup definitely a follow up email to say thank you, very briefly restate why you are the perfect fit and address very briefly any point that you may have forgotten to mention during the interview. But DO NOT ask for feedbacks or if you are going to get the 2nd round.

Personally I never follow up email. Emails get lost, misfiled, burried. Don't bother.

I get over 120 emails a day and I scan the subject lines and ignore, respond or file according to priority. A "Thank You" email is just ignored until I have time to look at it, often over 2 weeks later when I get on top of everything, but I know there is a nagging unread email.

The rule is to follow up emails with phone calls. Get a real human voice on the line and make that connection required to be memorable. Emails are key to information that requires a record or paper trail. Interview follow ups are not about paper trails, they are about standing out!

Depending on the job, the person you need to contact may be dealing with 50 to 100+ emails per day. Unless you know they get like 5 emails a day, don't bother.

 

[mikbusa]

I agree, I went to the interview, they can follow up with a job offer. Ball's in their court.

 

[Jinniwind]

Personally I never follow up email. Emails get lost, misfiled, burried. Don't bother.

I get over 120 emails a day and I scan the subject lines and ignore, respond or file according to priority. A "Thank You" email is just ignored until I have time to look at it, often over 2 weeks later when I get on top of everything, but I know there is a nagging unread email.

The rule is to follow up emails with phone calls. Get a real human voice on the line and make that connection required to be memorable. Emails are key to information that requires a record or paper trail. Interview follow ups are not about paper trails, they are about standing out!

Depending on the job, the person you need to contact may be dealing with 50 to 100+ emails per day. Unless you know they get like 5 emails a day, don't bother.

Ya I hear you. It's just that I was always trained like this by senior students, HR helpers and even online tips when I was fresh out of school looking for jobs, so I always did it after my interviews. I guess the choice may also depends on what industry one is looking to get into. I'm in financial industry, and I know that some people in some functions think that it's a big deal to do everything their way (the more prestigeous they think they are, the more rigid they are about all these rules.) I personally don't like these type of interviewers and prefer cool ones that don't care about these nitty-gritty trivial details, but I just choose to go their way and play safe. lol!

I totally agree with you that probably a lot of interviewers won't have time to read these follow ups, at least in details, since I myself get hundreds emails daily as well and I can completely understand how overwhelming it is. The thing is, if all other competitors do that, then you would be kinda singled out in a bad way. if all others don't do that, then you would have your bonus point, as long as you dont write anything stupid in it. Most of the times I do read these follow up thank you emails, just for amusement I guess, and also I'm curious about how these people present themselves in writing.

lol!

 

[Major]

Another option to stand out from the crowd... Buy some card stationary from Staples (etc) and write a handwritten note. Use proper penmanship and grammer. Type out what you want to say and copy it rather than creating while writing. The contents should be as some of the comments above (do not solicit any information from them, feedback, second int, etc).

Make sure you use a full pen so you don't run out of ink. Write, and do not use block letters. Use good quality card stock stationary (not generic paper and envelope). Write the address as well on the front.

Do this immediately after the interview! In fact come with the card and stamped envelope to the interview (hidden) and write it in a coffee shop right after and mail immediately.

This will stand from the crowd and retain attention 1-2 days later. But please make sure your handwriting is clear and legible. Also, short and sweet.

 

[awyala]

Another option to stand out from the crowd... Buy some card stationary from Staples (etc) and write a handwritten note. Use proper penmanship and grammer. Type out what you want to say and copy it rather than creating while writing. The contents should be as some of the comments above (do not solicit any information from them, feedback, second int, etc).

Make sure you use a full pen so you don't run out of ink. Write, and do not use block letters. Use good quality card stock stationary (not generic paper and envelope). Write the address as well on the front.

Do this immediately after the interview! In fact come with the card and stamped envelope to the interview (hidden) and write it in a coffee shop right after and mail immediately.

This will stand from the crowd and retain attention 1-2 days later. But please make sure your handwriting is clear and legible. Also, short and sweet.

+1

Traditional "with compliments card"....short and sweet.

It says you're traditional, professional, know industry etiquette, all the while personal.

Don't worry about the printed details on the side or the logo....you can just use it like a business card, then use the blank portion to hand write a tailored message.

