Have you ever experienced an amazing interview only to wait and wait for weeks for the hiring manager to get back in touch with you? Sure, this happens all the time because companies are overwhelmed with their recruitment programs and often don’t have the manpower to respond promptly.

The good news is that you don’t necessarily have to sit around by the phone waiting for some kind of decision from the hiring company. Instead, you can be proactive about your job search and follow up with them.

The benefits of following up after the interview include:

• Getting an update on the status of the job opening and if you are still in the running or not.
• Understanding more about the company processes to gauge if you actually want to work there.
• Not disappearing into oblivion or being forgotten as an eligible candidate by the hiring manager.

So, now that you know that it’s perfectly okay to follow up after the interview, the question is how? Luckily, we have the answers! Here’s some tips for reaching out after the interview with tactfulness.

Send a written thank you note immediately after the interview.

Before you even leave the parking lot of the building where you’ve had the interview, take the time to jot a personal thank you note in a professional looking card for the recruiter you met with. Keep it simple, with something about how much it was a pleasure meeting with them, you thank them for their time, and that you look forward to hearing back from them soon with a decision. Drop it in the nearest mailbox so they get it within 24 hours. This nice touch is impressive and appreciated by most recruiters, plus it makes you stick out in their minds.

Wait at least 3 days before contacting the recruiter by phone/email.

Before you start a pattern of annoying the recruiter with your follow-ups, remember that they are extremely busy people who deal with a ton of people every week. They also may have to check your references and perform other administrative tasks before they can call you back. Wait 3-4 days and then make a quick call to their office, or send them an email. Again, keep it short and indicate you are patiently awaiting their hiring decision, offering to provide them with any additional information they may need from you.

Schedule a regular update call to the recruiter at 7 day intervals.

Now comes the fun part. If the recruiter indicates they intend to contact you on a certain date, then you will heed well to wait until then to follow up. If not, then demonstrate your patience and professional courtesy by waiting to call them at one-week intervals from your last contact. Try to connect with them on less busy days, like Tuesday-Thursday for a better response. Let them know you are still interested and interviewing for employment opportunities so they know you are a candidate in demand.

Take heed, it can take up to 6 to 8 weeks for a recruiter to make an offer of employment. While you are waiting, why not take on some temporary assignments to keep a paycheck rolling in and your skills fresh? Who knows, you may even end up getting offered a perm job this way too.

If you are looking for employment agencies near you, contact us today.