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It may have been a long process. Weeks or months of submitting resumes, only to finally get a call for an interview. You researched the company, prepared as much as possible, and have finished your interview – you feel great. But…now what?

Following up is critical to your job search success!

Following up after an interview is one of the most important parts of the job search process. Here are some tips for following up, designed to help you land your next great job:

1. Don’t wait until it’s over!
Ask for business cards from each person you interacted with during your interview, so that you have correct titles and contact information. At the interview conclusion, ask the interviewer when you should expect to hear back. By setting expectations in the interview, you are showing interest and engagement, and are opening the door to further communication.

2. Politeness counts!
You gathered all those business cards, now put them to use. Traditionally, most people recommended sending handwritten notes; however, that’s not necessarily the case any more. Hiring managers are busy, and might not welcome more clutter in their workspaces. A short, clear email gives you an opportunity to reinforce the positive impression you left, and also gives you an opportunity to mention any additional experience or qualifications you may have missed during the interview.

3. Give your recruiter a call.
Are you working with an employment agency in Atlanta? Call your recruiter as soon as possible after your interview. The interviewer will likely be calling your recruiter after the interview is over, so you’ll want to get a jump ahead by calling to give all the details of your (successful!) interview to the recruiter.

4. Try to avoid any calls.
Hiring managers are busy, and hiring can be a stressful, time-consuming process. If the interviewer told you to call or expect follow-up within a specified length of time, a call may be appropriate. Should your interviewer have suggested a time to follow up, wait a few days after the anticipated date, then make one call only.

5.  Hang in there.
It can feel like forever when you’re waiting to hear back about a job. For employers, hiring can seem to take forever too, or other business priorities can arise, further pushing back the actual hiring decision.  And sometimes, it just takes employers a long time to make a hire. If you were prepared and engaged during your interview and followed up appropriately, relax, be patient, and let your qualifications speak for themselves.

You’ve made it this far, so don’t let inappropriate follow-up spoil your chances of landing your next job. But, restraint, politeness, and professionalism can go a long way in helping you secure your next career opportunity.  Need help fine-tuning your resume or marketing your skills? SelecSource can help you find your next job in the Greater Atlanta area.