Post-Interview Follow Up Tips: After The Thank You Note

Candidates often ask me, “Post-interview, how long should I wait AFTER I send the thank you note to contact the hiring manager again? What should I say? Should I call or email again?“

The post-interview follow up period can feel like the trickiest of situations for candidates. Push too hard, and you’ll annoy them. Don’t push, and you risk not looking like a go-getter. If you’re working with a recruiter, the recruiter will do the calling to see what’s up. But if you’re going after this job on your own, then it’s all up to you.

I put this question to my LinkedIn group to see what the experts think. (Yet another reason why LinkedIn groups are so valuable.) I got some fabulous answers from business leaders in management and HR, and wanted to share them with you.

The VAST majority of those who replied said that candidates can and should avoid that whole awkward situation by being direct in the first place. Ask about the time-frame for the hiring decision while you are still in the interview: “When do you expect to make a decision?” or “What are the next steps?” That’s a move that feels bold to some candidates, but it’s a really important step that’s going to tell you where you stand and what you can expect. And it shows the hiring manager that you really do care about landing this job. (Watch my video on How to Close for the Job to see how to ask for the job, or at least find out when they’re going to make a decision.)

At the very least, you should ask if it’s OK to call if you haven’t heard anything in say, a week. Or just ask them when it’s OK to call to follow up. Then call. ALWAYS follow through with whatever you’ve said you will do. They will be paying attention.

If you’ve gotten out of the interview and haven’t asked, then here’s what to do (although here’s also where they start to differ a little more in their opinions): wait no more than a week, and then call. Or email, and tell them you’ll call. If they tell you they haven’t reached a decision, ask if it’s OK for you to call again in another week.

Overall, the hiring managers who responded seemed much less concerned with being “hassled” by potential employees than with finding someone with initiative who really wanted to work for them. So, aim for politeness, directness, and clarity, and you should be just fine.