The Job Search Followup Guide You Can't Live Without
June 04, 2009 (1:15PM) by Brianna Raymond, CPRW
Job searching is time-consuming and tricky, but what can be even more complex is figuring out when the right time is to follow up on each action you take toward landing that next job.
That's where a schedule comes in handy. Use these guidelines to take the guesswork out of finding the right time to contact employers after each step in your job search.
| Job Search Event |
Follow Up Time |
| After Submitting Your Resume |
On the date you indicated in your cover letter, or after 1 week.
Don't be pushy; respect their time. Just verify that they got your resume, then reiterate your interest, ask about the status of the hiring process, and find out if and when to follow up again.
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| After a Phone Interview |
Within 24 hours.
During the phone interview, ask for the person's name and e-mail, then send a thank-you e-mail.
If you scheduled an in-person interview during this time, consider sending an e-mail the day before to verify the time and place of the interview, the names and titles of the interviewers, and to let the employer know you're looking forward to meeting them.
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| After the First Interview |
Within 24 hours.
Get business cards from each interviewer and send them separate thank-you e-mails. Highlight the parts of the interview you found most interesting, and clarify any points you believe need more explanation.
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| After the Second Interview |
Within 24 hours.
Again, send thank-you e-mails to each interviewer, expressing your interest in the position and excitement about the next step in the process.
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| After Receiving a Job Offer |
By their specified deadline, or within approximately 72 hours.
This is a personal preference. The employer might give you a deadline to provide an answer, but usually a response within a few days is acceptable.
If you need more time to weigh other offers, make that clear when the offer is presented.
Note: If you know you want the job and are pleased with the terms of the offer, go ahead and accept it immediately. But if you are not pleased with the offer and plan to negotiate the terms or reject it completely, it's best to let them know as soon as possible.
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These are some general guidelines for figuring out the proper times to follow up on your actions. Every job-search scenario is different, so if you have a question about a particular situation, please ask below!
RELATED LINKS
Why the Post-Interview Waiting Game Takes So Damn Long
The Liberation of a Structured Job Search Strategy
Brianna, May I add to your marvelous followup guide blogpost.
While We wade, wait, and navigate through the resume-interview-joboffer process, We must continue to prospect and troll for unchartered job opportunities.
That way, we won't become TOO emotionally attached to getting a response from the hiring authority. This continuous-prospecting mindset allows us to 'Let Go!' Great blogpost...
Thanks for your input! I agree, no search is complete until you get that job offer (obviously). :)
The tips that are written here are helpful especially for those who are done with their interviews. The tips covered how to's before and after the interview, and it is great to know that it is very important to send a thank you note after the interview.
This kind of gesture is very unusual so, the interviewer will definitely appreciate this one. Thank you for this post, it will help job hunters on their way to their dream job.
How do you send a thank you letter after your interview, if they only have a phone number?
Hi SJ,
If the place truly has just a phone number, then you can express your gratitude over the phone. Otherwise, you can call to find out what the mailing address is and mail a printed thank-you.
Got the phone interview, was asked to come in for a formal interview with design director and human resources person---lasted 2 hours. this was tuesday--sent thank you cards next day, now it is friday--do i follow up with an e-mail to ask about progress. have not been contacted.
Hey Fred: If the interview was on Tuesday and you haven't heard anything yet, then I'd suggest waiting until next Tuesday (which would be a week after the interview) to follow up again.
This is where the game gets tricky!
Did they end the interview with an action plan? Did they give you any info on what the next step would be or when they plan on getting back to you?
Is there a way to follow up on resumes sent through automated sites? For instance, large companies may have a website where the resumes are sent fairly blind, with the old "apply now" and "attach resume" buttons but no addresses, names, phone numbers. Big job posting sites are the same. Ideas?
Had one interview with HR 8/18/09 and then called back 2 weeks later for interview with hiring manager on 9/2/09. Sent thank you's to both the next day. Waited until 9/14/09 to email HR and manager to see what progress had taken place. I received an email from HR rep. on 9/16 stating that they had not made a decision yet but the manager was very impressed with my qualifications and that they would be in touch soon. I waited until 9/28 and emailed again stating that I hated to be a pest but was still wondering if a decision had been made. Received another email from HR on 10/1 stating that I was not a pest, and that they were still in the first round of interviews and that they would contact me soon and the mgrs schedule was really tricky. It is now 10/08 and I still have not heard anything. When I look at the online posting, the postition is still there. Am I waisting my time or should I be more patient? When should I email them again or should I not? HELP, is it time to move on? I know when I was doing the hiring or trying to fill a position, I always made that my priority and made the decision within 2 weeks. I guess times are really changing. I think 2 months sounds pretty extensive especially when you are the one waiting for a job!
Paula: It sounds like you've done your part of following up and it's in the company's hands now. There could have been a hiring freeze (which is likely in this job market), or they might not have found the perfect candidate yet (and they're jerks for dragging you along). I would suggest moving on to other opportunities! Good luck.
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