Job Hunt: Following up after an interview

TEMPE, AZ - We want to help those of you on the job hunt.

The Arizona economy may be on its way to a slow recovery, but the unemployment rate in our state remains sky high.

Each week, we highlight real mistakes made during real job interviews, plus other job hunt dilemmas, and offer real tips to help turn those situations around.

Have you had your own bad experiences? Do you know someone else who has shared a bad experience with you? E-mail us a summary at rebecca.thomas@abc15.com , and we'll track down some advice from our expert for one of our future posts.

This week's job hunt scenario:

I am never sure what I am expected to do once an interview is over. How soon should I expect to hear about the job? How do I follow-up? When is it okay to call the employer?

This week's advice:
By: Karen E. Lamb
Assistant Director, Career Advising and Curriculum
Arizona State University

Hopefully the employer answers these questions at the conclusion of the selection interview. It is customary for the interviewer to update you on the next steps in the hiring process. Typically, this includes information such as how much longer interviews are being conducted and when a decision is expected to be reached. If this is not communicated to you, you should feel free to pose these questions, as well as to ask for a business card so you can follow-up as appropriate.

Among other things, throughout the job search process, you probably will spend a large amount of time waiting to hear from employers! As such, it is an important part of effective job search strategy to know when to contact the employer and when to wait patiently. Unless you have a legitimate reason to telephone the employer, refrain from doing so. You have already expressed your strong interest in the position during the interview; telephoning the employer before the decision date serves no purpose and this interruption to their business day may, in fact, be an annoyance to the hiring authority.

However, after the interview, there are several reasons to contact the employer in writing.

As soon as possible after the interview, express your appreciation for the time and consideration extended to you during the interview. If a decision will be reached quickly, your best option may be to email the individuals who were involved in the selection interview. If time permits, your appreciation is better expressed in a formal business letter or a hand-written note. Whatever version you prefer, communicating your thanks demonstrates your courtesy and thoughtfulness. It also presents another opportunity to get your name in front of the recruiters and to remind them of the qualifications that make you the best fit for the position.

Additional reasons to contact an employer include answering questions, providing further information on your background and sharing professional information, such as a sample of your work or an article on best practices in your career field.

The appropriate time to call the hiring manager is once the decision date arrives. This conversation presents another chance to underscore your interest in the position and ask for an update on the status of the search. If a decision is still pending, following-up confirms that you remain interested in the position and following-up at the appropriate time reinforces the employer’s impression of you as a savvy professional.

If your story ends happily with a job offer, the employer will send a written job offer. Signing this letter serves as a formal acceptance of the position and the terms and conditions of employment: such as salary, benefits and start date. Throughout your job search, your appropriate follow-up is a courtesy that demonstrates your professionalism and reassures the employer that hiring you is the right decision.

Karen E. Lamb, M.A.; M.S.I.R.

Karen E. Lamb is a career development professional with over twenty years experience as an administrator in higher education. Her substantial experience in career development includes positions as the Director of Career Services for Elgin Community College in Illinois and Assistant Director of Career Advising and Curriculum for Arizona State University. Karen is certified as a Global Career Development Facilitator.

Karen has served as adjunct faculty teaching career development courses for a number of colleges and universities. In her career, she has delivered countless workshops and presentations on career-related topics.