This is the professional standard for "thank you" messages. Adopting it may speak to your pedigree.

 

[Jinniwind]

Another option to stand out from the crowd... Buy some card stationary from Staples (etc) and write a handwritten note. Use proper penmanship and grammer. Type out what you want to say and copy it rather than creating while writing. The contents should be as some of the comments above (do not solicit any information from them, feedback, second int, etc).

Make sure you use a full pen so you don't run out of ink. Write, and do not use block letters. Use good quality card stock stationary (not generic paper and envelope). Write the address as well on the front.

Do this immediately after the interview! In fact come with the card and stamped envelope to the interview (hidden) and write it in a coffee shop right after and mail immediately.

This will stand from the crowd and retain attention 1-2 days later. But please make sure your handwriting is clear and legible. Also, short and sweet.

Hmmm a bit unconventional but sounds like a very cool idea. lol! You have done that haven't you?

 

[Major]

Hmmm a bit unconventional but sounds like a very cool idea. lol! You have done that haven't you?

Yes. And when doing multiple interview, I've had multiple job offers. Haven't done it in years though, but now as an employer I've conducted 50+ interviews and hired 10 staff.

Not one did the above. In some of the close calls, this would have tipped the hat.

 

[Mr.Azim]

When did they say they would get back to you? If they said 5 days, follow up with a call after 7 days. Only follow up if they exceed the time they initially gave to you. NEVER e-mail, because that gives them an easy-out if you didn't get the job so they can reply with "sorry for the delay.... we chose another candidate".

I'm not a fan of the thank you cards... never did it and never will (public sector here... don't know if the privates like it).

 

[awyala]

When did they say they would get back to you? If they said 5 days, follow up with a call after 7 days. Only follow up if they exceed the time they initially gave to you. NEVER e-mail, because that gives them an easy-out if you didn't get the job so they can reply with "sorry for the delay.... we chose another candidate".

And don't do the thank you card. Total suck up move..... never did it and never will (public sector here... don't know if the privates like it).

In the private sector, vendors send compliment cards as a minimum. When it gets to the holidays they send all types of things to keep noticed....gps units, wine bottles, events tickets, etc.

If you come from a high pedigree or are possibly in a position where you have a lot of client facing opportunities, the compliment card may be quite effective. It subtly suggests you may have other offers too, that indeed you do engage with others.

I work between the public and private sector myself, and I find that flat out mailing of gifts is common place in the private sector, to the point where in public sector protocols I constantly have to appologetically refuse them!

Compliment cards dont breach any protocols, and are no where on the level of the **** kissing that goes on out there.

Barring that a phone call adds that personal touch, but more than one phone connection and you're hounding them, and if you miss connecting with them the first time, you maybe have 1 or 2 more chances to connect again, or else you'll come off like a jilted lover.

Keep in mind you have 1 or 2 more interviews....and especially salary negotiations coming up...so don't blow your cool.

 

[Mr.Azim]

Private Sector DOES have a lot of perks like that...... I'll admit to annoyingly have to turn away any and every gift that comes into the office.... baskets are easy because we can evenly/fairly distribute everything but a big purchase has to be returned.

Here's a common scenario for salary negotiations:

You: What is the salary for this position?
Them: Well, what would you think is a fair salary for your experience?
They will often find a way to make you decide the amount.

Wrong Answer = I want THIS MUCH

Right Answer (research required) = I have seen similar positions that meet my qualifications range between $X and $X (make it a 10K range). Make the lowest range the absolute minimum you're okay with.

It gives them flexibility without the fear of overpaying or thinking you're asking too much. Also, they'll recognize that you won't be taken advantage of and have a pair.

 

[IV.]

If it's a woman just send her some cool flowers or box of fine chocolates. If it was guy that interviewed you then send him a nice bottle from the LCBO.

You can also have one of those 4ft stuffed animals sent to them or be like a commoner and send an email.

Now if you don't get the job, go to one of those Chinese sites that offer free shipping and buy 52 items that cost $1 each. Now, ship one to them every week thanking them very much for their time.

You can also hire a singing hot dog person and send them to the office.

You have options, now hop to it.

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